Fleas are a big problem and when it comes to your kitty, the
situation becomes even more difficult due to the irritation caused by these
pesky parasites. The problem is that your cat scratches and bites itself, which
results in skin irritation due to the presence of fleas. The most important
thing as a cat owner is to recognize that your tabby is actually suffering due
to fleas. This write-up will give you enough ideas about that along with the
serious effects that fleas can have on her.
Before beginning with the central topic, it is very
important to understand what exactly are fleas and how do they affect your
furry friend? Fleas are bloodsucking parasites that are visible when you part
the fur of your kitty and scrutinize the skin with close scrutinization. These
pests have mighty back legs that enable them to jump and move easily through
the cat's fur. In order to confirm the presence of fleas on your feline, keep
the pet in an upright position. Keep a piece of white paper beneath her paws.
Try to rough up the coat. If you see dark things falling on the paper softly,
spray them with a demister bottle containing water.
In case, the dark things are bleeding on the paper with a
reddish stain, it means that these are flea dirt - the fecal matter of adult
fleas, that mainly is composed from your cat's dried blood. If sand and pepper
colored residue is present on the kitty's skin, it means that there are fleas
on her body. The white things that you see are nothing, but the flea eggs.
While the dark ones are dirt flea, upon which the freshly born larvae will soon
be fed.
Three Serious Effects Of Fleas On Cats
These pesky parasites can have adverse effects on your
feline along with other pets residing in the household. It also harms humans
that share the environment. A flea bite can cause irritation and itchiness in
cats. Certain felines are allergic to the saliva of fleas that can result in great
distress and discomfort in them. If your kitty is allergic to the flea bites,
she would bite the affected area, until the hairs come out and the area becomes
red and raw. It can even result in dermatitis, that can cause further
aggravation, if the itchiness does not go away.
Even dog tapeworm can lead to a flea infestation, as fleas
become host of these worms that get ingested by the feline, while grooming.
There are certain fleas that carry tapeworm cyst. The peculiar thing about
these tapeworms is that they grow in the intestine of the kitty, that can be
seen in the form of small worm segments close to the anus. This is the most
commonly found tapeworm form that can be seen in cats. It is mainly caused due
to fleas.
Human beings are also not spared by fleas. Young kitties get
painful and allergic reaction with the flea bite. The problem is that since
these pesky parasites have the ability to fly more than 12 inches. They can
swarm your feet and lower legs and ankles, while attacking you and sucking your
blood.
Since flea bites are extremely lethal for the health of your
kitty, it is important to get a good flea preventative treatment from the
market; to get rid of these irritating pests.