How to get rid of fleas on an adult cat and kitten at home

Fleas make life miserable for pets, and people get itchy just thinking about the parasites. Veterinarians are often asked how to remove cat fleas from the house, what are the most effective tablets, drops, collars or shampoo for cats against fleas. As experts note, the answer to the question of how to get rid of cat fleas in an apartment and in a house lies in their biology.

There is no single method or insecticide that will completely eradicate (or at least control) these insects. The life cycle of a flea is quite complex. Only understanding the various stages of development will help get rid of them.

Let's look at what fleas are from a biological point of view.

Collectively, all flea species have a common scientific name - Siphonaptera. Cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felix, are the most commonly found flea in Russia. They parasitize cats, dogs, humans and other mammals and birds.

Fleas thrive in warm, moist environments and temperate climates. The main food is the blood of the host animal. Fleas are used as a host for mammals in 95% of cases. They can also infect birds (in 5% of cases).

Flea saliva, like other blood-sucking parasites, contains an ingredient that softens or "digests" the host's skin for easier penetration and feeding. Flea saliva is a strong irritant. All signs of an allergic reaction appear precisely against the background of its influence - it begins to itch, there is a desire to scratch, the skin burns, and the like.

Why do cats get fleas?

Cat fleas are the most common type of blood-sucking parasite. They can do without a host animal for a long time, and flea eggs and larvae can develop in the external environment. For some time, the larvae do not need the blood of the host animal, and this only aggravates the problem.

The flea is the most common blood-sucking parasite in the world.

Most cats become infected with fleas outdoors. The infestation cycle can begin with just one flea. Even if you keep your pet away from stray cats and dogs, the parasite will still find a way to attach itself to the animal’s fur. A flea that gets into the house will begin to multiply quickly, and its eggs will end up on carpets, furniture or the cat's bed. When the new fleas grow up, they will begin to look for a new “donor”.

For some time, humans can become the host of fleas. This will be a temporary self-assembled tablecloth for parasites. In addition to the fact that the flea will feed on human blood, this person will also become a vehicle. Sooner or later, people will bring fleas closer to their four-legged pets. Sometimes fleas enter the house on a person's clothes or shoes. Even if a flea-covered dog ran past your entrance, this already becomes a threat of infection. One flea could enter the entrance and climb up to your door. When you cross the threshold, the parasite will pass with you.

Young kittens are usually infected by their mother cat. Moreover, there will be more fleas on a kitten than on an adult cat. And if you live in a private house, and your cat likes to hunt mice, then a rodent can also become a carrier of fleas. Regardless of the method of infection, you need to choose an effective and safe method of treatment. The main thing is not to miss the moment. Parasites need to be detected as soon as they appear. This is not difficult to do if you know what fleas look like.

Fleas are characterized by a body that is flat on the sides.

Cat fleas can be black or brown in color. The size of the insect depends on the degree of satiety. A hungry flea can be 2–3 mm long, and a well-fed one reaches 5 mm. And also the size of the flea depends on its age (old fleas are larger). The insect's body is flat, without wings, but it has long hind legs. Thanks to this body structure, the flea can jump long distances (up to 50 cm). By this feature, fleas can be distinguished from many other insects - fleas disappear from sight almost at lightning speed.

Are fleas dangerous for humans?

Fleas can cause discomfort not only to pets, but also to humans. At times, parasites bother people by biting them, and any fears about this are not unfounded. After the bites of these parasites, unpleasant consequences can be observed on the skin in the form of blisters and papules. In addition, fleas can cause a skin infection in humans, which manifests itself in the form of ulcers or abscesses.

A person can become infected with helminthiasis by accidentally getting cat fleas into their mouth. The disease is asymptomatic in most cases.

Are cat fleas transmitted to humans? This depends on the gender and age of the pet. For example, a kitten's fleas are more likely to be transmitted to humans and begin to bite both the animal and its owner. Fleas are transmitted from cats to humans more often than from cats.

