Can Fleas Kill or cause Harm to a Cat?

 

Can fleas kill a cat? The shocking truth and answer to this question is yes! Its real fleas can kill your cat. Most pet owners are adamant and doubt that flea bites can be detrimental to the cat, but the truth is, fleas can quickly kill your cat. Fleas do more harm than merely biting your cat. They cause health issues cause diseases and irritate the cat’s skin.

Another thing pet owners say is that their cat spends most of the time indoors and can’t come into contact with fleas. While this might be true, flea eggs and fleas can still make their way on your cat. They hide in your pet’s blankets and bedding, behind baseboards, in the dusty and cluttered attic and so forth. The moment one flea gets on your cat, that’s the beginning of the end of the cat.

Fleas multiply swiftly and lay eggs in huge numbers. The more the fleas you cat has, the higher the chances of the fleas killing the cat. They draw a lot of blood from the cat and huge amounts of blood cell too. The cat is a small-sized pet, and it might not be able to multiply the red blood cells getting drawn at the same rate the fleas are drawing blood. This means in due time; the cat will have lost a lot of blood and become weak and frail. If not addressed as fast as possible, the fleas end up killing the cat.

Fleas cause diseases and illness in cats which are the primary cause of deaths caused by fleas in cats. These diseases and illnesses include:

Anemia

Like we have said above, fleas survive solely on the host’s blood. This means when the cat has too many fleas or what we would call a flea infestation; the fleas draw a lot of blood from the host causing anemia. This is a deficiency in the red blood cells or hemoglobin which is deadly in a cat.

If you notice lethargy, weakness, and pale gums in a cat, chances are, your cat is suffering from anemia caused by flea bites. If the cat suffers from these symptoms, take the cat to the vet as a flea treatment alone isn’t sufficient. The cat needs iron supplements, and if the case was worse, it might need blood transfusion to avoid death. If you have a very small kitten or a weak or old cat, they might not make it through a flea infestation.

The Plague

This is a deadly flea transmitted disease carried by fleas from rodents. It is most active in the southwest in the US between late spring and early fall. This is the time you should be very careful of your cat going outdoors far from the surroundings.

The Plague is carried by infected fleas from rodents, and the cat might get the disease from the fleas. The Plague is such a deadly disease in that it kills the cat within a few days after infection. The cat can’t eat or drink anything without vomiting. The plague can also infect the blood and make the cat weak in a short time. The cat then develops symptoms such as fever, dehydration, vomiting, dry mouth, eye discharge, diarrhea, swollen tonsils, and swollen head and neck. If the cat is left untreated, it can end up in a coma and die.

Flea allergy

This is a condition where the cat becomes allergic to the flea’s saliva, and while it’s not deadly, it’s uncomfortable in cats. When a flea bites your cat, it causes severe itching, scratching, and pain. This leads to scabs and hair loss from the scratching and biting.

These are some of the most common diseases caused by fleas and can be deadly to the cat.

Read Also: 10 Best Marshmallow Cat Bed for Your Cat

Cats most at risk of flea infestation and death

Flea transmitted diseases are numerous, and fleas don’t choose on the cat to attack, but they simply attack. However, the weak or elderly cats and kittens are at the highest risk of dying from flea infestation. Same goes for cats with weak or compromised immune system. These are vulnerable cats, and proper care should be taken to protect them from fleas.

If you have any of these cats, keep them indoors and isolated from the other pets in the home. Keep up with your cat’s flea prevention protocol and wash the cat’s beddings regularly.

Cats who roam outdoors with the other pets are at a higher risk of contracting fleas as compared to indoor cats. This is because fleas are carried on animals such as dogs, rodents, as well as other cats.

How do you check for fleas on your cat?

This is one way of preventing a fatality from flea bites. Fleas are small, flat, brownish insects that are quick and massive jumpers. They hang out in the warm and protected areas on your cats such as the armpits and groin. Take your cat carefully and turn it on its back. Part the hair with your forefinger and thumb to see the skin.

Next, check the base of the cat’s tail and ears for bumpy, red skin or dried blood where the cat has been scratching because of a flea bite. If you think your cat has fleas but can’t find them, use a flea comb. Place the cat on top of white paper towel and take a bowl of warm soapy water to douse any fleas. Comb through the cat’s fur carefully and soak any flea you find in the comb immediately in the warm soapy water to kill it. If there are no fleas on the comb, check on the white paper towels and see if there is any flea dirt falling on the towels.

Check on yourself too! As crazy as it might sound, you might have a flea infestation in your rug, carpet, or yard. The flea won’t attach to you but can live on your carpet for long. Check yourself for bite marks. Itchy red dot patches especially on the feet and ankles.

Prevention and treatment of flea infestation.

The longer your cat is exposed to fleas, the greater the risk of a fatality. Make sure the environment surrounding your cat is free from trash and food and that the carpeting and floors are clean. Wash the cat’s beddings in hot soapy water once every week.

If your cat has a flea infestation and you don’t know what to do. Visit the vet for guidance and treatment.