Why Your Cat Has Fleas After Anti-Flea Treatment
If you regularly take steps to prevent your cat from becoming infested with fleas, either via a flea collar, topical medicine, or another treatment, you may be upset if you find living fleas on your cat. Unfortunately, this is entirely possible, and there are a variety of possible reasons for it. Read this guide to find out why your cat may still have fleas even after being treated.
Incorrect Application
One of the most common problems that prevents anti-flea treatments from working properly is a flawed use or application. For example, if a flea collar is on your cat for too long, it may stop working properly. Flea collars may also not work properly if they're exposed to moisture or rain.
If you use a topical anti-flea treatment on your cat, make sure that you're applying it directly to your cat's skin in a place they can't lick, like the back of their neck. If it only gets applied to the fur, the chemicals won't be absorbed into your cat's sebaceous glands, and it won't work as advertised.
Your Home
Another possibility is that your home may have a flea problem, and those fleas are migrating to your cat.
While certain anti-flea medications will kill fleas on contact, others may only prevent the fleas from laying eggs on your cat. Even if your cat doesn't go outside, fleas in your home may be jumping from your carpet, furniture, or other tapestries onto your cat.
To stop this, have your home professionally cleaned to kill fleas. This may include steam-cleaning your carpets, furniture, and drapes, or if it's an intense infestation, it may require a flea bomb.
Flea Resistance
Over time, fleas become resistant to certain flea poisons, so what once worked for you might not anymore. These poisons may kill nearly all of the fleas, but those that manage to survive may reproduce and spread the gene that allowed them to survive.
If you think that the anti-flea treatment you've been using isn't working as well as it once did, talk to your veterinarian for advice. Chances are they're aware of resistant fleas in your area and will be able to suggest new treatments that successfully kill fleas.
Fleas can spread nasty diseases and make your cat anemic, so it's imperative to take precautions against them. If you're struggling to control your cat's fleas, talk to a vet or animal hospital to see if they have any tips or products that they recommend.