Signs of infection

A flea may begin to bite a cat from the first day of infection, but it is difficult for a person to detect its presence. But when the offspring of the first flea grows up, a colony of parasites forms. They will lead to the appearance of symptoms, a person cannot help but pay attention to this. The main symptom is that the cat will itch intensely. Cats living outside, feeding their flea parasites for years, may not pay attention to the bites, but an indoor cat with delicate, well-groomed skin can itch until it bleeds. When bitten, some cats flinch or bite into the fur (or directly into the skin).

In places where severe scratching occurs, sores appear that become wet or bleed. They will not be able to heal quickly, as the cat will continue to itch. In addition, insect excrement (small black particles) will appear on the cat's fur. If fleas have appeared for a long time, the fur may become thinner, fistulas, abscesses or allergic dermatitis may appear.

Photo gallery: symptoms of flea infestation

When you try hard to scratch an itchy area, small sores appear first.

To see flea excrement on a cat's fur, you need to slightly part the fur with your fingers, creating a parting.

An abscess is a bulging purulent abscess (when it “bursts”, a fistula appears - a hole in the skin)

With allergic dermatitis, the entire body is covered with red spots (they are easiest to see on the stomach)

Why fleas are dangerous for animals and humans

In addition to skin problems caused by flea bites, your cat may also develop other parasites. A cat that licks fur or itchy skin swallows fleas whole. An insect may contain larvae of worms, etc. Thus, both a cat and its owner can become ill with helminthiasis. And if the worms then pass to a small kitten, then the helminthic infestation can lead to the death of the pet. In addition, advanced infestation with parasitic insects can lead to anemia (anemia) in the animal.

The cat owner faces more than just infection with worms. Of course, a flea cannot live permanently on the human body, but even one bite can lead to trouble. Fleas are carriers of diseases of the blood and lymph (for example, erythrema, a lesion of the lymphatic system that leads to severe inflammation of the skin). You can also become infected with pulicosis (a very itchy rash all over the body) through a flea bite. After this disease, scars remain on the skin that do not heal even with time.

If the cat begins to feel unwell, and later one of the household members joins it, then it may be dipilidiasis. Symptoms of this disease are weakness, nausea, and vomiting. This disease affects the organs of the digestive system, hence the symptoms, like intoxication. Another danger is brucellosis (symptoms: high fever, aches, joint pain, sweating). Of course, if it comes to such serious symptoms, then you need to urgently consult a doctor, and the cat needs to be taken to a veterinarian.

If the owner of a cat is bitten by a flea, and later unpleasant symptoms appear, an urgent need to consult a doctor

How and with what to treat the apartment?

When processing an apartment, special attention should be paid to:

• Pet's resting places.
• Skirting boards and floor surfaces with cracks.
• Bathroom – in cool and humid conditions, flea eggs and larvae survive longer.
• Upholstered furniture - all mattresses and pillows should be placed in the sun or frost for at least a day.
• Carpet surfaces.
• Doorways and slopes.
• The landing if you live in an apartment building.

Traditionally, residential premises are treated for fleas with the following means:

• Butox 50 – 1 ampoule per 1–5 liters of water, re-treatment after 7–10 days.
• Neostomazan – 1 ampoule per 2.5–10 liters of water, re-treatment after 5–10 days.

Both drugs are moderately toxic to humans and animals. When working with solutions, you must use a mask, goggles and gloves. The treated room should remain draft-free for 2–3 hours. The presence of animals or people in the premises is guaranteed to lead to chemical poisoning. After treatment, wet cleaning is carried out.

Advice: treat walls and all openings at a height of 1–1.2 meters, since parasites can hide in the cracks of wallpaper or other surfaces to escape the poison.

Baking soda and vinegar for flea treatment

The folk method, which involves the use of soda and vinegar, is suitable for treating individual rooms or premises. The method is as follows:

• The perimeter of the room is filled with soda. The layer should be dense near the baseboards.
• Soda should be sprinkled with water.
• We close the room so that there are no drafts and leave it for a day. Afterwards, collect the soda with a broom.
• We dilute vinegar in water 1:2 and wash the floor with the resulting solution.

During treatment, you need to remove house plants (if any) from the room. Soda vapor is very toxic, so the room should be closed to all family members and animals. After treating with vinegar, the room needs to be ventilated for several hours.

