Fleas often gather at the neck and shoulder blades of your pets. The base of the tail and along the back of the legs is a favorite hangout for them, too. Those are also places animals will bite to get to the fleas.
And unlike ticks that stay in one place, fleas run all over your cat's body. The most common places where you can find fleas include: Head and neck (ears, eyes, and under their collar) Legs (hind legs and armpits)
You might also see them on your carpets, your furniture, or even your own body and clothing. But even if you can't spot any fleas, there's still a few tell-tale signs to look out for. The most obvious one is scratching. All cats scratch now and then, but if your cat is scratching more than usual, they may have fleas.
Fleas like hiding in crevices. Their populations are more numerous in places where they can feed (like pet bedding and living rooms) and reproduce undisturbed (like lower-traffic areas or in carpeting). They also inhabit upholstery, furniture, and other common household furnishings, especially where they can stay warm.
How can you tell if a cat has fleas? The first place to check is the skin around the base of the tail or under the armpits and in the groin region. Look for tiny moving black dots and use a flea comb to help you pull out the fleas to confirm.
One female flea that has a host can infest your cat in as little as one week.
Check shady, moist areas outside for fleas with the sock test. They tend to hang out in areas the sun doesn't shine, as well as under porches, shrubs, and around trees. Once you find out where the fleas are hiding, you can start to treat your house and your yard to rid yourself of the pests.
After finding an animal or human host and taking a blood meal, adult fleas will mate and begin laying eggs in the fur and surroundings of the host. Eggs will hatch in one to ten days depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. After hatching from an egg, fleas enter their larval stage.
You should look to treat your home for the infestation as soon as you've taken care of your pet.
Comb your cat with a fine-toothed metal flea comb from head to tail several times a day. This will skim off adult fleas and their eggs and ease their itching. Then, dip the comb in a mixture of warm to hot water and liquid dish detergent to kill the fleas.
Additional Pets in the Home
The most common way for fleas to enter your household is on the family dog or another pet that comes inside from being outdoors. Cats can also get fleas from neighbor pets and local wildlife, such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, racoons, possums, squirrels, and skunks.
How do fleas reach your indoor cat? Almost any living creature or inanimate object can bring a flea into your home. Other pets such as dogs are obvious culprits, but fleas can also jump onto your clothes, shoes and bags and be inadvertently carried indoors that way.
You can usually cuddle and pet your cat immediately after receiving an oral flea prevention medication. Topical products can take a few hours to soak into the skin layer. Avoid petting your cat for 24-48 hours in the spot where you applied a topical medication.
When it has a host, an adult flea can live about 100 days. But how long can they live without a host? Those fleas typically live only one to two weeks. The entire lifespan of a flea, from egg to adulthood, can last a few weeks or even a few months.
Can Fleas Live in Your Bed? These pests infest multiple areas in homes, especially mattresses, cushions, and carpeting. Pets transfer fleas to the beds and furniture where they sleep. From here, the insects quickly spread around the house.
In just 30 days, 10 female fleas can multiply to over a quarter million new fleas in different life stages. Female fleas start producing eggs within 24 to 48 hours after taking their first blood meal and can lay up to 50 eggs per day.
You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.
It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by using monthly flea treatments. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.
Fleas are most active around sunset, and least active at sunrise. At dusk, there's an increase in movement, egg production, and respiration. Fleas are never completely inactive. They produce eggs and feces through all hours of the day.
One way to detect fleas in your house is to throw on a pair of white cotton socks and walk around. Higher socks are better because you'll be less likely to get bitten. Walk around carpeted areas for around ten minutes. If fleas are present, they will jump up to hitch a ride.
See your vet for advice on the best flea products that will work for your pet. Treat quickly: If you spot fleas on your pet, treat them quickly, as they can give your cat or dog tapeworms and diseases (make sure you worm your pet as well).
Your cat's constant nibbling and licking may lead to noticeable patches of hair loss, tiny crusts (called miliary dermatitis by your veterinarian), and reddened, irritated skin. Fleas may also cause skin allergies and can transmit other parasites, such as tapeworms, to your cat.
To prevent fleas you should treat your cat for fleas monthly when there is no infestation present, so you can ensure that your cat remains flea-free throughout their life. No matter what type of pet you own, whether it's a cat, dog, or rabbit, regular flea treatments are important.