Can fleas make cats sick?

Every cat owner knows that cats are susceptible to fleas, but what many cat owners don’t know is that flea infestation is not always obvious. It can often be difficult to tell if your cat has a flea problem. Our main concern here is, can fleas make cats sick?

The answer is yes, cats can get sick from fleas. Cats can get sick from fleas which can lead to anemia and flea allergy dermatitis. Fleas also transmit illnesses like tapeworm and bartonellosis . Cats can receive a number of illnesses from a single bite from one flea.

One reason for this is that the flea bites the cat and injects bacteria into its blood. Cats with fleas will scratch themselves and itchy spots may appear on their skin. The cat’s immune system may not be able to fight off the infection from the bite. To prevent this from happening, it is important to treat your cat for all of these possible diseases.

What are cats fleas?

Cat Flea is the most common type of flea that infests cats and other animals. It is a parasite that sucks blood from its host and then lays eggs on them as well. Cat fleas do not lay eggs on humans, but they can be transferred to us by our pets. They may also lay eggs in our carpets and furniture. They are most commonly found on cats, but they can be found on dogs as well.

How can cats get fleas?

Cats have a tendency to pick up fleas from their environments, such as the floor or other pets, and as such, it is not uncommon for people’s homes to also become infested with them. The cat may host these pests in its fur and brush them off onto carpets and furniture, where they will latch onto humans as well as pets.

Transmission of fleas can occur through direct contact with infected animals or their bedding, carpeting, or furniture. Fleas may also be transmitted by inhaling flea dirt which contains the dried blood and feces of an infected animal. Aside from direct transmission, a cat may contract a flea infestation if it spends a significant amount of time outside and comes in contact with other animals that have fleas.

Can fleas make cats sick

Many people believe that cats are immune to fleas because they often groom themselves. On the contrary, cats can still be infested with fleas.

1. Anemia

Flea bites can cause anemia in cats, which is a condition that prevents blood cells from carrying oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. Anemia is a condition in which the body does not make enough healthy red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells, the body cannot carry adequate oxygen to all of the tissues.

Flea bites are one possible cause for this condition because fleas inject saliva into their prey when they bite them. The saliva contains toxins that can lead to anemia.

2. Flea Allergy Dermatitis

A cat can get flea allergy dermatitis when having fleas problems. Fleas are tiny insects that live on the body of the animal. They feed on the blood of their host and they will inject their saliva into the cat’s skin. The saliva contains proteins that can cause severe itching, inflammation, and other skin reactions. A cat may scratch excessively to relieve the itchiness or irritation caused by these chemicals or lick itself raw.

3. Bartonellosis

Bartonellosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas. It has been found in cats, dogs, and other mammals. If left untreated, it can become fatal. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting, pain in the muscles and joints, and red blood cells in the urine. The most common form of treatment includes taking antibiotics to reduce the risk of complications.

4. Tapeworm

Many people are unaware that cat fleas can cause tapeworms in cats, but when they are unaware of the problem, their cats are at risk. The tapeworm is carried by cat fleas, which can attack any host. They don’t discriminate between dogs or humans, and they do not bite in order to spread the parasite to other animals—they simply lay eggs on it.

How to know if my cat has fleas?

We already know now how can fleas make cats sick, so how can we know if a cat is having a fleas problem?

1. Excessive scratching and licking

A cat can lick or scratch to relieve the itch of a flea bite. This is why scratching is a good indicator that your cat has fleas. Preventing fleas on your cat starts with knowing the signs to watch out for, which include excessive scratching and licking. You should also know what type of environment you are providing for your pet because cats that live indoors pose an increased risk of getting fleas than those who live outdoors.

2. Showing skin irritation

Many of the common skin problems cats experience are actually due to fleas. Cats can have an allergic reaction to flea saliva, which is injected into their skin during a flea bite. Fleas also excrete a chemical that irritates the cat’s skin. A cat scratch on the carpet or on oneself may be a sign of a cat scratching due to either an allergic reaction or irritation caused by fleas.