How to get rid of cat fleas at home

If you already find fleas on your cat, then you don’t need to wait until the fleas bite someone else. The main remedy for fleas and preventing their occurrence is regular cleaning. Most flea eggs are deposited on the floor, so it is most important to keep this area of ​​the house clean. The cat owner needs to know that sweeping the floor with a broom and mopping does not guarantee a clean floor. Only a vacuum cleaner will help here; it can remove (even from the carpet) fleas, larvae and eggs. It is especially important to use a vacuum cleaner for those people who live in a private home. Surely the cat has access to the street, and fleas can come through cracks in the wooden floor.

However, if fleas have already appeared, then a vacuum cleaner alone will not help. To completely exterminate fleas, a lot of complex work is needed:

• chemicals for treating cats (spray, drops, etc.);
• complete sanitary treatment of all rooms in the apartment (house);
• protection of adults and children from infection, etc.

sanitary cleaning of the entire apartment is one of the important rules if there are cat fleas in the house

Insecticides

Almost all insecticides for fleas affect the nervous system of insects. The chemicals contained in the product block the transmission of nerve impulses, the flea is paralyzed and dies. The main differences between different drugs are the form of release of the drug and the active substance itself. Modern cat flea treatments include either pyrethroids or organophosphates.

Pyrethroids include components such as permethrin, phenothrin and etofenprox. They have a slightly slower (prolonged) type of effect, so the effect of such a drug lasts longer. And organophosphorus compounds are characterized by a powerful, immediate effect, sometimes dangerous for animals, but irreplaceable. By the way, “Karbofos” and “Dichlorvos” are made on the basis of organophosphates.

Treatments for cat fleas are sold at any pet pharmacy. The owner of the animal can compare the qualities of all offered products and choose the most suitable one:

• shampoo;
• collar;
• drops;
• spray;
• tablets, etc.

Modern pet stores and veterinary pharmacies have such a wide range that there is any product you ask for.

Flea shampoos

Shampoo for cats with an antiparasitic effect is an effective and useful product. Typically, shampoo contains both synthetic and natural ingredients. Shampoo is designed to repel fleas or kill them. In addition, the foaming product takes care of your pet’s fur and skin. Based on these characteristics, all anti-flea shampoos are divided into 2 types:

1. Medicinal. They contain insecticides (pythethroids) that destroy parasites.
2. Preventive. They contain non-toxic components (extracts of chamomile, pelargonium, calendula, coltsfoot), essential oils (wormwood, lavender, cloves, geranium) that repel fleas.

Shampoos are convenient because they are easy to use: you just need to lather the animal, wait a little, and then rinse off the foam. In addition, shampoo is convenient for removing fleas and long-haired cats. The preventative composition also has a beneficial effect on the fur - it becomes softer and easier to comb. Some owners of fluffy cats also use this product to prevent tangles. Many shampoos are even suitable for kittens. Another advantage of flea shampoo is its low price. The first thing your veterinarian will prescribe if your pet has fleas is shampoo. However, it should be understood that a soft, gentle remedy does not always have a 100% effect.

Once, while shopping, I got lost in a large shopping center (I was choosing laminate flooring). When I finally found a way out and approached the car, I heard a plaintive squeak. It turned out that a small kitten had crawled under the hood. Judging by the number of fleas on his small, emaciated body, I realized that the baby was left without a home and a mother. I took the kitten with me, and on the way home I stopped at the pet pharmacy. A pharmacy employee recommended shampoo to me (it cost about 100 rubles). The baby easily succumbed to my hands, and I managed to wash him. Most of the bloodsuckers immediately remained in the water, many others I combed out with a fine comb later, when the kitten was dry. But after a couple of days I saw that some parasites still survived.

