Cat Flea & Tick - Exploring Cat Fleas and Ticks

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

What are fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks are parasites that can live on your cat's skin and cause issues from skin rashes, itching, and even cause some intestinal parasites and blood-borne diseases.

Dr. Kalah St. Pierre
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

How do fleas and ticks impact the health and well-being of my cat?

Your cat can be very uncomfortable and itchy and have a lot of skin issues, but they can also develop intestinal parasites or blood-borne diseases.

How do cats get fleas and ticks?

Most often from going outside, walking in the grass or parks, but those critters can get into your house on our clothing and our shoes.

Why is prevention of fleas and ticks so important?

Because they help get rid of the fleas and ticks.

How can a veterinarian help with flea and tick prevention?

There are a lot of options out there for flea and tick prevention and speaking to your vet about which product is best for you and your pet will be really helpful in making a choice.

What are some signs and symptoms of a flea and tick infestation in your cat?

Cats usually get very, very itchy. They overgroom themselves. They get areas of hair loss, but they can also have other health issues like an upset belly, discomfort, or mobility issues.

What do fleas and ticks look like?

Fleas and ticks look like small, dark bugs that live on the skin. Ticks are a little bit bigger than fleas. They are more of a gray color compared to the black fleas.

What are some possible diseases that can be transmitted by fleas and ticks?

There's an intestinal parasite, which is a tapeworm, that can be transmitted by the flea. Then there's other pathogens that can live in your blood, such as Lyme disease, that are transmitted by ticks.

What are the most effective flea and tick treatments for cats?

Most of our preventions that work the best are a topical liquid that you drizzle on the back of your cat's neck once a month or at other varying times, depending on the product.

What should I do if I find fleas or ticks on my cat?

I would recommend talking to your veterinarian to see which product is best to get rid of the fleas and ticks as soon as possible.

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Cat Flea & Tick - FAQs 1

Dr. Kalah St. Pierre
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

What are fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks are parasites that can live on your cat's skin. They use your cat's blood as their meal and they can cause a lot of health issues.

What are the differences between fleas and ticks and how do they affect my cat?

Fleas and ticks are two different parasites. They both use blood as their main meal source. They can cause various issues such as skin issues, itchiness, intestinal parasites, and blood work pathogens.

Where do fleas live on a cat?

They can live anywhere in your cat's body but they most commonly like to hang out around the tail.

Can fleas and ticks affect other pets or people?

Yes, they can affect one pet or all the pets in your home. Ticks can also affect the people in your house as well.

What is the life cycle of a flea?

Flea's life cycle ranges from an egg to a larva to an adult.

What is the life cycle of a tick?

Tick is very similar. The tick can range from an egg stage to a larva, nymph, and then an adult, changing hosts between each cycle.

What are other types of parasites that my cat can get?

Cats can get all types of parasites, from intestinal parasites to heartworm disease to tick-borne diseases that live in your blood.

Cat Flea & Tick - FAQs 2

Dr. Kalah St. Pierre
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

What diseases are associated with fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks can cause a few different diseases ranging from skin issues to intestinal parasites or even blood-borne pathogens.

What are the treatments associated with those diseases?

That can range from oral medications, injections, or even baths to get rid of the parasites.

If my cat is diagnosed with fleas and ticks, what is the treatment to get rid of them?

There's a few treatment options that you should discuss with your veterinarian to see what's the best way to get that treatment into or on your pet.

What is the flea life cycle, and why is it important to know this for treatment?

The flea life cycle ranges from the egg stage to larva and adult. There are different medications that treat different stages of that life cycle, and sometimes a multi-modal approach is necessary.

Are flea and tick treatments painful?

No, they are not.

What are the risks of treatments?

Overall, treatment is very safe for both fleas and ticks, but some pets can have adverse reactions to those medications.

Is there natural or over-the-counter treatments for fleas and ticks?

Some may exist but prescription products do work the best.

Why is it important to treat my cat for fleas and ticks early?

As the life cycle stage advances, eggs can be produced, get into the environment around your home and in bedding, and be a lot harder to treat.

How do I get rid of fleas and ticks in the environment?

Washing of bedding, vacuuming, and mopping floors. Those are a few pretty easy ways to pick up the eggs and get rid of the parasites.

What common flea pesticides are toxic to cats?

I would say let's consider all pesticides toxic to cats.

Cat Flea & Tick - FAQs 3

Dr. Kalah St. Pierre
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

What diseases are associated with fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks can cause a range of diseases such as skin issues, intestinal parasites, or bloodborne pathogens.

What health problems can fleas and ticks cause?

Fleas and ticks can cause rashes, itchiness, intestinal parasites, or even pathogens that live in the blood.

Can my indoor cat get fleas and ticks?

Yes, all pets can get fleas and ticks. Sometimes your pets may go outside in the yard or we can actually track stuff inside on our shoes.

How common are fleas and ticks in cats?

It depends on where you live. Some states or regions have more fleas and ticks and then if your pet does go outside, they're more likely to come in contact with the parasite.

Is a short-haired cat more susceptible than a long-haired cat?

All cats are susceptible, but fleas and ticks aren't particular about the length of your cat's fur.

Can my cat still get fleas and ticks in the winter?

Yes, it does depend on where you live. In warmer areas, fleas and ticks are alive and roaming all year round.

What factors can increase my cat's risks of getting fleas and ticks?

Exposure to the environment. Outdoor pets are more commonly infected with the parasites, but indoor cats can still get those parasites.

Cat Flea & Tick - FAQs 4

Dr. Kalah St. Pierre
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

What are some ways to prevent my cat from fleas and ticks?

There are a few ways to prevent fleas and ticks. These include oral tablets or a topical solution that you apply directly onto your cat's skin.

What are some different types of flea and tick preventions for my cat?

Primarily, there are two types of flea and tick prevention methods: oral tablets and liquid solutions. The liquid can be applied to your cat's skin once a month or every few months, depending on the specific product.

How do you determine the best prevention method for your cat?

Consult with your veterinarian to determine the most suitable method. There are countless products to choose from, so it's crucial to find what works best for both you and your pet.

Is year-round flea and tick preventative needed for my cat?

Whether to implement year-round prevention depends on your location.We do recommend year-round prevention as some areas have a higher prevalence of fleas and ticks, which is influenced by the local climate.

How can I control fleas and ticks in the environment?

Regular cleaning activities such as washing your pet's bedding, cleaning the floors, and frequent vacuuming, especially in the areas where your pets spend most of their time, are recommended.

Are there vaccines for flea or tick-related illnesses?

Yes, there is a vaccine available for Lyme disease, which is spread by ticks.

Will medical intervention be necessary for my cat if it has fleas or ticks?

While it is possible for fleas and ticks to resolve on their own, more often than not, intervention with oral or topical preventives is necessary.

Are there any home remedies for fleas and ticks?

Although home remedies might exist, prescription products tend to be the most effective.

If my dog is on preventative, does my cat need to be, too?

Even if your dog is on prevention, it is highly recommended to also have your cat on prevention as fleas do not discriminate between dogs and cats.

Cat Flea & Tick - FAQs 5

Dr. Kalah St. Pierre
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

How would a veterinarian diagnose ticks on a cat?

Sometimes, ticks can be easily seen on your cat's skin. They often hide in places like between toes and around the ears.

What information would the veterinarian need to know about my cat when diagnosing ticks?

It's very helpful to know what region you live in or if you've traveled anywhere with your pet. Certain types of ticks are more prevalent in specific areas.