How do fleas harm cats? - briefly
Flea bites trigger itching, skin inflammation, and allergic dermatitis, while heavy infestations can lead to anemia and transmit pathogens such as Bartonella or tapeworms. These effects compromise a cat’s health and may require veterinary treatment.
How do fleas harm cats? - in detail
Fleas inflict damage on felines through several direct and indirect mechanisms.
The insects feed on blood, creating puncture wounds that can lead to localized irritation, redness, and swelling. Repeated bites may cause severe itching, prompting the cat to scratch or groom excessively, which can break the skin and introduce bacterial infections.
Blood loss from a heavy infestation can become clinically significant, especially in kittens, elderly cats, or those with pre‑existing anemia. Continuous feeding may reduce hemoglobin levels, resulting in lethargy, pale mucous membranes, and decreased immune competence.
Allergic reactions are common; many cats develop hypersensitivity to flea saliva. This hypersensitivity dermatitis manifests as intense pruritus, hair loss, crusted lesions, and secondary infections caused by opportunistic bacteria or yeast.
Fleas serve as vectors for pathogens. They transmit the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum when cats ingest the insect during grooming. They also carry Bartonella henselae, the agent of cat‑scratch disease, and can facilitate the spread of hemotropic mycoplasmas, which affect red blood cells.
In addition, flea saliva contains anticoagulants and enzymes that interfere with normal clotting, potentially prolonging bleeding from bite sites and impairing wound healing.
Overall, the consequences of a flea burden include dermatological distress, systemic anemia, allergic disease, and the risk of parasitic and bacterial infections, all of which compromise a cat’s health and quality of life.