thomousmiller
Fleas are annoying blood-sucking parasites, and they are a threat to your beloved cat, but they have a fascinating world of their own. From their anatomy to their lifecycle, there’s so much to know about fleas that will help you understand how they impact you and your cat.
In this blog, we’ll take a stroll through some intriguing facts about fleas. Being a cat parent, you should know these facts, as they will help you be a better companion to your feline friend.
Check to see how many you already know. Here we go!
Things You Didn’t Know About Fleas and Cats
This segment will introduce you to some interesting facts about cats and fleas. Get ready to be amazed!
Fleas don’t fly
Fleas are small, wingless creatures, which makes them flightless. However, they have strong hind legs, and their jumping often gives the illusion of flying. With their bodies laterally compressed, fleas can move through the hairs of cats easily.
They are high jumpers
Fleas make up for the lack of wings with their amazing jumping power. Regardless of their small size, their strong legs, make them amazing jumpers, and they can hop about 8 inches forward. While your cat is taking a stroll in the garden or playing with fellow pets, fleas can launch themselves onto your cat and infect them.
They have quite an appetite
Fleas are blood-sucking parasites, and adult fleas have a big appetite as they can suck about 15 times their body weight in blood each day. This is quite dangerous for your cat, as losing too much blood to fleas means less oxygen and can make them anemic. Therefore, adopting the Best flea and tick treatment for cats is crucial to keep these pesky parasites from sucking your beloved feline friend’s blood.
Fleas are almost blind
The anatomy of fleas is fascinating as they have tiny eyespots, called ocelli, which are sensitive to changes in light and dark. They are most responsive to greenish-yellow light, plus they don’t have ears, and they have special hair on their bodies to feel vibrations.
Fleas multiply quickly
A single female adult flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day and up to 2000 eggs in its lifetime. Under the right conditions, these eggs can hatch and grow into new adult fleas within 28 days. Fleas don’t need big numbers to cause damage, as even a single flea can cause an infestation. It can become a serious problem very quickly, making cat flea and tick control imperative.
Fleas cause itching
The first and one of the most recognizable symptoms of flea infestations in cats is itching. Fleas jumping and moving around in a cat’s hair cause irritation, followed by excessive licking and scratching. This can lead to skin issues like skin redness and patches of hair loss and may also result in severe flea allergy dermatitis.
Check your cat’s belly for fleas
You can see live, adult fleas on your cat with the naked eye. Typically, they are visible on the less-haired parts of the cat’s coat, like their stomach. Furthermore, when you examine the hair and coat of your cat, you will see live fleas or flea dirt. This will confirm the infestation, and you must consult your vet to give your cat a suitable flea and tick treatment to protect them.
They are carriers of diseases and parasites
A lot of bacterial diseases such as tularemia, rickettsia, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma in cats can be traced back to fleas. Furthermore, they can transmit parasites like tapeworms when injected by cats while self-grooming.
Flea eggs can land anywhere and everywhere
Once female fleas lay eggs, they can fall anywhere from your carpets and furniture to flooring and bedding & cushions. Moreover, they can survive for months in nooks and crannies and hatch when the conditions are right, and you won’t see the infestation coming. To avoid this full-blown home infestation, you need a comprehensive cat flea and tick prevention plan.
Key Takeaways
So, weren’t these facts interesting, and how many did you already know? Even though fleas are annoying learning about them allows you to be better prepared for flea infestations and take timely measures to protect your beloved cat. Happy cat parenting!
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