Flea Problems

   Occasionally some of us will have the unfortunate luck or circumstance of having a cat with a flea problem. Thankfully, there are a variety of options that are very successful at treating them. Fleas can be a very persistent pest and may have to be treated on multiple levels in order to eliminate them.

   First, you need to evaluate your cat's flea problem. If it is severe your cat may need to go to the vet, where she can receive more extensive treatment than the average owner can provide. Examine your cat's body, checking to see how many fleas are on her skin and to see if she has been chewing any sections of her fur. After you get a sense of the scope of the flea problem, it's time to go to your nearest pet supply store for flea treatment.

 There are a few ways you can treat your cat for fleas. One, is by giving your cat a bath with flea shampoo or regular cat shampoo and then using a flea comb to remove any remaining fleas. This is an effective initial treatment to kill the fleas on your pet, but it is not very effective in dealing with the problem long term. The worst part of having a flea ridden cat is that the fleas will take residence in your home. Only 5 to 10 percent of the fleas in your home live on your cat, while the rest are living in your carpet, fabrics, and yes, even on you! Fleas can carry a variety of parasites and diseases, such as tapeworms and the Bubonic Plague. Cats can also chew their fur excessively and rip it out, leading to infections which can create further medical complications.

   If you want to avoid fleas and their nasty friends, you can treat your home by washing all sheets, towels, and curtains. This should also include vacuuming carpets and floors. You can put down carpet flea sprays or powders, and if you are experiencing an extreme infestation, a flea bomb. I do not recommend using flea bombs because you will likely have to spend the night elsewhere for a day or two. They are horrible smelling and also toxic, so only use them in extreme cases. I personally have used powder when I rescued my flea covered kitten, and it worked very well to get rid of them.  There are also flea sprays and flea collars that you can put on your cat. I have found that these last two methods are ineffective, foul smelling, and possibly stressful for the cat.

   The most important tool in eliminating a flea problem is a flea treatment that goes on your cat's neck like Advantage or Frontline. This is the single best way to kill fleas and keep them off. Usually as long as you use this monthly, fleas will never be a problem for your cat. When you use them initially you can apply them once a week until the fleas are gone from your pet, and then taper down to once a month doses. I usually give my cats a treat while I put on their Advantage and it helps to keep the cats distracted so it doesn't startle them when I apply the medicine to their neck. Make sure when applying flea treatments like these that you put them in an area on the back of the neck where they aren't likely to lick. Best of luck handling your flea problems and having a happy, healthy cat!

Cats and the Dreaded Bath

   "Bath" is a word many cats and cat owners alike begin to fear. Bathing a cat, while usually not necessary, is a task that must be undertaken with a great deal of caution. It is a very stressful experience for a cat and usually for the owner, because the owner must take great care to make sure that the cat doesn't injure herself or escape to spread suds and water all over your home.

   When should you bathe your cat? A bath is necessary when a cat has gotten into some sort of liquid or debris that the cat is not capable of removing themselves. Other people bathe their cats when they have an unpleasant smell or to cut down on dander which can irritate people who have allergies. Cats also can benefit from a bath if they have fleas, because it can drown the population of fleas currently living on your cat. If you should decide that it is time to "take the great plunge" make sure you take the proper precautions when bathing your dirty feline.

  First, you need to acquire a cat shampoo. Shampoos designed for cats help care for their skin and coat, and can kill pests such as fleas, depending on the type of shampoo you choose to purchase. Cat shampoos are often tearless too, meaning that it won't hurt kitty's eyes if she accidentally gets some in her eyes. Human shampoos are not designed for cats and can irritate your cat's skin. Once you select a shampoo, fill up the tub with lukewarm water to a level high enough so it just brushes your cat's belly.  You don't want the water to be too high or your cat may react as if she were drowning once you get her into the tub, which will only increase her distaste for the experience. It is also advisable that you trim your kitty's claws before you bathe her so that she will be less likely to injure you if she scratches. Wearing latex gloves can protect your hands and arms from claws and teeth when you are bathing your cat, so you may do this if you wish.

   I usually have a cup or water pitcher by the tub to help assist in rinsing my cat, so make sure you either have something that can hold water to rinse her, or you can use a shower head as long as it is on a very low setting. You should have some towels laid out on the side of the tub for when you remove her from the water and so you can reach them easily. Cats can chill very easily, so make sure you wrap her up as soon as she gets out. Sometimes I even warm the towels slightly in the dryer so that it can help gently warm the cat up so she is not cold.

  Now it's time to calmly pick up your feline as if nothing were amiss, and bring her into the bathroom. I recommend that you close any doors that will allow her to escape. Take your cat and lower her into the water, taking care to keep her from panicking or injuring herself. Shampoo your kitty thoroughly, use a soft cloth to wipe her face, and then proceed to rinsing her off with clean, warm water. After you are finished rinsing, remove her from the tub and wrap her in a towel. Gently pat her dry and make sure you get most of the water off of her coat before you set her free. Be warned, your kitty will probably be none too pleased at this point and will try to desperately escape. Try to keep things as stress free and gentle as possible. For your viewing pleasure, I have attached a video as an example of how not to bathe a cat, just for reference. Good luck bathing your kitties!