As summer approaches and the weather gets nice, your cat or kitten will want to enjoy the warmer weather and fresh spring scent outside with you and your family.
And as pleasant as it is to have your family and pet playing together and enjoying each other, it’s not so nice when those adorable pets bring in unwanted visitors in the shape of fleas.
Cat fleas are about the size of a pinhead, with six legs (the last pair enlarged quite a bit so they can hop about easily), are brown and flat from side to side. Fleas thrive best in temperatures that range from 70 F to 85o F, with humidity at or higher than 70%.
Fleas on your pet and in your home will create a lot of extra work for you and aggravation for both you and your pet.
Humans cannot act as a host for fleas, but we can drag flea eggs into the house on our shoes or clothing.
Fleas are usually more of a nuisance than a danger. However, be aware fleas are the means by which tapeworms are carried from one animal to another, including humans.
But a little bit of prevention can go a long way! Once you get fleas in your home, they are very difficult to get rid of.
Here’s what to do to *prevent* fleas from taking up residence in your home:
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Make sure you use a quality flea product for your pet...the kind that is taken internally is good (make sure its safe for your small kitten before you apply the product). Program has worked well for me and is recommended by veterinarians.
- Another veterinarian approved flea and tick product is Frontline for Cats , which comes in a liquid ampule that is placed on the back of your pet's neck, between the shoulder blades. It is absorbed into the skin and controls systemically for a month.
- Vacuum your carpets, furniture and pet bedding frequently.
If fleas have already invaded your home, you may need to upgrade your war tactics to get rid of the pesky critters. This may include:
- Sprays or powders for isolated home infestation. If fleas are already in your home, you’ll want to treat the carpeting, upholstery, baseboards, bedding, and under and around furniture with Fleabusters RX for Fleas Plus for Dogs and Cats .
- If you want to make sure all those pesky critters are done for, you may want to aim for a more thorough method to get under the baseboards and between cracks in the wall. In this case use an indoor flea and tick fogger like Hartz 4-in-1 Flea and Tick Home Fogger . You may need to indulge in a flea comb to help comb the fleas and their eggs out of your pets fur. 4 Paws Cat Ultra Flea Comb is a good one.
- If a serious indoor infestation occurs, you may have to consider treating the yard area, where your pet wanders, with an outdoor fogger. Areas where mice, squirrels, raccons, chipmunks and other rodents or birds nest or crawl can harbor cat fleas and flea eggs.
All of the products highlighted above can also be found at Flea and Tick Pest Control under General Store .
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