Photo gallery: examples of effective flea shampoos

The shampoo contains herbal extracts, so this gentle product can be used with other effective drugs

German Green Fort shampoo is suitable not only for cats, but also for caring for other pets

Inexpensive Russian-made insecticidal shampoo contains both strong chemical components and natural raw materials

Bianco & nero anti-parasitic shampoo is suitable for caring for heavily flea-infested cats, but this product is not cheap - 400 rubles

Flea shampoo “Lugovoy” is one of the most popular in Russia (it can destroy fleas and improve metabolism in the animal’s skin)

Insect repellent collars

Some cat owners believe that shampoos, drops and other similar products can poison their pet. It seems to such people that a flea collar is a milder remedy, but in essence the collar differs from other insecticidal products only in form. Anti-flea collars are saturated with the same poisons found in shampoos, sprays and drops. The constant, indelible presence of a collar on the animal’s body is good because it kills existing fleas and keeps away those that are nearby. However, the collar is powerless against larvae and eggs. Even if the larva experiences the effects of poison, it will physically not be able to leave the animal’s coat.

The big advantage of this method is prevention. For example, if a cat is taken for a walk, a collar placed on it will prevent blood-sucking parasites from getting closer. Such gadgets come in different colors and sizes or even with patterns. The downside of the collar is that it is deceptive. As soon as there are no fleas left on the cat, the owners remove the miraculous thing from their pet. And after a while the insects appear again. The fact is that the eggs and larvae that were on the floor turned into adult fleas, and then found their victim - a cat left without a protective gadget.

One of my cats had fleas (it is unknown how they appeared in the apartment, because I never walked that cat). The cat was still small (7-8 months), so the veterinarian advised me to just buy a collar, saying that if there were a small number of young fleas, this remedy would quickly help. The collar was inexpensive (about 30 rubles), its size was regulated using a plaque. Indeed, the insects completely disappeared after a couple of days, but I didn’t take off the gadget for about 2 more weeks (the collar’s ​​instructions said that it was effective for about 30 days). The bloodsuckers did not appear again, but there were few of them. Perhaps in advanced cases there will be no such effect.

Photo gallery: anti-flea collars of different brands

Celandine collars are sold in every pet pharmacy

The 4-tail cat repellent collar is waterproof

Collars differ in their validity period (from 30 to 180 days)

Some collars can only be worn by adult cats, but there are gadgets for kittens too

Insecticidal drops

Flea drops are convenient and effective. The product must be applied to the cat’s skin in a place where the animal cannot reach it (neck area at the base of the skull). Manufacturers of the drops assure that a single application to the withers is enough for the tenacious parasites to leave your pet’s body once and for all. The drops contain the same insecticides that are used in other products. Moreover, the chemical is presented in the form of a solution so that the cat does not get poisoned and the fleas die. But for most kittens, the drops are dangerous; the baby can be poisoned. The dosage should be selected depending on the animal’s body weight:

• small cats and cats - 0.5 ml (about 15 drops);
• medium-sized cats (from 5 kg) - 1 ml;
• big cats (10–20 kg) - 2 ml.

Table: comparison of drops from different manufacturers

Flea sprays

Among most cat breeders, it is believed that the safest flea treatment is a spray. Currently, a spray against biting parasites is available in any pet pharmacy. Most special sprays have a pleasant or neutral odor. The aerosol should be evenly distributed over the animal's fur, applying it against the growth of the fur. Long-haired cats can be combed (for better distribution). It is recommended to keep children away from the cat for 3 hours after application, although the product may not be considered toxic. These “sprinklers” are not cheap (from 200 rubles to 2000 rubles), but they do not contain chemicals. Strong-smelling plant extracts and oils repel insects, forming something like a protective film. Repellent sprays may contain the following active substances:

• neem oil and silicone oil (dimethicone);
• wintergreen, glycerin;
• oat amino acids;
• geranium essential oil;
• extracts of peppermint, aloe vera, cloves, etc.

Photo gallery: examples of flea sprays

IMMOShield (Netherlands) is a spray in the mid-price segment

Ark Naturals Flea Flicker Tick Kicker - American-made flea spray, price exceeds 1,400 rubles

Camon on is produced in Italy, its price ranges from 400 to 600 rubles

The disadvantage of this drug is that it is ineffective against fleas that have already appeared in the house. Maybe they won’t bite a cat as long as there are traces of aerosol on its fur, but fleas will multiply on the floor, furniture and in the owner’s clothes. Therefore, the apartment will have to be processed additionally. To achieve this, repellent manufacturers produce insecticidal sprays for indoor treatment. These products already contain more powerful chemical components. Such aerosols should be used with caution.

