Does your cat scratch her fur more than usual?Do you see creatures crawling on your cat's skin?If so, they could be pests.They are most likely in your home if you have found them on your pet.The parasites can transmit diseases to cats and humans, so treatment is important.Fleas and ticks can be removed from your pet, home and yard.
Step 1: Understand what fleas are like.
You can see fleas without a magnifying class if you look closely.Adult fleas are small.They don't have wings, but they can jump very high.Fleas' bodies are larger from back-to-belly than they are from side to side.
Step 2: Fleas can be seen on a cat.
Take a comb and comb your cat's hair.Flea bites can be seen on the skin.Flea bites leave behind red, broken skin since they must bite in order to feed on blood.Flea dirt or poop is something you should look for.When you've combed your cat, shake the dirt out of the comb and add water to a white paper towel.The flea dirt is made of blood.This is a sign that your cat has fleas.Take your cat to the vet if you don't know if she has fleas.The vet can prescribe treatments to get rid of the parasites.If your cat has been outside, she may have been exposed to fleas.
Step 3: Discuss flea medication with the vet.
The vet will make sure that the product is safe and effective.Flea treatments should be purchased from your vet, since some of the medications sold at pet stores can be dangerous for cats.Fleas and oral medications can be treated with spot-on products.Let the vet know if there are any small children or pregnant women in the home.The safest course of medication for you and your pet is determined by this factor.
Step 4: Pick the spot-on medication.
There are a number of options when it comes to choosing a flea treatment.Many of the treatments should be used annually as a preventative treatment.The product you choose should be labeled for cats and not dogs.Cats can get very sick if they are treated with a flea medication that is meant for dogs.The treatments are applied directly to the cat's skin.Dinotefuran and pyriproxyfen are only used to kill fleas.Vectra 3D is a product for dogs, so don't get it.Permethrin is harmful to cats.Fleas, eggs, and adult fleas are killed with fipronil and (S)-methoprene.It also kills parasites.Advantage II is a product that kills fleas of all life stages.Advantix II is a product for dogs, so don't get it.Permethrin is harmful to cats.Adult fleas and their eggs can be killed with Selamectin.It kills a number of arthropods, including ticks, ear mites, and sarcoptic mites.Selamectin isn't licensed as a product to kill ticks.It only has partial success with some ticks, and is not effective against Ixodes, which carries the disease.If ticks are your main concern, you should speak to your doctor about more effective methods of control, such as a Seresto collar or Frontline.
Step 5: Take an oral flea medication.
If you're only trying to treat fleas and not ticks, you might consider giving your cat oral treatments, which may come as liquid suspensions or tablets.Oral products act quickly and don't leave a mess on your cat's fur.Your vet can recommend the best product for your cat.Many of the treatments should be used annually as a preventative treatment.Lufenuron can be defined as tablets, an oral suspension liquid, or injections.Flea eggs and larvae can be killed with food and medication.This comes as a pill.It is recommended that you give it to your cat to kill adult fleas.You should give your cat food once a month to kill fleas if you have Spinosad.
Step 6: Make sure to apply spot-on medication.
You'll need to hold the upright to keep it from spilling and open according to the instructions.You can expose the skin by spreading the fur on your cat's neck.This will prevent your cat from licking the medication when grooming.All of the medication should be squeezed into a single spot on the skin.Make sure to get it on the skin.Make sure the applicator is empty.The instructions on the product label are different for each medication.
Step 7: What ticks look like.
Most ticks have an oblong-shaped body with a small head.They are usually brown, black, or grey.Some species are much smaller than others.When fully fed females are full of blood, they can swell up to 1/2 inch in size.ticks are not insects.The adults have 8 legs.Thelarvae have 6 legs.
Step 8: If you see signs of ticks on your cat, that's a sign.
They crawl onto the host's body because they can't jump or fly.When the tick bites your cat, it will stay firmly attached.You won't be able to see the tick's head while it is feeding, which might make it hard to tell if you are looking at a tick or dark skin growth.Look for the tick's legs.Between the paw pads, in the ears, and the armpits are places where ticks accumulate.They can be found on your cat's body.If you don't know if the insect is a tick, you can put it in a sealed bag and bring it to the vet.If your cat has been outside, she may have been exposed to ticks.
Step 9: Don't remove ticks.
Make sure that the object you notice is a tick.You should look for the legs to be sure that it's a tick.Put on gloves and grab the tick with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible.Take care not to twist your hand as you pull back.The tick's head needs to be removed along with the body.The head could cause an illness.If you want to show the tick to the vet, put it in a container filled with rubbing alcohol.If your cat has been exploring areas where ticks live, you should check his head to tail every day.
Step 10: Talk to your doctor about tick medication.
The vet will make sure that the product is safe and effective.Some of the medications sold at pet stores can be dangerous for cats, so you should purchase tick treatments from your vet.There are no oral products for treating ticks.Let the vet know if there are any small children or pregnant women in the home.The safest course of medication for you and your pet is determined by this factor.
Step 11: A spot-on medication can be chosen.
