Fleas

Fleas are probably the most successful creatures on the planet in terms of reproduction. There are over 2,400 species. They are difficult to control for a variety of reasons. One female flea will produce 25,000 offspring in one month. An unfed adult can live for several months. The chemicals used to eradicate adult fleas have no effect on the eggs. Fleas are very good at mutating to resist new pesticides.

Fleas are a menace to cats! They cause allergic dermatitis, tapeworms, and anemia. Most of the eggs are not laid on the cat but in the cat's bedding, in the rug, and on the furniture. It is extremely difficult to eradicate them completely. The most you can hope for is to control them and to keep your cat reasonably comfortable during the warm, moist flea season.

The best way to control fleas is to remove them from your cat and your house. Take her to a groomer for the day and have her bathed with a veterinarian-approved flea shampoo. Spraying or dipping her with a residual pesticide has little or no lasting effect and it can be detrimental to her health. While she is out of the house, hire a company that uses a non-toxic product to spray the carpets and the furniture. These companies usually guarantee a flea-free home for one year.

From this point on, it is important for you to vacuum the carpets, the furniture, and the cat's bedding everyday. Place the cut-off end of a flea collar or a moth crystal into your vacuum cleaner bag to kill any vacuumed adult fleas. Vacuum the cat if she will let you! Groom her daily with a flea comb. Do not be surprised if you occasionally find a flea on her. She will bring them in from the outside if she is an indoor-outdoor cat. Remember, you cannot get rid of them, only control them.

Some cats are bothered more by the pesticides than they are by the fleas. Flea collars, sprays, powders, and shampoos are all loaded with pesticides. Beware of insecticide poisoning!

There are a lot of products on the market that claim to get rid of fleas. Flea collars, cedar shaving pet beds, garlic and yeast tablets, water/light traps, and ultra-sonic devices are among them. Research, however, has not shown them to be effective in ridding your cat and house of fleas.