Unlike dogs, when cats are kept at home, they are quite satisfied with their surroundings and do not require walks. Some owners, for a variety of reasons, decide to keep their cats indoors only. Surprisingly enough, cat can still get fleas! In turn, this may make you wonder – how does an indoor cat get fleas?
This is a very common question among cat owners because they want to use ways to prevent infestation in their pets. Here, we have discussed possible ways of infestation in an indoor cat as well as prevention methods. Hopefully, you will be able to protect your pet and avoid all the stress that comes with fleas.
Exposed: How does an Indoor Cat Get Fleas?
As mentioned, some people opt to keep their cat indoors as it can be a safer option, this is perfectly okay. However, they still get exposed to harmful issues no matter how careful you are with them. Infestation of fleas in pet is quite common, and it has caused headaches to pet owners for years.
While it may seem impossible, an indoor cat can get fleas even if they do not leave the house. Pet owners often ask themselves, “How does an indoor cat get fleas?” when they do not even allow them outside.
Nonetheless, there are ways in which your pet can get exposed to fleas and attract them to their body. Here are a few possible ways in which they can get infested:
Household Members
When you notice fleas on an indoor cat, you should consider yourself a possible transmitter. Namely, fleas can attach to people’s clothes, which is an easy way to enter one’s home. These parasites do not have wings, but they have the ability to jump high distances – an average flea can jump up to to 19 inches! This is enough to hop on people and later latch onto a cat’s body.
New living environment
If you are moving houses, take note of the occurrence of parasites in the new environment. Your previous home might be clean and parasite-free, but you can never be sure about a new one. It is especially risky if you are moving to a place with carpets and central heating. These are conditions that parasites, such as fleas, love. Therefore, you should not exclude the option that fleas have infested your new home.
However, they are very tiny and usually inhabit beds and furniture, meaning that spotting them can be quite challenging. So, it may take a while to realise they are in your new home.
Dogs
Since dogs require daily walks and outdoor time, they are often the ones that bring parasites home. Sometimes, a dog can be on flea treatment, but still, bring fleas at home because the treatments do not start working immediately.
Rodents
When questioning, ‘How can an indoor cat get fleas?’, you should not forget about rodents. Fleas inhabit not only the bodies of cats and dogs but also mice and rats. If you have issues with rodents in your home, parasites can easily enter your home and infest your cat.
Places your cat visits
If you take your cat to different places, keep in mind that there is a potential risk of flea infestation. These places include the vets and the cattery. When you notice fleas on an indoor cat, you might have taken your pet to a spot where fleas were present.
How to Get Rid of Cat Fleas at Home?
Since we now know that indoor cats can get fleas, you need to explore ways to get rid of fleas in your home. The first step towards extracting parasites from the home is keeping your house thoroughly clean on a daily basis. When we talk about thorough cleaning, we refer to all rooms. Whether your cat moves around the whole house or not, you need your house flea-free. Otherwise, you will keep spreading them all over the place.
It is strongly advised to follow the following process:
- Hoover your entire home. By first hoovering your entire home, the vibrations will hatch any fleas which have not yet ‘hatched’. Allowing you to target all stages of the flea lifecycle.
- Wash all bedding (cat, dog and human!) on a hot cycle on the same day.
- Spray your entire home with a strong flea spray on the same day as both of the above.
- Treat all cats and dogs in your home with a Veterinary flea treatment (if safe to do so).
Remember: You should NEVER treat your cat with a dog flea treatment.
If you have moved to a new home, hire a professional for the cleaning process, especially if you have carpeting. Fleas are not easily removed because you cannot see them, ergo an expert service can be really helpful.
Once you ensure your home is flea-free, try to keep your cat protected. Even if you do not notice indoor cat fleas, take your feline friend to the vet. They can do a proper examination and provide you with the best treatment for your pet. It is best if you do not do this on your own, especially if this is the first time your cat has gotten parasites.
Can Cats Get Fleas From Dogs?
It is important to know that fleas can transfer between species. They do not stick to their own.
When wondering, “How can an indoor cat get fleas?”, do not exclude other pets as an option. Usually, indoor cats get parasites from dogs that are kept in the same house. Since dogs require daily walks and outdoor time, they are often the ones that bring parasites home. Sometimes, a dog can be on flea treatment, but still, bring fleas at home because the treatments do not start working immediately.
When determining how and can a house cat get fleas, generally, other pets are the transmitters. If you keep other animals at home, such as rabbits, birds, or guinea pigs, you should also have them checked because they can bring fleas to your home and infect your cat.
Do Indoor Cats Need Regular Flea Treatment (and Worming)?
The best prevention from fleas is a regular treatment prescribed by a vet. Even though parasites are the most active during summer days due to heat and humidity, year-round treatment is the best protection. Before taking any medicine, you need to consult a vet because they can determine the best prevention according to your cat’s lifestyle, weight, and age.
Another thing you should do for indoor cat fleas besides treatment is regular grooming. Grooming your cat companion regularly will ensure they are always clean and parasite-free. Even if they get fleas you will be able to spot the issue immediately and act quickly before the fleas spread further.
“How can an indoor cat get fleas?” is the most common question among cat owners. Although it might seem impossible, you should take into account that parasites are tricky creatures that can easily inhabit a body or a home. Proper prevention steps for protecting your cat are mandatory if you want to keep your pet safe at all times!