Lots of fleas on a cat, how to get rid of them? - briefly
Apply a veterinarian‑prescribed flea control product—such as a topical spot‑on, oral medication, or medicated shampoo—while combing the coat with a fine‑toothed flea comb and laundering all bedding in hot water. Treat the home environment with an appropriate insecticide spray or fogger and follow the product’s schedule to interrupt the flea life cycle.
Lots of fleas on a cat, how to get rid of them? - in detail
A cat heavily infested with fleas requires rapid intervention to stop blood loss, skin irritation, and the spread of parasites to the household.
First, confirm the presence of fleas by combing the coat with a fine-toothed flea comb; each movement should be inspected for live insects or dark specks (flea dirt).
Immediate treatment of the animal:
- Apply a veterinarian‑approved topical adulticide (e.g., fipronil, imidacloprid, selamectin) according to the product label.
- Administer an oral adulticide (e.g., nitenpyram, spinosad) for fast knock‑down; repeat as directed for the full life cycle.
- Use a prescription oral preventer (e.g., afoxolaner, fluralaner) to maintain monthly protection.
- Treat any secondary skin infections with appropriate antibiotics or anti‑inflammatories, prescribed by a veterinarian.
Environmental decontamination:
- Wash all bedding, blankets, and removable fabrics in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and cracks in flooring; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately.
- Apply a spray or fogger containing an insect growth regulator (IGR) such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen to kill developing larvae and eggs.
- Treat the home’s perimeter and any outdoor resting areas with a residual insecticide if outdoor exposure is suspected.
Preventive measures:
- Keep the cat on a continuous monthly flea preventive approved for long‑term use.
- Maintain regular grooming with a flea comb to detect early re‑infestation.
- Trim grass and remove debris around the residence to reduce outdoor flea reservoirs.
Monitoring:
- Re‑inspect the cat weekly for at least six weeks, the duration of the flea life cycle, to ensure all stages have been eliminated.
- Continue environmental cleaning for three weeks after the last detection of adult fleas.
Following this protocol eliminates the current infestation and minimizes the risk of recurrence.