How to determine fleas or lice on a cat? - briefly
Inspect the cat’s coat and skin for tiny, dark moving specks, eggs stuck to fur, or excessive scratching, and run a fine-toothed flea comb to capture any parasites. If you notice redness, hair loss, or a gritty “sand” feeling, consult a veterinarian for confirmation and treatment.
How to determine fleas or lice on a cat? - in detail
Detecting ectoparasites on a cat requires systematic visual inspection, tactile assessment, and, when necessary, laboratory confirmation. Begin by examining the coat in a well‑lit area. Use a fine‑toothed flea comb, moving it from the neck to the tail in short strokes. Live fleas appear as small, dark, jumping insects; their feces, known as “flea dirt,” look like specks of black pepper. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white paper towel; any reddish‑brown stains that turn hazelnut‑brown when moistened indicate digested blood, confirming flea activity.
Next, feel the skin, especially behind the ears, at the base of the tail, and along the spine. Lice are typically slower, cling tightly to hair shafts, and may be seen as tiny, elongated bodies moving deliberately rather than hopping. Adult cat lice are about 2–4 mm long and can be observed crawling on the fur when the cat is gently lifted and examined from the side.
If visual signs are ambiguous, collect a sample. Place a few combed particles onto a glass slide with a drop of saline solution, cover with a cover slip, and examine under low magnification (10–40×). Flea eggs are oval, about 0.5 mm, while lice nymphs are smaller, translucent, and lack the jumping legs of fleas.
Additional indicators include:
- Excessive scratching, especially around the neck and tail base.
- Red, inflamed skin or small crusts where parasites feed.
- Presence of pale, oval fecal pellets (flea dirt) on the fur or bedding.
- Visible adult insects or nymphs during close inspection.
When infestation is suspected but not confirmed, consult a veterinarian for a skin scraping or microscopic analysis. This ensures accurate identification and appropriate treatment, preventing misdiagnosis between fleas, lice, or other dermatological conditions.