To check if your cat has fleas, look for a combination of physical signs, behavioral changes, and the presence of "flea dirt."
1. Check for Fleas and Flea Dirt:
* Examine your cat's fur and skin: Fleas are tiny (1-3 millimeters), brown to reddish-brown, and fast-moving. They can be hard to spot because cats are good groomers and will often remove them. Use your fingers to part your cat's fur, especially in areas like the base of the tail, belly, groin, and around the neck, as fleas tend to concentrate there.
* Use a flea comb: A flea comb has very fine teeth designed to catch fleas, flea eggs (which look like tiny grains of salt or sand), and flea dirt. Brush your cat's fur from head to tail, paying close attention to the back of the neck, base of the tail, and insides of the legs.
* Identify flea dirt: Flea dirt is flea feces, composed of digested blood, and looks like small black specks, similar to ground pepper or coffee grounds.
* The "wet paper towel test": To confirm if black specks are flea dirt or regular dirt, place them on a damp white paper towel. If it's flea dirt, it will dissolve and create reddish or brownish stains because of the blood content.
2. Observe Your Cat's Behavior:
* Excessive scratching, biting, and licking: Fleas cause irritation and itchiness, leading to increased grooming behaviors. While all cats groom, excessive or frantic scratching can indicate a flea problem.
* Hair loss and skin problems: Constant scratching and biting can result in hair loss, bald patches, skin redness, rashes, scabs, wounds, or small, crusty bumps (miliary dermatitis).
* Change in behavior: Fleas can cause significant discomfort, leading to restlessness or other behavioral changes.
* Pale gums: In severe infestations, especially in kittens, significant blood loss from fleas can lead to anemia, which may manifest as pale gums and can be fatal in serious cases.
If you find flea dirt or any of these signs, it's highly likely your cat has fleas, even if you don't see live fleas themselves. It's important to treat your cat and your home to eliminate the infestation.