Table: tablets for blood-sucking parasites

Folk remedies

The most environmentally friendly and inexpensive are traditional methods of fighting fleas

Previously, when there were no pharmacies for animals, people treated their pets with folk remedies. Some of them have survived to this day. Cat owners who live in private homes especially often resort to folk methods. The most commonly used folk remedies are:

• pine sawdust or shavings of coniferous trees;
• wormwood herb;
• common geranium;
• lavender and tansy;
• garlic;
• Brewer's yeast;
• lemon infusion.

Most folk remedies are medicinal plants. The effect is achieved due to the strong smell. Fresh plants emit an aroma that is pleasant to humans, but unbearable to insects. For example, sawdust from coniferous trees. The resin contained in shavings and sawdust is good at repelling cat fleas. It is customary to place them under a pet’s bed, but some sew the shavings directly inside the bed.

The fresher the pine sawdust, the stronger the smell of the resin

Wormwood has the same repellent effect. Bitter grass will not only protect your pet from bloodsuckers, but can also become a kind of talisman for your home. Wormwood scattered at the threshold will not allow insolent insects into the house. For a stronger effect, it is sometimes mixed with the same sawdust.

When I was little, it was customary in my family to spend all holidays with my grandmother. In the summer she took me with her to bereznik (birch grove), where we collected various medicinal herbs. Some were for tea, some were for ointments (my grandmother made them herself). We also collected wormwood. Moreover, we collected “delicious” herbs first, and wormwood last, so as not to spoil the tea grass with bitter hands. We chose only those bushes that managed to become covered with yellow flowers. I used a bitter bouquet to sweep the floor in the house, and then my grandmother crumbled this broom onto the porch. She said that the rain would drive all the bitter poison into the boards. There were never fleas in my grandmother's house.

There is another way to use wormwood. A handful of chopped (or dried) herbs should be poured with a glass of boiling water. Until the water has cooled, the broth should be put on fire and simmered over low heat for 5–10 minutes. Cool the broth and strain. This liquid can be used to treat not only the floor, but also the cat itself. There is no need to wash the floor after wet bitter cleaning. This will prolong the effect of the decoction. You can make a decoction of other herbs in the same way.

Wormwood is easily recognized by its pungent, spicy smell, small yellow inflorescences and leaves similar to parsley leaves

For those who value aesthetics, geranium is suitable. The beautiful flower can be grown as a houseplant. A person quickly gets used to its smell, but insects (not only fleas, but also mosquitoes) fear it like fire. Every cat breeder can afford to grow a bright flower with a fresh, tart aroma on the windowsill.

And if you don’t have the skills to care for plants, then a bouquet of tansy will do. A small bunch of tansy can be placed under the cat's bed, hung on the wall next to the cat's house, or placed directly in a vase on the table. This herb will be effective even when it turns into dead wood.

The smell of lavender also repels blood-sucking insects well. However, it is not always possible to find fresh lavender, so lavender essential oil or dried inflorescences are most often used. A drop of oil can be “smeared” on the cat’s bed. You can also add a few fragrant drops to the water you use to wash the floor. By the way, this is why many cat shampoos contain lavender extract.

Lavender essential oil is sold in any pharmacy for people

If “airy”, smelling products do not help, then you need to use a more powerful product. Some poison parasitic insects with garlic and brewer's yeast. This is one of the oldest ways to fight fleas. Nowadays, in the windows of pet stores you can find a ready-made mixture called “Brewer’s yeast with garlic.” But if you don’t trust pharmaceutical drugs, then you can make your own folk remedy.

Brewer's yeast and garlic should be mixed in a ratio of 10:1. You need to be careful with garlic, too much of it is harmful to cats. You need to coat the floor with a thick mixture (even if it is not wooden). But carpets cannot be treated in this way - it can ruin the pile. Within 10 hours, yeast and garlic have a suffocating effect on parasites, after which the floor must be thoroughly vacuumed. The dried mixture will be removed along with dead insects and their larvae. If you do not wash the floor immediately after this, the smell will remain in the floor covering, so the effect will last for some time.

