Not controlling fleas can cause problems for both humans and their animal hosts. Cat fleas are little annoying parasites that breed in enormous numbers if all environmental conditions are ideal.

A Cat Flea Problem

Female fleas lay their eggs on your cats coat and a simple shake will have these eggs dispersed throughout your home. The larvae hatch about 10-days later and they will seek refuge in your carpets, bedding, upholstery and floor boards. Soon after, the larvae develop into pupae and from there into irritating and annoying adult fleas.

Cat fleas need hosts to feed off. These little heat-seeking, blood thirsty missiles will seek a host such as your unsuspecting cat and if they are not nearby, you will most certainly present an ideal host!

Apart from the irritation, annoyance and scratching a severe flea infestation causes your cat, it can result in anemia due to excessive blood loss - this can result in the death of a kitten. A cat flea allergy can also result and this causes cat hair loss and skin problems.

Cat fleas also have the capability of transmitting blood-borne parasites and tapeworm.

Cat health, avoiding cat health problems and preventing cat diseases from being passed onto humans (tapeworm) means that a cat flea infestation should be taken seriously.

It is important to understand that with fleas, it is not always a case of what you see is what you get! The fleas that you can see possibly only represent 5 % of the total flea population - we only see the adult flea on our cat. The other 95 % of the cat flea population consists of eggs, larvae and pupae, which are dispersed across your entire home. Controlling the the entire life-cycle of the flea is critical.

How to Control Fleas or Prevent Cat Fleas

You have heard the saying 'prevention is better than cure' - well it is very apt here.

Preventing fleas is possible if you follow this simple hygiene regime:

• Ensure that your cat is well groomed and that it is given the necessary preventive flea treatments regularly

• Wash your cat's bedding regularly

• Vacuum your home i.e. floors, carpets, bedding and upholstery frequently

• Check your cat regularly for fleas

• Keep your cat indoors where they are not exposed to fleas

• Be on high alert during warm, summer months when fleas are more prevalent

How do Know your Cat has Fleas

Each time your cat comes for a cuddle, take the time to check the fur for eggs or the tell-tale, black powdery flea droppings. Excessive or frantic scratching and licking are also indicative of fleas.

How to Treat a Cat and House that has Cat Fleas

Your cat has fleas - then you need to mobilize.

• You will need to call in professionals to fumigate your home and get rid of the 95 % of the flea population we referred to early on i.e. eggs, larvae and pupae.

• Extensive vacuuming of all carpets, upholstery and wooden floor boards. (Empty your vacuum cleaner and discard the contents)

• Wash all linen in hot soapy water and vacuum your mattress

• Apply a special anti-flea treatment to carpets and other surfaces, but do ensure that the product is safe for children and animals

• Your cat will need to be combed, brushed and bathed with a special cat flea treatment shampoo. If you are unable to do this, employ the services of a cat grooming parlor.

• Once the cat is dry, you will need to apply preventative medicines - flea collar, flea power and start your cat on a regime of tablets which breaks the life cycle of the flea

Cat Flea Medicine or Cat Flea Treatment

There are a plethora of products available to you. It is always advisable to consult with a veterinarian for advice. Their advice may save you a vast amount of money by ensuring that you purchase the most effective product and an age-appropriate product for your kitten.

Products come in various delivery forms - cat collars, cat flea powders, sprays, cat flea drops and of course tablets. The effectiveness of these products vary and it is important to read the application and dosage instructions very carefully.

Some products need more frequent application than others. Some need re-application after bathing and swimming. There are both natural and chemical cat flea treatments available.

Over the years, there has been immense advancement in the area of flea prevention. Today there are products which have a residual action against the adult life stages of the flea. There are also remedies called insect growth regulators which effectively stunts the life cycle of the flea. Tablets control fleas and works by preventing flea larvae and pupae (eggs) from developing.

Wishing you success and a flea-free day!