How to Use a Flea Comb on a Cat

The flea comb is a comb specially designed to catch fleas with very fine teeth, which can effectively comb out fleas and their eggs from the cat's fur. When used, the cat's fur should be carefully combed from head to tail and top to bottom, especially the abdomen, neck and other parts where fleas are easy to hide. Fleas and eggs combed down should be disposed of immediately to prevent re-infection. Flea combs are essential tools for cat owners, especially when it comes to maintaining the health and comfort of their furry friends. Using a flea comb correctly can help in detecting and removing fleas, as well as keeping your cat's coat in good condition.

How to Tell if Cat Has Fleas?

There are several ways to determine whether there are fleas on your cat:

• Observe the cat's behavior

If the cat frequently scratches, licks or gnaws on its body, especially the ears, neck, abdomen and the root of the tail, this may be an itchy symptom caused by flea bites. Flea bites can cause discomfort in cats, so they will try to relieve the itching by scratching.

•  Check the cat's fur

Use a fine-toothed flea comb to comb through your cat's fur, especially in areas where fleas like to hide, such as the neck, abdomen and the root of the tail. If there are fleas, they may be caught by the comb. Also check the comb for small black particles, which may be flea feces.

• Checking flea feces

Flea feces are usually small black pellets that leave traces in your cat's fur. You can put these black particles on a wet paper towel and drop a drop of water, if the water turns red, this indicates flea feces because flea feces contain undigested cat blood.

• Observe the cat's skin

After flea bites, small red lumps or bumps may appear on the cat's skin. These lumps are usually concentrated in the areas where fleas like to bite, such as the neck, abdomen and the root of the tail.

• Check your cat's living environment

Fleas not only parasitize cats, but also breed in their living environment. Check your cat's bed, toys, mats and other items for fleas or flea eggs. If fleas are found, these items need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Also Read: Symptoms of Cat Dying from Fleas

How to Use a Flea Comb for Cats?

Using a flea comb for cats is a safe and effective way to get rid of fleas, especially for kittens or cats sensitive to chemical repellents. Below are the detailed steps and precautions:

Preparation

• Choose the right flea comb

Purchase flea combs specially designed for pets, which have small spacing between the teeth and can effectively capture fleas without harming your cat's skin.

• Prepare soapy water

Add warm water and a small amount of detergent in a small bowl for drowning the captured fleas.

Steps for use

• Choose the right time and place

Choose a quiet, comfortable environment where your cat can feel relaxed. Grooming can be done when the cat is resting or playing.

• Start combing

Start from the cat's head and gently comb in the direction of hair growth. Pay special attention to the neck, abdomen, inner thighs and other areas that are prone to harbor fleas.

• Checking the comb

After each combing, check whether there are fleas on the comb. If there are, immediately dip the comb into soapy water to ensure that the fleas are drowned.

• Repeat combing

Continue combing your cat's fur until fleas are no longer present on the comb. This process may take some patience and time.

• Cleaning the comb

After combing, wash the comb thoroughly with water to remove any remaining fleas and hair.

What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Using Flea Combs?

There are several common misconceptions to be aware of when using a flea comb to ensure effective and safe flea removal for your pet. Below are detailed explanations and suggestions:

1. Choosing an inappropriate flea comb

Myth: Using a regular comb instead of a specialized flea comb.

Correct practice: The design of the flea comb is very important, its teeth should be moderately spaced so that it can effectively capture fleas without harming the cat's skin. Flea combs specially designed for pets are available in the market. These combs usually consist of fine, pointed metal teeth that can easily penetrate the pet's fur in order to attach fleas and eggs to it.

2. Comb in the wrong direction

Mistake: Combing against the direction of the hair.

Correct practice: Combing should be done in the direction of hair growth, starting from the head and slowly combing along the cat's body, paying special attention to the neck, abdomen and tail where fleas like to hide. This will reduce the irritation to the cat's skin and capture fleas more effectively.

3. Not disposing of captured fleas in a timely manner

Misconception: Fleas are not treated immediately after capture.
Correct practice: After each combing, check whether there are fleas on the comb. If there are, immediately dip the comb into soapy water to make sure the fleas are drowned. This will prevent the fleas from jumping back on your cat again,

4. Excessive force combing

Misconception: Excessive force when combing.
Correct practice: During the grooming process, operate gently and avoid pulling the cat's hair with excessive force to avoid discomfort or injury. If the cat shows discomfort or resistance, stop grooming and seek veterinary help.

5. Neglecting environmental cleaning

Myth: Only focus on fleas on the cat and ignore environmental cleaning.
Correct practice: In addition to grooming the cat, the cat's living environment needs to be thoroughly cleaned, including the bed, toys, mats, etc., in order to prevent fleas from re-infesting. Washing these items with hot water and drying them at high temperature can effectively kill fleas and their eggs.

6. Not combining with other flea removal methods

Myth: Relying on flea combs alone without combining other flea removal methods.
Correct practice: When using flea combs, you can combine other flea removal methods, such as flea medications and flea patches, to enhance the flea removal effect. However, when using these products, you need to be careful to choose the right one for your cat and follow the instructions.

How to Eradicate Fleas on Cats?

Although a flea comb can effectively remove fleas from cats, it cannot kill flea eggs or prevent new fleas from re-homing. Therefore, flea combs alone cannot completely eradicate fleas from cats. To eradicate fleas on cats, a series of comprehensive measures need to be taken, including the use of flea medication, cleaning the cat's living environment, regular deworming and understanding the life cycle of fleas. Below are detailed steps and recommendations.

1. Use flea medication

Choose in-vitro deworming medications containing ingredients such as Selamectin, Moxidectin and Imidacloprid, which are effective in killing fleas. Choose the appropriate dosage according to the age and weight of the cat. Kittens may need to use a low dose of medication, while adult cats can choose the appropriate dosage of deworming medication according to their weight.

2. Use a flea comb

A flea comb is a comb specially designed to catch fleas with very fine teeth, which can effectively comb out fleas and their eggs from the cat's fur. When used, the cat's fur should be carefully combed from head to tail and top to bottom, especially the abdomen, neck and other areas where fleas can easily hide. The fleas and eggs combed down should be disposed of immediately to prevent re-infection.

3. Clean the cat's living environment

Fleas not only parasitize cats, but also breed in their living environment. Therefore, the cat's bed, toys, mats and other items need to be thoroughly cleaned. Washing these items with hot water and drying them at high temperature can effectively kill fleas and their eggs.

4. Regular deworming

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Fipronil is a new dewormer that belongs to the phenylpyrazole family, indicated for the elimination of fleas on cats and dogs and dog lice.

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To prevent fleas from growing again, it is recommended to deworm your cat regularly. It is usually recommended to carry out external deworming once a month to maintain the effectiveness of the medicine.

5. Pay attention to the life cycle of fleas

Understanding the life cycle of fleas is crucial for effective flea removal. The life cycle of fleas consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult, so in addition to treating the adult fleas on your cat, you also need to treat the eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment.

6. Seek veterinary help

If you find that the flea situation is serious, or the effect is not good after treatment by yourself, you can seek veterinary help. Veterinarians can provide a more professional and safer deworming program based on the cat's health condition.

Related:What to Do When Your Cat Has Fleas