Fleas are a common parasite in Newfoundland and can be present year round. Newfoundland has sporadic weather and fleas can survive in the outdoors at any temp above 8 degrees Celcius. Fleas can survive indoors in the winter while remaining dormant. Ticks, on the other hand, are present all over Atlantic Canada and now becoming more prevalent in parts of NL. Ticks can survive temps as low as 4 degrees Celcius and some ticks can carry serious diseases such as Lyme disease.
How do I know if my cat has fleas?
Fleas are small and black in colour. If you are concerned that your cat may have fleas, you can use a fine comb to brush against the fur onto a tissue or paper towel. If you find any debris, wet the tissue slightly and the debris will change to a red-brown colour. This debris is called flea dirt and is a sign of actively feeding fleas.
Do fleas harm cats?
Many cats can develop flea allergy dermatitis, which can cause hair loss and extreme itchiness. In extreme infestations, the sheer magnitude of active fleas can cause anemia.
Why is treating and preventing fleas so important?
Fleas are known to carry tapeworm. When your cat grooms itself, it can ingest fleas, which will then infect the cat with tapeworms. Tapeworms are zoonotic (can be passed to humans), which is a risk for children and anyone immune-compromised.
What are some simple steps for treating fleas in your senior cat?
We recommend contacting us to discuss the best veterinary-recommended flea product for your and your cat’s lifestyle.
