When a cat starts scratching, it is cause for concern, constant scratching can mean fleas. Fleas are more than a mere discomfort for you pet, they are a serious issue that needs to be dealt with before they cause health issues for your cat as well as issues for you and your family.

It's important to note that when you actually see the fleas on your cat, their life is almost over. They spend most of their lives in your carpet or furniture as eggs and larvae before they every land on your pet. When they are in these stages of life, they are next to impossible to kill, and can stay in a state of suspended animation for up to two months making the controlling of them even harder for you.

If your cat has allergic dermatitis caused by flea bites, you will notice that the scratching is elevated and may be accompanied by chewing of the bites as well. This type of severe reaction can lead to loose of fur and may need additional medical treatment in addition to the elimination of the fleas themselves.

Flea control is important even if your cat is not allergic to them. Fleas can cause health issues for cats too including anemia from the loss of blood, tapeworms (fleas eat the eggs and transmit them to other animals) and skin infections from the bites caused by fleas. Any one of these flea related health issues can have dire consequences for your pet.

Now that we have established how important flea control is for both you and your cat, it is time to address the many options that are available to you. If your cat has not yet acquired fleas, then the use of powders and dips can be a step in preventing them.

Flea collars can be very effective at maintaining flea control and are quite useful used in conjunction with powders, dips or sprays. The most effective means of flea control are spot on liquids that are applied to the back of the cat's neck and rid the animal of not only fleas, but, quite often, ticks and tapeworms as well in one easy treatment that takes only seconds.

When it comes to the environment, there are also several options for flea control. Flea bombs can kill fleas in carpets and bedding, though careful washing and vacuuming will help greatly in this endeavor also. For outside use, yard sprays can be quite effective.

Because flea treatments are in fact medications, it is important to apply them exactly as the manufacture suggests. If the directions are not followed, it could lead to an overdose of medications and a sick cat or the fleas not being irradiated and the problem being ongoing for you pet.

Stop those fleas from bugging your pet. Get moving and do your part to ensure a healthy and happy member of your family.