There is a lot of misinformation about fleas and flea treatment for cats. Let’s debunk 10 of the most common myths and set the record straight.
1. If my cat had fleas, I’d see them.
Not necessarily. Fleas are small parasites that move quickly through your cat’s fur, making them difficult to spot, especially in cats with thick or long fur. Cats also groom themselves frequently. You may never actually see an adult flea on your cat because they have already groomed and removed the flea. Instead, what you are likely to notice is your cat scratching a lot more than usual. You may also see black/brown specks of flea dirt especially around the base of the tail, back, head and ears, and evidence of skin irritation.
2. Indoor cats don’t get fleas.
Indoor cats can get fleas just as outdoor cats can. Fleas jump from one host to another and will hitchhike into your home on the backs of other pets, such as dogs, or even on human clothing and shoes. Whilst an indoor cat has a lower level of exposure to parasites and other nasties than cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, they are not without risk, especially if you have other pets or live in a flea-prone area.
3. I only need to treat my cat with fleas not the other pets in the household.
Unfortunately not true. Some pets are more sensitive to fleas than others so the outward signs are more obvious e.g. they’ll scratch constantly or have visibly irritated or flaky skin. If you only treat the cat that is constantly scratching, there’s a high probability they’ll be reinfested by the other pets in the household who are likely to have fleas, but are not showing the signs.
4. Natural remedies are safe and effective flea control methods.
Environmentally friendly products are increasingly popular and many cat owners prefer to take a natural approach to flea control and prevention. It’s important to note that the effectiveness of natural remedies can vary, and not all products may be safe for pets. Garlic for example is often recommended as a natural alternative to killing fleas, but it’s one of the human foods that are extremely toxic to cats and can lead to severe poisoning and death. Please do your research and consult with a veterinarian before using natural flea control methods to ensure they are safe and effective for your pets.
5. Flea prevention is only needed in warm weather.
Many cat owners stop flea treatment during the winter months under the mistaken impression that fleas are only a problem during summer. In Australia, the temperate climate and warm spring/autumn weather extends flea season to 9-10 months of the year, so flea prevention year-round is necessary. Fleas also find shelter and breed indoors where temperatures are warm and well-regulated all year round, even when it’s cold outside.
6. Fleas only cause itching and discomfort.
Fleas can cause more than just itchy skin. They are not just a nuisance, flea infestations can lead to severe health issues including flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, anaemia, and the potential transmission of Bartonella bacteria, which can cause cat scratch fever in both cats and humans.
7. One flea treatment is enough.
Fleas have a complex life cycle. Treating them once may kill any adult fleas, but it will not prevent reinfestation. To tackle a flea infestation, you’ll need to follow up with multiple treatments over a period of time to target the different life stages of the fleas, such as eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult fleas. Regular and consistent preventive measures are usually needed to successfully eradicate fleas from your pets and your home.
8. Cats groom themselves so they don’t need flea prevention.
Cats have rough tongues and groom themselves to remove loose fur and debris from their coats. During this process, they may inadvertently eliminate fleas from their fur. However, grooming alone is not an effective flea treatment for your cat. Ingesting fleas whilst grooming can also lead to other health issues such as tapeworms. So, flea prevention is essential to protect your cat from fleas.
9. Adult fleas die quickly once they are removed from the cat.
Fleas are resilient little parasites – they can survive for several days to weeks without a host. Fleas will also lay eggs that hatch into new fleas, which can reinfest your cat or other pets in the household. That’s why it’s important to treat both your cat and your living environment when you have a flea infestation.
10. Keeping my house clean prevents fleas.
If only it was that simple. Fleas can thrive in both clean and dirty home environments. Whilst an unclean home may provide conditions where flea larvae thrive, fleas can also be introduced into clean homes through various means such as other pets, wildlife (including fostered pets or rodents) or even on human shoes or clothing. Regardless of the cleanliness of your home, flea prevention is crucial for managing fleas.
Dispelling these myths and revealing the truth behind them, will hopefully help you to make an informed decision about the best approach to keeping your cats and home free of fleas.
