Indoor Cats at Biggest Risk for Flea-related Problems

So You Think Your Indoor-only Cat Can't Get Fleas?



What?  You say your cat is indoors ALL the time?  So you think this means your cat can't have fleas.  Do I have some news for you!  Some of the most severe cases of flea allergy dermatitis and flea anemia I have ever seen have been on indoor only
 cats.  That's right, you heard me...indoor only!

It goes something like this...

A flea comes in on your pant leg, sock, or shoe after your have been gardening, mowing, etc.  It immediately jumps off of you and on to your pet.  Once it has had its meal, the flea jumps off to lay eggs.  Female fleas can lay about 15 to 20 eggs per day up to 600 in the flea lifetime.  That is just ONE flea!

Of course, these eggs soon hatch creating hundreds of hungry little larvae which eventually turn into adult fleas themselves and the whole cycle starts over again.

The biggest problem for indoor only cats is that they can't get away from the fleas.  They are trapped like rats (ahem) and, groom though they might, can't get rid of the little buggers.  Once bitten, some cats display Flea Allergy (or Flea Allergy Dermatitis) symptoms such as excessive scratching, licking, and biting.  This excessive grooming causes hair loss, sores, and inflamed skin that not only makes the cat completely miserable it can lead to infection as well.

Not all cats are allergic to fleas, therefore, they would not show these symptoms.  These cases are almost worse because there is no unusual behavior to visual stimuli to clue the owners in to the problem.  This is where flea anemia can set in.

Related information
  • More information for pet owners can be found at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine online: www.vet.cornell.edu
 
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I have since talked with a vet who explained to me that when I thought she couldnt use her front legs was actully her having a seizure. fleas sucked too much blood from her. At this moment I want to die as well...

Posted on 07/01/2009 at 9:07:21 AM

Not exactly sure but think my cat died due to fleas. some signs of illness were not using the litter box for 2 days or eating. Followed one day later with severe crying and no use of her front legs. At that point she was gone within one hour. I am lost and completely shocked and sadden and don%27t know how to deal. Please everyone%2C as soon as the infestation is noticed spend the money and take her to the vet.

Posted on 06/30/2009 at 6:06:34 AM

Thank again, love reading.

Posted on 12/16/2008 at 12:12:05 PM

Sadly, we just lost our baby girl, Bitty, last night to flea anemia complications. She was down to 6% red blood cell count when they took her sample and she hadn't displayed any signs that she was in ill health until 48 hours before that. We were waiting to apply Advantage this weekend because they had been treated with Haartz the week before and wanted to bathe them a few more times before putting the Advantage on them to avoid any problems but she was running out of time before that could be done safely. We had no idea that flea infestation could be so dangerous. The measures we had taken weren't working and now we've lost a very dear part of our family. Never use Haartz for fleas and make sure you see your vet promptly for problems. The vet told us that cats are very good at hiding red blood cell loss and continue behaving normally until their little bodies just can't do it any more suddenly and then you know only too late to do much help.

Posted on 08/09/2007 at 3:08:00 PM

Thanks for the flea/tick info. My cats have little suckers. I pulled a tick out of cat midnight and saw fleas as well. My bf & I just recently adopted them, previous owners cruel I guess. Thanks again!!!!

Posted on 10/22/2006 at 11:10:00 AM

Great article! I thank you and my three cats thank you (Rudy, Buster and Sammy!)

Posted on 07/09/2006 at 4:07:00 PM

true, I didn't realize my dogs had fleas until my cat was infested. I have had ALL pets protected ever since

Posted on 07/08/2006 at 2:07:00 AM

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