However, as a groomer I do have clients come to me to help them eradicate their flea problem, and that is the perspective from which this is written.
The groomer’s perspective
When a client approaches me with their primary concern being a flea infestation, a Full Wet Groom and blow dry using anti-flea products (otherwise referred to as a “Flea Bath”) is the recommended service. A monthly flea bath regimen continued until the fleas are eradicated is best, in combination with vet-prescribed flea medication and treatment(s) of the home carried out over the same time period as directed by your vet. Alternatively, I can do Full Dry Grooms, using anti-flea dry shampoo and spray, but this is less effective than a wet bath.
If a kitty client comes to me with fleas, I treat all of my equipment and clothing with flea-killer immediately afterwards to avoid the next client (or my own kitties) catching them.
See the
Services Page
for further information on Full Wet Grooms and Full Dry Grooms.
What to watch for
Sourced from the RSPCA website (link to source page below), personal observation of feline clients with fleas aboard, and from speaking with their owners:
1. Your kitty is scratching and chewing at their fur much more than normal, and/or over-grooming possibly resulting in bald patches.
2. Your kitty is frequently shaking their head, or scratching at their ears.
3. You have noticed your cat is behaving differently to normal.
4. Your kitty has black flecks in their fur: flea dirt. It looks a bit like black/very dark red dandruff, but is actually blood-rich flea droppings.
5. Your kitty has developed a rash under their fur.
6. You have begun experiencing bites yourself.
7. Finally, you may have noticed tiny insects crawling or jumping about in your cat’s fur!
Aside from the obvious irritation your cat will likely be experiencing, fleas can be a serious health risk to young or frail cats and they can also pass on diseases via their bites.
So, what should you do?
Firstly, always consult with your vet, and obtain cat-specific flea treatments and instructions for their proper use. You will also need to treat any area of your house that your cat has access too – if your cat has fleas, the chances are good that they are living in the house at large too and can survive for many months away from their host. Again, speak to your vet about the best home treatment to use and how to apply it. Only treating the cat will result in the fleas just hopping back aboard her from her bedding, furniture etc. In addition, flea baths can help speed along the process and provide your kitty immediate relief from a lot of the discomfort.
Finally, once the fleas are gone your vet can advise on anti-flea treatment to apply on a regular basis ongoing to keep your kitty flea-free for good.
You can read more about fleas and flea-treatment on the RSPCA website,
here
Emma Fegan
Master Cat Groomer & Owner, Feline Good Cat Grooming
PS, neither of the cats pictured have fleas, you just can't have too many cat pictures!