There are a number of options when it comes to choosing a tick treatment.Many of the treatments should be used annually as a preventative treatment.The product you choose should be labeled for cats and not dogs.Cats can get very sick if they are treated with a tick medication that is meant for dogs.Fipronil and (S)-methoprene can be applied once a month to kill the adult fleas.It also kills parasites.Adult fleas and their eggs can be killed with Selamectin.It is not licensed as a product to kill ticks.It doesn't work against Ixodes, which is the species that carries the disease.
Step 12: The spot-on medication should be applied correctly.
You'll need to hold the upright to keep it from spilling and open according to the instructions.You can expose the skin by spreading the fur on your cat's neck.This will prevent your cat from licking the medication when grooming.All of the medication should be squeezed into a single spot on the skin.Make sure to get it on the skin.Make sure the applicator is empty.The instructions on the product label are different for each medication.
Step 13: Ask your doctor about other tick control options.
Your vet may be able to suggest other ways to keep ticks off your cat.The Seresto collar is manufactured by Bayer.Cats older than 10 weeks can use this collar.For up to 8 months, it repels and kills ticks.There are other brands of tick collar.It's a good idea to see what your vet recommends for your cat.
Step 14: Keep your yard mowed and dry for tick control.
There are moist, shady areas and tall grassy areas where ticks thrive.Cut your grass frequently to keep it green.You should rake up dead leaves and trim low-lying bushes.Fleas and ticks love shady areas of your yard.To prevent them from attaching to your pet, you have to make the environment uninhabitable.Keep moist compost piles away from the house and outdoor play areas.
Step 15: Barriers can be created to keep ticks out.
The ticks don't like crossing paths lined with wood chips.The path materials should be placed around the edges of your yard.The barrier should be wide.There are wood piles along the edge of your house.Keep them in the sun since wooded areas can attract ticks.
Step 16: Animals can enter your yard if you don't block them.
Stray cats, rodents, and deer should not be allowed in your yard.Fleas and ticks can enter your yard from these animals.Put bird feeders and wood piles away from your house, set up fencing, and plant trees and plants to discourage deer.Boxwood, butterfly bush, ginkgo, and jasmine are plants that discourage deer.You can consult your local nursery for more planting ideas.
Step 17: An insect growth Regulator is sprayed.
The treatments disrupt the life cycle of the fleas.IGRs are harmful to fish, even though they are safe for people and pets.If you're applying the regulator near a water source, be careful.
Step 18: Around the yard, spread the diatomaceous earth.
You can use this natural product in your garden to kill pests.After they ingest the powder, it works by dehydrating and shredding their bodies.When applying it, be careful.Wear gloves and buy food grade diatomaceous earth.It's a good idea to sprinkle it around the yard where you've seen pests.Don't touch the earth with your hands, eat it, or breathe it in.If you breathe in the very fine powder, it can irritate your skin or lungs.It won't hurt humans or pets.
Step 19: If you find a lot of fleas or ticks in your yard, use pesticides.
You can determine if you have fleas by walking around your yard in white socks that are pulled up to your knee.You can see the fleas on your socks.If you want to buy less expensive pesticides, you can talk to your vet.You need to spray the areas in the yard where your pet usually rests, under the decks, and next to the foundation for fleas.There are moist and shady areas in the yard.If you treat your pets and keep your yard free of fleas and ticks, you may not need to use pesticides.Pyrethroid, Permethrin, and Amitraz are used on cats and in your yard.Cats can suffer severe side effects from these products.
Step 20: You should vacuum thoroughly.
Adult fleas, eggs and larvae can be eliminated by vacuuming carpets, rugs, and furniture.The carpet needs to be vacuumed under the furniture.Remove the cushions and vacuum all areas of the furniture.Place the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag and throw it away.Most of the fleas in your house will be in the places where your pets sleep and rest.These areas should be the focus of your cleaning efforts.You should clean the cracks and crevices around the cabinets and baseboards every day.
Step 21: Home textiles and bedding can be washed.
Every week, wash your pet's bedding and small rugs with hot, soapy water.You may want to wash pillow covers, pet bedding, human bedding and other home fabrics as well.Flea eggs can be killed by washing in the hottest water.
Step 22: The rugs can be treated with powder.
Sprinkle the powder over the rugs or carpeting in your house if you choose.Put the powder into the carpet and let it sit overnight.Fleas that live in the fibers will be dehydrate by the powder.After vacuuming the powder up, be sure to empty the vacuum canister or bag in the dumpster.Pets are not allowed on the rugs and carpets.Once the rugs are vacuumed and all the powder is removed, let them back on.
Step 23: There is an insect you can choose.
Methoprene or pyriproxyfen are insect growth regulators.To make sure the product can be used in cats, check the label.Don't use it if you're not sure.You may see fleas for 2 weeks after you treat if you realize that sprays don't kill all stages of the flea's life cycle.Flea numbers should be kept down by vacuuming during this time.Use products that do not contain pyrethroid, permethrin, or amitraz.Cats can be killed by these.
Step 24: If you want to apply the insecticide, apply it.
Pets and people should be removed from the room.Turn off tank aerators and cover fish tanks with plastic.There are areas where your pet sleeps.You can spray furniture and carpets.You should also spray the carpet under your furniture.All household members should stay away from sprayed areas until the insecticide dries.The drying time can be improved by opening the windows or turning on the air conditioning.Follow the instructions on the label for additional tips.