Keep Fleas And Ticks Off Your Cat

Miss Kitty hates fleas and ticks, and grabs every opportunity to help rid herself and her friends of the pesky parasites.

It's summer, and your cat is loving the outdoors, but since his food bowl is inside, he starts knocking at the door at the end of the day. As happy as you are to see him, you don't care for the fleas and ticks he brings in. He can't help it, and doesn't like it anymore than you do. Poor guy is so close to the ground, he can't help but bring in a few.

Unfortunately, he isn't the only one who brings in the fleas and ticks. If you don't keep your yard, and especially your main entrance cleared of creatures you don't want in your house, everyone who passes through your front door will bring in a few of their own.

Although there are better than a thousand species of fleas, the one that causes the most damage to cats is called Ctenocephalides felis. These ugly little creatures not only attach themselves to your cat, they will bite anything that contains flesh and blood, including you and your family.

Flea and tick season usually starts around mid April or early May in most parts of the country, but can rear it's ugly head as early as March. It just depends on where you live and what the weather is like at the time. A flea will go through 3 stages, from egg, to larvae to pupa, before reaching adulthood, which can take a month or longer.

When your cat goes in and out of doors, some of the eggs fall off and become embedded in your carpet. When you are de-fleaing and de-ticking your cat, it is a good idea to de-flea/tick your house as well. If you don't, the eggs  will lay there until they mature to the point where they will lose no time moving back to your cat.

Damage to your cat's health can be serious enough for a visit to the vet if flea and tick bites are left untreated. Besides itching and scratching, flea and tick bites can cause medical problems including flea allergy, skin irritations, and even tapeworms.

Staying rid of fleas & ticks should be an on-going effort throughout the Spring and Summer, and on into early Fall. Keep a close eye around the areas where your cat sleeps and eats, and especially near your furniture, since they will just be laying in wait for his next visit. Don't get angry and throw your cat out the door. It's not his fault. Besides, he'll just bring more with him when he comes back in.

The best way to keep your cat flea & tick free, is by preparing him for the Summer months. A flea collar, suited to his/her age and size will help, but isn't enough. Your vet can suggest a good flea medication to aid in your effort.

Just keeping your cat free of fleas and ticks won't keep them out of your house. You will need to spray with a good outside bug repellent on a regular basis. If you have fleas and ticks outside, they will ride in on the feet and legs of everyone who walks through your door.

Don't let those pesky fleas and ticks get the best of you this year. Get an early start moving them to your neighbor's yard, especially if your neighbor  has a dog.

 This will probably make your cat just as happy as being flea and tick free. Miss Kitty smiles evertime she sees the dog next door scooting around the yard, trying to scratch under his tail.