How should I comb a cat to remove fleas? - briefly
Use a fine‑toothed flea comb, first wet the cat’s fur lightly, then run the comb from the skin outward in short strokes, focusing on the neck, tail base, and underbelly; after each pass, wipe the teeth on a damp cloth and dip them in soapy water to kill captured fleas. Repeat until no insects appear, then bathe the cat with a veterinarian‑approved flea shampoo to ensure complete removal.
How should I comb a cat to remove fleas? - in detail
Use a fine‑toothed flea comb on a calm cat, following these steps:
- Prepare the area. Lay a towel or newspaper on a hard surface to catch fallen insects. Have a bowl of warm, soapy water nearby for immediate disposal of captured fleas.
- Secure the cat. Gently hold the animal against your body or place it on a table, using a second person if needed. Keep the cat’s claws trimmed to reduce resistance.
- Start at the head. Run the comb through the fur in the direction of hair growth, beginning at the ears and moving toward the tail. Apply steady pressure to pull out fleas and eggs.
- Work through each region. Pay special attention to the neck, underbelly, and base of the tail, where infestations concentrate. After each pass, dip the comb in the soapy water, shake it, and wipe it clean.
- Repeat the process. Continue combing until no additional insects appear on the comb. A typical session lasts 5–10 minutes per cat, depending on the severity of the infestation.
- Clean the cat afterward. Bathe the animal with a veterinarian‑approved flea shampoo to eliminate any remaining parasites and soothe the skin.
- Dispose of captured fleas. Add the soapy water to a sealed container or flush it down the toilet to prevent re‑infestation.
Regular combing, combined with appropriate flea treatment, reduces the parasite load and helps maintain the cat’s health.