Another effective and safe way to expel fleas is a lemon solution. To do this, boil the lemon without zest in 0.5 liters of water, and then let the solution brew for 7 hours. The liquid can be poured into a spray bottle. It should be applied directly to a flea-infested cat, at a close distance, so that the fur is well wet. This homemade spray repels fleas well due to its high content of essential oils. Instead of lemon, you can use other citrus fruits.

Citrus fruits contain a large amount of essential oils, which have a strong effect on fleas

Comparative table: pros and cons of different folk remedies

Folk remedies to help

Your cat has worms: how to treat them at home

Among folk remedies there are a couple that can fight fleas.

Citrus fruits against parasites

Every owner should know how to rid a cat of fleas at home. The safest folk remedy is citrus spray. To prepare the product, you need to finely chop the lemon, pour it with warm water and leave the tincture for 24 hours. After preparation, it is necessary to treat the animal’s hair with a spray bottle.

Sagebrush

To obtain a decoction based on wormwood, you need to pour 50 g of the plant with water and then boil it. The product must be cooled and filtered before use. Fur should be treated, as well as bite wounds.

Wormwood is an environmentally friendly and effective remedy against fleas

Note! Wormwood can be combined with eucalyptus and lavender. To do this, all components are mixed and filled with water. The broth is kept on fire for 15-20 minutes, then it is removed and cooled. It is recommended to use the product for at least 10 days.

Vinegar and garlic for fleas

Garlic, which has a detrimental effect on parasites, is suitable as a handy remedy for fleas. To prepare the tincture you will need 5 cloves of garlic, which should be chopped. The product is poured with 3 glasses of water and left to infuse for 12 hours. The wool should be wiped with the prepared tincture 3-4 times a day.

Using vinegar is a last resort, but it works well against insects. Vinegar, ammonia and cologne should be mixed in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is treated with a spray bottle. For the drug to work better, it is necessary to place the cat in a plastic bag (the head is not covered). You need to hold the pet for 7-10 minutes, then rinse the fur with plenty of water and comb it out.

Salt

You can remove fleas using salt diluted in water. You will need 1 kg of product, as well as 8-10 liters of water. Hydrogen peroxide can also be added to this mixture.

After the salt has dissolved, the cat should be washed in the resulting mixture. Finally, you need to rinse the wool to remove salt in warm water.

Salt remedies and geranium decoction

Salt and water are mixed in equal proportions. The resulting powder should be infused for 10-12 hours. The product must be poured onto the animal’s fur, but you should make sure that the pet does not eat it. After 30 min. it is necessary to wash off the composition from the animal.

To prepare a decoction of geranium, you need to pour the main component with water and add 30 g of lavender. The mixture is kept on fire for 10-15 minutes, then cooled and filtered. It is necessary to bathe the animal in the resulting solution.

How to get rid of fleas on a kitten

It is more difficult to remove fleas from a kitten than from an adult cat.

In theory, kittens are freed from fleas using the same means that are used for cats, but only in much more gentle versions. Most insecticide manufacturers offer special product lines for kittens. The baby's owner needs to be very careful when choosing a product. Kittens suffer more from fleas than cats, and react more strongly to medications. It is most dangerous to use insecticides to treat newborn kittens (up to 1 month) against fleas. Babies still have very weak immunity, they can get poisoned and die. To rid such a small kitten of fleas, you can do the following:

• comb the kitten with a fine comb (fleas and their larvae will get stuck between the teeth);
• change and wash the bedding (bed) on which the kitten sleeps;
• Thoroughly vacuum the room in which there are fleas.

Such manipulations must be carried out daily. Even if this does not help completely free the cat from parasites, he will at least be able to wait for the period when it will be possible to use some means. Along with this, you can use folk remedies. This way there will be fewer fleas, and the animal will not be so nervous and suffer. When the kitten is one month old, you can go to the pet pharmacy and buy a flea medication for kittens. However, even after purchasing an insecticide, it is recommended to carry out complex treatment:

• comb the kitten with a fine-toothed comb;
• bathe the kitten with anti-parasitic shampoo or special soap (insecticidal chemicals will affect fleas);
• use anti-flea drops, spray, powder or flea collar.

