To get rid of fleas on a cat, treat it with a flea product made for cats (most often spot-on drops dosed by weight), treat every pet in the home at the same time, and treat the home itself: vacuum, wash bedding at 60 °C and spray carpets and furniture with a household flea spray. Repeat the cat's treatment as directed for at least 3 months in a row — that's how long it takes for fleas hatching from eggs in the home to die off. Never use dog products on a cat: many contain permethrin, which causes severe seizures in cats.
How to tell your cat has fleas
- the cat scratches often and nibbles its fur, especially at the base of the tail and on the neck;
- black specks — flea dirt — in the coat. Put them on a damp white tissue: if they spread reddish-brown, it's digested blood, which means fleas;
- red skin, scabs, bald patches;
- bites on the legs of people in the home;
- white segments like grains of rice in the cat's stool: that's tapeworm, which cats catch by swallowing fleas.
You can see the fleas themselves by combing the coat with a fine comb over a white surface.
How to get rid of fleas: product comparison
| Product | How it works | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Spot-on drops | Kill fleas and protect for 3–4 weeks | The main option for most cats |
| Shampoo | Kills fleas during the bath, with almost no lasting protection | To quickly knock down a heavy infestation, together with drops |
| Collar | Long-lasting protection when worn constantly | For outdoor cats; choose a collar with a safety release |
| Tablets | Work from the inside | As prescribed by a vet |
Popular spot-ons for cats include Ceva Vectra Felis, Advocate for cats, which also works against ear mites and worms, and Stronghold Plus (choose the pipette strictly by your cat's weight). As extra protection you can use a herbal collar such as FIPROMAX BIO. All products are in parasite control.
How to apply spot-on drops
- Choose the pipette by your cat's weight — weigh the cat rather than guessing.
- Part the fur at the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, where the cat can't lick.
- Squeeze the entire contents directly onto the skin, not the fur.
- Don't bathe the cat for 2–3 days before and after treatment.
- Make sure other pets don't lick the application site.
Treating your home
Only a small share of fleas lives on the cat — most, as eggs, larvae and pupae, are in carpets, floor cracks, furniture and pet beds. That's why fleas come back if the home isn't treated.
- Vacuum floors, carpets, furniture and cracks thoroughly; empty or throw away the vacuum bag or container straight away.
- Wash pet beds, throws and covers at 60 °C.
- Treat carpets and furniture with a household flea spray as directed.
- Repeat the cleaning after 1–2 weeks: new fleas keep emerging from pupae.
Why treat every pet, and for 3 months
If you have a dog, treat it too — with a dog product — otherwise it will keep bringing fleas back to the cat. The flea life cycle can take several months, and pupae wait in the home for a long time. Treating the cat regularly for 3 months in a row makes sure every new flea dies before it lays eggs. After that, switch to year-round prevention, or at least from spring to late autumn. Don't forget worm prevention either — see worms in cats and dogs. For dogs, read fleas and ticks in dogs.
Kittens, pregnant and senior cats
Every product has age and weight limits: many spot-ons can be used from 8–10 weeks. For young kittens and for pregnant, nursing or frail cats, your vet should choose the product. Kittens below the permitted age can be combed with a flea comb and washed with a special gentle shampoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does an indoor cat get fleas?
They come in on shoes and clothes, with other animals, and from stairwells and basements. That's why indoor cats need prevention too.
Are cat fleas dangerous to people?
Fleas can bite people but won't live on them. The bites itch; they stop once the cat and home are treated.
Can I treat my cat with a dog flea product?
No. Dog products with permethrin are deadly for cats. Use only products labelled for cats.
How often should I treat my cat for fleas?
Spot-ons usually last 4 weeks and collars longer. The exact interval is in the product instructions.
