Especially on warm days, there is always a risk of a cat catching fleas. If you want to spare your cat the bloodsuckers, you should take protective measures.
Sooner or later, almost every cat gets fleas. Be it through contact with other cats or by roaming in the garden or park. As a rule, only indoor cats are really spared - and those whose owners take preventative measures in good time. A range of very well tolerated and effective preparations are now available from vets for this purpose. The so-called development inhibitors, for example, prevent a flea infestation in the cat in the first place if used regularly and in good time. The product is usually mixed regularly into the cat's food from the beginning of the season, thus preventing fleas from reproducing.
If the cat already has fleas
In some cases, a clear flea infestation is already present, recognizable by flea droppings in the fur: place the cat on a sheet of white paper or in the bathtub and comb it with a flea comb. Moisten any dark grains that fall to the floor with water. If red streaks form, this is flea excrement, as it always contains blood.
In this case, so-called adulticides should be used. These are agents that kill fleas quickly and permanently. They must be applied once a month, usually in the form of a solution that is dripped directly onto the cat's skin. If a flea infestation is suspected, you should not put off this treatment.
Fighting flea infestation
The longer the cat has had fleas, the greater the likelihood that eggs and larvae have already been laid. In addition, less than 10% of fleas live on the animal, the rest are in the environment, especially in frequently used sleeping and lying areas. These areas should always be treated and thoroughly vacuumed and cleaned. For long-term prevention, a development inhibitor can be used during and after treatment with the adulticide. It is best to discuss which measures make sense in your case with your vet.