Fleas are a very common parasite and have been a universal pest for some time. And modern centrally heated homes provide a veritable haven for fleas. Flea infestation is a major cause of skin disease in cats of any age, so prompt effective treatment is desirable.
The first symptom in cats is usually repeated scratching, especially around the areas at the back of the head and neck, and the base of the spine. This is usually seen with the advent of spring or summer as warmer weather encourages fleas to return from hibernation.
If you suspect your cat is infested, then although you may not actually see fleas, you should see flea dirt in the cat’s fur. This will appear as small black specks in the areas you notice the cat scratching most.
One way of determining that the small black specks are in fact flea dirt is to comb the cat and collect some of the suspected flea dirt. Then, place it on a slightly damp, clean white cloth or paper tissue. The flea dirt is in fact deep red since it is largely blood. When the suspected flea dirt falls on to the cloth or paper, if it turns red as it comes in to contact with the dampness, then it is very likely to be the confirmation that the cat is infested.
In addition to the dirt, and depending on the extent of the infestation, you may also occasionally see fleas in the cat’s fur. Although this is not always as easy as it sounds as fleas are very fast movers.
Once you have confirmed that your cat is suffering a flea infestation, you should proceed to investigate appropriate treatments.
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