Every pet owner’s nightmare is coming home to find your beloved furry friend covered in fleas. And while it’s more common for outdoor cats to get fleas, indoor cats are not immune. There are several ways indoor cats can get fleas—and once your home is infested, getting rid of them can be a real challenge. Five ways your indoor cat can catch fleas and some tips on how to keep them away are detailed below.
1.Through other pets.
If you have other pets in the house—even if they’re not cats—they can bring fleas inside. So be sure to keep your animals up-to-date on their flea and tick prevention, and check them regularly for any signs of fleas or ticks.
2.On your clothes or skin.
Even if you don’t have other pets, you can still track fleas into the house on your clothes or skin. So if you’ve been outside in an area where there are likely to be fleas (like a park or hiking trail), be sure to change your clothes and wash thoroughly before coming into contact with your cat.
3.From other homes.
If you have friends or family with outdoor cats, there’s a chance they could bring fleas into your home when they visit. Ask them to check their cats for fleas before coming over, and take extra care to vacuum and clean any areas where they may have been sitting or lying down.
4.Through open doors or windows.
Fleas can quickly come into your home through open doors or windows—especially during the warmer months when they’re more active. So be sure to keep doors and windows closed as much as possible, and consider investing in screens for added protection.
5.From wild animals.
If you have wild animals like raccoons, opossums, or squirrels around your property, they could bring fleas inside through holes or gaps in your walls or foundation. So seal up any cracks or holes you see, and keep an eye out for any signs of wild animals near your home.
Here are some flea repellent available online that you can use for your cat:
This Johnson’s Vet Cat Flea Pump Spray is a great way to help keep your cat free of fleas. It contains an insecticide that helps kill fleas and their eggs and prevents them from returning. It’s easy to use; spray it onto your cat’s coat and massage it.
Price: £6.79
2. C&G Pets | HOUSE HOLD PEST CLEANSE 500ML
This natural and safe flea spray is tough on dirt, dust and grime yet gentle enough to be used around children and pets. It is long-lasting and features a 100% money-back guarantee. It is also safe for the environment and will not harm your pets or children.
Price: £15.19
3. KinderPet’s Anti-Mulching and Repellent Spray for Cats
This KinderPet Cat Repellent Anti-Fouling Spray is a natural and humane way to deter your cat from fouling, digging and scratching in the house. Made from a blend of citrus oils, it is safe to use around pets and children and will not harm your cat if inhaled.
Price: £14.95
How to prevent them?
While it’s more common for outdoor cats to get fleas, indoor cats are not immune. There are several ways indoor cats can get fleas, including from other pets, on your clothes or skin, from other homes, open doors or windows, and from wild animals around your property. However, taking some simple preventive measures can help reduce the risk of your indoor cat getting fleas—including keeping all of your animals up-to-date on their flea and tick prevention; checking them regularly for any signs of fleas or ticks; changing clothes and washing thoroughly after being outside in an area where there might be fleas; asking visitors with outdoor cats to check their animals for fleas before coming inside; keeping doors and windows closed as much as possible, and sealing up gaps in walls or foundations where wild animals could enter. By taking these steps, you can help keep fleas on indoor cats to a minimum.
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