Several of my friends, when fleas appear in kittens, remember tar soap. They believe that tar soap is completely natural and therefore safe. However, I have heard that this soap makes the fur of some animals hard, so I have never tried this method myself. I also have a family I know where a cat named Aisha is washed with scented soap and black cumin oil. This soap is brought from the Emirates and Turkey. It is unknown what the composition of this fragrant product is, but Aisha’s owners claim that it kills all fleas the first time.

Video: how to safely remove fleas from small kittens

Room treatment

Without treating all rooms in the house, treating a cat may be ineffective - at best, it will take several weeks, at worst, several months. Therefore, the animal and the entire room should be treated simultaneously.

Special means

The easiest way is to purchase sprays that kill insects. The label must indicate that the product is also suitable for getting rid of fleas - not all aerosols are designed for these insects.

The treatment is carried out quickly so as not to inhale the toxic substance. The nose and mouth should be covered with a scarf or scarf.

The product is kept for from half an hour to 3 hours (the exact time is indicated on the label), and then the room is thoroughly ventilated for at least an hour. If possible, it is better to treat all the rooms at once, and at this time, together with the animals, be in another place. If this is not possible, then the rooms are processed in turn, but on the same day.

Some products require rinsing off—usually insecticides designed to be sprayed exclusively on floors and baseboards.

Traditional methods

To eliminate and prevent the appearance of fleas, aromatic herbs or dead wood are often used. These are geranium, mint, wormwood, sage, tansy, lavender. Plants are placed in floor pots, and dead wood is placed in small quantities behind baseboards and ventilation grilles.

It is recommended to wash floors by adding 5-10 drops of essential oils to the water. Many of them repel insects and fill the air with a pleasant aroma and freshness.

Call exterminators

Exterminators are called in in severe cases:

• there are fleas not in one apartment, but in several, and large-scale treatment is required;
• fleas live in the basements of apartment buildings;
• fleas have settled in the basement of a private house.

In these cases, a team of specialists treats all premises with very strong agents. Usually after the procedure you can return home only on the second or third day, and before that you need to ventilate your home for 10-12 hours.

Precautions when using insecticides

Insecticides are based on poison. Both cats and their owners can be poisoned by the drug, so you need to take some precautions:

• When treating a cat with shampoo, it is important to prevent the product from getting into the eyes and mucous membranes of the cat’s mouth and nose;
• When washing your cat with insecticide-based anti-flea products, you need to use rubber gloves;
• the cat must not be allowed to reach with its tongue the area treated with anti-flea drops;
• the spray must be sprayed so that not a single drop gets into the cat’s eyes, nose or mouth;
• When treating a cat with a spray, you can use a respirator and safety glasses;
• when treating rooms, you need to close the room and keep cats and children away (for the entire period specified in the instructions);
• before allowing children into the treated room, it must be ventilated (at least 2 hours);
• after treating a cat or room, as well as after putting on an anti-flea collar, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap;
• if you or other family members get insecticide in your eyes, you need to immediately rinse them with running water;
• If any insecticide gets on the mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth), it is recommended to consult a doctor or call an ambulance.

It is important to understand that even if the packaging of a flea product says that it is safe, some people may have an individual intolerance to a particular component. It is not recommended to use insecticides to control cat fleas for people suffering from the following diseases:

• chronic diseases of the liver and biliary system with frequent exacerbations;
• allergic diseases, including skin diseases;
• chronic diseases of the nervous system;
• dystrophic and allergic diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• chronic eye diseases (eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, lacrimal ducts);
• chronic diseases of the bronchopulmonary system with frequent exacerbations.

When treating cats and premises for fleas, it is recommended to use personal protective equipment.

Preventive recommendations

To prevent parasites from lingering in your home, it is recommended to clean with a vacuum cleaner as often as possible. The vacuum cleaner bag must be shaken out immediately after cleaning. Thoroughly clean the space under furniture, corners, and cat litter. Clean all areas where the animal is, such as a car or carrier.

Keep your home clean so that pests do not have food in the form of various debris and dust. As a preventative measure, repellents containing pyrethrins can also be used. They help protect the area from fleas.