3. Hair loss

If your cat has a lot of hair loss, it might be time to get them checked for fleas. Most people don’t think about their cat’s health when they have a lot of hair loss, but this can indicate that your cat is dealing with an infestation of fleas. Some signs you may notice are irritability, depression, and scratching. These small pests can cause a lot of stress on your pet and may even lead to a different type of infection.

4. Showing excessive grooming

Many cat owners are unaware that excessive grooming is one of the most common signs of a cat with fleas. Flea saliva can travel through the animal’s bloodstream and cause an allergic reaction that leads to excessive grooming, which in turn causes hair loss. A flea-infested cat can also be more aggressive or stressed.

5. Has black speck in bedding or fur

When a cat has a black speck in the cat’s fur or bedding then it could indicate that the cat is having flea. Fleas are not always large, dark brown insects. Fleas can also be small black specks on the skin and hair of your cat.

6. Pale and lethargy

Every cat owner’s worst nightmare is to find out their precious pet has anemia. Cats who have anemia will typically show extreme lethargy and will stop eating much like human beings with the condition. The mouth of the cat also appears pale which indicates a lack of red blood cell production in the bone marrow. There are many causes for this condition that range from disease, parasites, and vitamin deficiency.

7. A lot of shaking their head and rubbing

Many people think cats shake their heads and rub against objects because they are trying to remove something like dirt or dust. However, there is another reason for this behavior that many times go unnoticed. It can be a sign of fleas on the cat’s neck. Flea saliva can make the cat’s skin itchy, swollen, irritated, dry, or even cause secondary skin infections. This not only looks uncomfortable but it also doesn’t feel good to the cat.

How to get rid of cat fleas

This is a difficult question to answer, but I can give you some advice. First, it’s important to consider what type of cat flea infestation you’re dealing with. If the infestation sounds light and your pet doesn’t seem to be suffering from flea bites, it might not require any treatment at all.

There are various ways on how to get rid of fleas on cats:

1. Using a spray that kills the fleas.

Flea bites are annoying for cats and humans, both. There are many different ways to control fleas on your pets. One way is to use a spray that kills the fleas on your cat. This is an easy solution without any chemicals, such as insecticides. The spray can be found at most pet stores and is relatively inexpensive.

2. Using a special comb that gets rid of the fleas and their eggs.

You can get rid of the cat’s flea by using a special comb. A cat flea comb removes eggs or larvae from the animal’s fur. You can also use a comb to remove adult fleas by holding the comb close to the animal’s skin and brushing quickly in small movements.

3. Using a special shampoo.

If you have a cat and you live in close proximity with the animal, it is inevitable that your cat will get fleas. It’s just a matter of time before the pesky little pests take over your household. If you’re tired of scratching and itching from these irritants, there are special shampoos that you can use to get rid of them. A popular shampoo for this purpose is called Bio-Spot.

4. Use flea dedicated medicine

The nitenpyram pill can kill cats flea in 30 minutes, and a spinosad chewable option is a great option that can be used before fleas lay their eggs. This chewable option is very effective and protects for one month. The other advantage of this product is that it can be used on other animals including dogs.

5. Make sure your house is clean

Keeping your house clean is the best way to make sure that you don’t get bitten by an insect-like cat flea. Cats, for example, can carry fleas and even give them to their owners through the fur on the carpet; these fleas will bite humans leaving itchy sores that last for days. If you vacuum regularly, clean your furniture with white vinegar, and thoroughly clean the carpets then you will be able to keep the cat flea at bay.

Conclusion on can fleas make cats sick

In conclusion, a flea can be very harmful to your cat. It is important to keep your house clean, vacuum, and remove the fleas when you see them. Flea treatment should be done in conjunction with regular medications to ensure that your cat stays healthy.

Cat’s fleas can cause many different health issues for your cat. Some of these include anemia, flea allergy dermatitis, bartonellosis, and tapeworm. If you notice any unusual symptoms in your pet, it may be best to take them to the vet so the illness can be treated right away.

There are many treatment options for cat fleas. There are both over-the-counter and prescription options to choose from. The best option is to consult with your veterinarian about what is best for your cat.

More read: Why do cats scratch their ears?

Resource: https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/flea-prevention#1