Fleas are a big problem and when it comes to your kitty, the situation becomes even more difficult due to the irritation caused by these pesky parasites. The problem is that your cat scratches and bites itself, which results in skin irritation due to the presence of fleas. The most important thing as a cat owner is to recognize that your tabby is actually suffering due to fleas. This write-up will give you enough ideas about that along with the serious effects that fleas can have on her.
Before beginning with the central topic, it is very important to understand what exactly are fleas and how do they affect your furry friend? Fleas are bloodsucking parasites that are visible when you part the fur of your kitty and scrutinize the skin with close scrutinization. These pests have mighty back legs that enable them to jump and move easily through the cat’s fur. In order to confirm the presence of fleas on your feline, keep the pet in an upright position. Keep a piece of white paper beneath her paws. Try to rough up the coat. If you see dark things falling on the paper softly, spray them with a demister bottle containing water.
In case, the dark things are bleeding on the paper with a reddish stain, it means that these are flea dirt – the fecal matter of adult fleas, that mainly is composed from your cat’s dried blood. If sand and pepper colored residue is present on the kitty’s skin, it means that there are fleas on her body. The white things that you see are nothing, but the flea eggs. While the dark ones are dirt flea, upon which the freshly born larvae will soon be fed.
Three Serious Effects Of Fleas On Cats
- These pesky parasites can have adverse effects on your feline along with other pets residing in the household. It also harms humans that share the environment. A flea bite can cause irritation and itchiness in cats. Certain felines are allergic to the saliva of fleas that can result in great distress and discomfort in them. If your kitty is allergic to the flea bites, she would bite the affected area, until the hairs come out and the area becomes red and raw. It can even result in dermatitis, that can cause further aggravation, if the itchiness does not go away.
- Even dog tapeworm can lead to a flea infestation, as fleas become host of these worms that get ingested by the feline, while grooming. There are certain fleas that carry tapeworm cyst. The peculiar thing about these tapeworms is that they grow in the intestine of the kitty, that can be seen in the form of small worm segments close to the anus. This is the most commonly found tapeworm form that can be seen in cats. It is mainly caused due to fleas.
- Human beings are also not spared by fleas. Young kitties get painful and allergic reaction with the flea bite. The problem is that since these pesky parasites have the ability to fly more than 12 inches. They can swarm your feet and lower legs and ankles, while attacking you and sucking your blood.
Since flea bites are extremely lethal for the health of your kitty, it is important to get a good flea preventative treatment from the market; to get rid of these irritating pests.
Siberian Cats – The Myth of the Allergy Free Cat
November 28, 2016
Pet
1 Comment
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Siberian Cats have been termed hypoallergenic. For me this is true. The definition of hypoallergenic is lower in allergens, not allergy free. Each and every cat is different as is each and every person. We have 5 breeding cats here at Kings Choice Siberians and one neuter plus kittens off and on. I am highly allergic (hives, asthma, allergy, etc.) complete with the allergists’ test to prove it. I can live with 2, no problems. This many, I do need some slight medication. I bath them every 2 – 4 weeks – Siberians can be bathed and in fact many enjoy the water, it removes any small amount of Fel d1 and after I always indulge myself by burying my face in their clean, dry fur. In my home, I have no curtains just blinds and carpets are throw only. I also don’t let my cats sleep in my personal bedroom, to create a free zone. Finally, I assign litter duty to others and have rolling self clean litter boxes in case I do end up doing it. With all of that, I do fine. Temporarily, until the kittens are homed – we have 10. I am currently sitting here fine typing this, in the spring no less, not clawing out my eyes like I would be in the home of someone with just one domestic cat. Each person and cat differs. I do get slight itching when a kitten’s claw punctures me, but they are very young and covered in momma saliva. Just a touch of Benadryl cream and it is gone.
Vacuum, bath them and invest in an actual purebred Siberian – not a shelter cat. Honestly it is very doubtful any purebred Siberians are in shelters. If you are willing to take medicine occasionally and/or Benadryl cream for scratches (assuming you are very high allergy like me) you should do well. Customers with lesser allergies tell me that they have no symptoms whatsoever. As I said, all cats and people differ. We raise traditional Siberians only. The difference between a traditional and “not” is that the others have a color-point gene. They received this somewhere in their backgrounds by crossing to Siamese. These, I shy from as I do not wish to add any potential allergy level to what is already an amazing breed. They have been named Nevas, Neva Masquerade, Color Point Siberians, CP or even Lynx – all are the same. Some allergy sufferers also claim to do well with the Nevas, but for me, it is not worth the risk. You will know them immediately by their white coloring and Siamese style markings. Traditional Siberians come in every tabby color and many solids. Cinnamon, lilac and fawn are the only non-allowed colors. The reason for that is that again it was produced through out-crosses. They are not natural traditional colors for Siberians.
I have people ask me about Fel d1 testing. This is not a great way to choose your Siberian. The testing facility will tell you they have a 50% error margin on perfect tests. That percentage of failure actually increases with any errors in the collection. This makes the test worthless. It is also very expensive. Breeders offer these numbers more to please the public than for any real worth. Fur testing is also useless as the breeder could have bathed the cat 1st. Bathing with the month before voids the test. Another cat may have licked the test cat transferring saliva with Fel d1. So how does this boil down? Well, NOTHING is allergy free. They have recently discovered people can be allergic to cold air. So to say allergy free is to lie. However, as I said hypoallergenic means lower in allergens. Yes, it is possible for a Siberian to be hypoallergenic. Even a sever allergy sufferer like myself can live happily with a cat of their own. You have to be willing to do the footwork to investigate your cattery of choice, to pay the fees required for the breeding of such a miracle animal and to take cleanliness precautions so that you can live a long happy life with a wonderful pet that often lives past 20 years. If you always wanted a cat – it’s your dearest wish and you’d be willing and responsible, then I do suggest you check out the breed. It might be just what you always wanted.