There are a huge number of ways to deal with fleas in cats. You can use both natural folk remedies and modern medications, collars and shampoos in the fight against these parasites. The main thing is not to neglect the treatment of your pet and carry out preventive measures. As a result, all your efforts put into fighting fleas on your cat will be rewarded with happy purring and love from your pet.

How to choose an effective remedy

The most effective flea remedy is one that can expel all parasitic insects without harming the health of the cat and its owners. To choose an effective remedy, you need to remember several criteria:

• pet's age;
• characteristics of the cat (allergies, intolerance to some component, fear of spray bottles, etc.);
• physical condition of the animal (illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding kittens, etc.);
• the specifics of the drug (what qualities it should have);
• in what conditions the product should be used (house, apartment, etc.);
• presence of children in the house, etc.

If you know exactly how, where and why the product will be used, then choosing it will not be difficult. The pet pharmacy employee will ask you the same questions. Even if you have already decided on a specific insecticide, you still have to carefully read the instructions and annotation for the drug to make sure that the choice is made correctly. Based on the analysis of various flea remedies, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. To prevent infection, collars and drops on the withers are suitable. These flea control products have a fairly gentle effect on the pet itself, rarely lead to side effects, but at the same time reliably repel fleas.
2. If the animal has few fleas, the best remedy for fleas is a collar or drops.
3. In case of severe parasite infestation, it is necessary to resort to the use of special flea sprays or shampoos.
4. For pets that regularly go outside but live in the city, collars are suitable. You can remove them at home, and the animal’s skin on the neck will not be irritated.
5. Animals that are taken to the country for a long period of time need to have drops applied to their necks.
6. Kittens and puppies over the age of one month can be bathed with special shampoos. Older kittens can be treated with drops and put flea collars on them.
7. It is not recommended to use any insecticides at all on lactating and pregnant cats. Only if the infection is too severe, threatening serious damage to the offspring, can you use special drops or bathe the animal with shampoos.

In order to rid your cat of fleas without harming its health, you need to approach the issue of choosing the best remedy with all responsibility.

Safe pest control products

One of the important components of cat treatment is how safe the chosen method is for the pet’s health. To avoid harming your cat, you can opt for natural and safe products.

Combing out fleas

Short-haired cats can be combed with a fine-tooth comb. Brush the coat with a fine-tooth comb and then with a fine-tooth comb. Shake parasites from combs into a bowl of soapy water. In this way, you can remove some fleas from the skin of animals, but this will not completely solve the problem.

Herbal treatment and eco-collar against fleas

Some herbs, such as chamomile, rosemary, wormwood and wormwood, geranium and tansy, are considered natural remedies for fighting parasites. There are three ways to herbally treat an animal:

• Herbal rub. Soak a cotton swab in the herbal infusion and wipe the cat's fur.
• Herbal shower. Rinse your cat's fur with the herbal infusion and let it dry.
• Herbal powder. Sprinkle the powder on the areas where insects are most concentrated on the animal’s body.

To make your own eco-collar that is safe for your cat, you will need absorbent fabric. Sew a strip from it around the circumference of the animal’s neck, adding 2 cm to the length. Sew Velcro on both sides of the collar and treat the fabric with a special compound:

• 1 drop of lavender oil;
• 1 drop of thyme oil;
• 1 drop of eucalyptus oil;
• 1 drop of citronella oil;
• 5 ml alcohol;
• 10 ml jojoba oil.

Do not wring out the collar and place it on the animal's neck. After 30 days, replace the eco-collar.

Washing the bed, toys and cleaning the house

These harmful insects live not only on the animal, but also where the cat spends the most time. To kill any parasites living in your cat's bed, wash it in soapy, hot water at least once a week.

Aromatization of the room

If you have an aroma lamp, then you can scent the room. Use essential oils of lavender, thyme, rosemary, tea tree or eucalyptus.

You can also finely chop the garlic and place it on plates around the apartment. This smell will repel fleas.

If you like to grow flowers, then plant geraniums or lavender in pots.

Boosting immunity and love

Make your pet's diet balanced and add vitamins to it. The best option would be to switch to high quality food. Add brewer's yeast to your cat's diet - fleas cannot tolerate it.

Don't forget to show love and care. Give your pet attention and play with her. As a rule, happy animals do not get sick as often.