How to Deal with Fleas on Cats: Prevention, Eradication, and Differences from Ticks

Living with a cat, you likely worry about "flea and tick control."

Ideally, you want to prevent fleas and ticks from getting on your cat in the first place. But what should you do if they do get attached? Also, are there effective ways or medicines to prevent them?

In this article, we will explain flea and tick control for cats, including prevention methods, removal techniques, and symptoms to watch for if your cat has been bitten.

Basic knowledge of fleas and ticks

Both fleas and ticks are small parasites that feed on blood. Fleas have six legs and are insects, while ticks have eight legs and are related to spiders.

Being bitten can cause not only itching but also the risk of infection with viruses and other parasites. Some of these can even be transmitted to pet owners...

First, as a foundation, we will introduce the characteristics and differences between fleas and ticks.

About fleas

The flea that infests cats is called the "cat flea." They are about 1.5mm long, but can grow up to 3mm after a blood meal.

While cat flea larvae do not feed on blood, the adults bite to feed and then lay eggs. When conditions such as temperatures above 13°C and comfortable humidity are met, they can multiply explosively.

About ticks

The ticks that infest cats are "hard ticks" and "itch mites."

Hard tick larvae also feed on blood. They bite with powerful jaws and continue feeding until they grow from 2–4mm to over 1cm in length.

Itch mites are almost invisible to the naked eye, but they dig tunnels into the cat's skin to live.

Symptoms of flea and tick bites

What symptoms occur if a cat is infested with fleas or ticks? Many people may not realize there are symptoms other than itching.

To catch your cat's discomfort as early as possible, it is important to know the symptoms of flea and tick bites.

Symptoms from cat fleas

Bites from cat fleas cause itching and dermatitis. Furthermore, the saliva of the cat flea can act as an allergen, leading to flea allergy dermatitis.

They also transmit infectious diseases such as "tapeworm infection" and "cat-scratch disease."

Symptoms from hard ticks

An infestation of hard ticks can lead to not only itching and dermatitis but also anemia.

Additionally, since they transmit various bacteria and viruses, they are also dangerous to pet owners.

"Mycoplasma haemofelis," "Lyme disease," and "Q fever" are some of the diseases they transmit, as well as the potentially life-threatening "SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome)."

For more information on tick-borne infections, please refer to theMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare website.

Symptoms from itch mites

Because itch mites live by forming tunnels inside the skin, they cause intense pain. Furthermore, symptoms such as itching, hair loss, scabs, and dandruff can be seen.

They often start on the head, face, and ears, causing "scabies." Additionally, mites that live in the ears are called "ear mites," which cause "otitis externa" and "ear scabies," which present as symptoms within the ear.

How to remove fleas and ticks

When you see fleas or ticks on your cat, your first instinct is to remove them immediately.

However, be careful, as improper removal can worsen the condition or lead to infectious disease.

If you find fleas or ticks, see a veterinarian to have flea control medication prescribed, such as oral medicine, sprays, or spot-on treatments applied to the back of the neck.

Flea removal

If you see black specks on your cat’s skin, they might be cat flea feces. If you put them on a wet tissue and they turn red, observe carefully.

If you find a flea, do not crush it. Due to the risk of eggs scattering or catching an infection, handle them without crushing, such as by submerging them in water with a drop of mild detergent or trapping them on adhesive tape.

Fleas are vulnerable to water, so as first aid, you can also use flea shampoo. After shampooing, use a flea comb to catch and remove any remaining fleas.

In any case, do not make a self-diagnosis; go to a veterinary clinic.

Also, if you find even one flea, there is a possibility that more are hiding in the room. Vacuum thoroughly and use a flea and tick insecticide spray. Since fleas can go from egg to adult in about two weeks, continue thorough cleaning for at least three weeks.

Hard tick removal

Hard ticks bury their jaws deep into the skin, so they do not detach easily. Pulling them off by force can leave the jaw behind in the skin, as only the body will come off.

Like fleas, crushing them is not recommended because of the high risk of bacterial or viral infection.

If you find a hard tick, do not touch it; take your cat to a veterinary clinic to have it professionally removed.

Can flea collars remove them?

Commercially available flea collars are designed for repellency, not for eradication. While they may weaken fleas, they cannot eliminate them. Also, note that they are not effective against ticks.

For more details, please refer to the article below.

Flea and tick prevention

To protect your cat from fleas and ticks, be sure to follow these three preventative measures.

1. Keep them strictly indoors
2. Keep the indoor environment clean
3. Use preventative medication

Keeping your cat strictly indoors reduces the risk of fleas and ticks.

Additionally, keeping their living environment clean contributes to flea and tick control. Regularly wash cat beds and blankets.

And most importantly, use flea and tick preventative medication. Spot-on treatments that you apply to the back of the neck are easy and effective.

While "Frontline Plus" is well-known, we recommend "Revolution" or "Broadline," which can also prevent heartworm at the same time.

To protect your cat from frightening diseases, visit your veterinarian at least once a year and make sure to take flea and tick control measures.

Summary

Fluffy cats provide a comfortable environment for fleas and ticks. Even if they are kept strictly indoors, they are not immune to these parasites, so regular prevention is necessary.

Spot-on preventative medication is convenient for flea and tick control. Since it only requires applying it to the back of the neck once a month, it places little burden on your cat.

The necessary preventative medicine and the duration of the treatment period depend on your cat’s living environment, so please be sure to consult your veterinarian.

To ensure you don't forget the once-a-month schedule, keep a note on your calendar or in acat-specific health diary.

You are the only one who can protect your cat's health. Why not check for fleas and ticks while brushing or cuddling with your cat?

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