Cat Fleas
 | "" If you are allergic to cats, then you will probably also be allergic to flea saliva, which is one of the most allergenic substances known to man." |
Cat Fleas are a common thing, especially when you let your cats roam outside. But it's usually having contact with an infested animal over a period of time or a household with a flea infestation that will give your cat fleas.
When your cats are scratching themselves a lot, behind the ears for example, then there is a good chance that they have fleas.
You can check their fur and you will sometimes see a flea trying to escape from you. It is nearly impossible to pick one of those guys up without pulling out some cat hair. Fortunately, there are easier ways to handle the situation.
The big question is, do fleas pose a health problem or are they just annoying?
- If a small kitten is infested with a lot of fleas, it can become anemic or even die from the blood loss, even though each flea will only take a tiny amount of blood.
- If you are allergic to cats, then you will probably also be allergic to flea saliva, which is one of the most allergenic substances known to man.
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Fleas can cause dermatitis in cats, leaving them with major irritations and possibly hair loss. - Fleas can carry tapeworms from one animal to another, and sometimes even to humans.
- Humans are not a host for cat fleas, but they can certainly be bitten by them.
Now to the facts:
The cat flea is a wingless insect that forms colonies on a host and feeds on its blood. Female fleas can lay 30-40 eggs in just one day (crazy, right?). The eggs will fall off your pet wherever they go. If you have an indoor cat, they will distribute the flea eggs throughout your home. The eggs will hatch after about 3 days. The larvae will try to stay away from light, usually in carpet pile. There they build a cocoon for 5-14 days. When they come out of the cocoon, you've got a big problem.