7 Flea & Tick Protection Tips for Cats and Owners

Key Takeaways

• Fleas and ticks can cause significant discomfort and several diseases in cats.
• Year-round flea protection is important for cats, no matter the weather, season, or your location.
• Prevent fleas and ticks from making a home on your cat with the Cozy Comfort Carrier and topical prevention products.

Fleas and ticks are a total pain for cat parents and their poor felines. Not only are they extremely difficult to dislodge, but they can cause itching, hair loss, and a host of diseases in cats. While there are various treatment methods available, we want to prevent our kitties from ever experiencing discomfort in the first place! Kick fleas and ticks to the curb with these tips from Cat-in-the-Bag.

1. Limit Outdoor Time

Kitties that spend lots of time outdoors are more likely to get fleas and ticks. Prevent ticks from getting on your cat by limiting their outside time, particularly if you live in a wooded area. We know this can be especially tricky if you have an outdoor cat that’s used to roaming as they please. If that’s the case, try to at least limit their outdoor time during flea and tick season.

Unfortunately, even indoor cats aren’t 100% safe from flea bites. These pesky little bugs can enter your home through windows, through other pets that go outdoors, and your pants and shoes. Limit their outdoor time and use other preventative methods for more comprehensive flea protection for your cats.

2. Use a Cozy Comfort Carrier

From vet visits to unexpected moves, there are times when going outdoors is unavoidable. That’s where the Cat-in-the-Bag Cozy Comfort Carrier comes in! Our soft cat carrier goes right over your shoulder, keeping your kitty off the ground and away from any pesky critters. Worried about their comfort? Breathable cotton, a heads-free design, an adjustable Velcro collar, and a snag and scratch-resistant construction ensure your cat is cozy and comfortable in their cat pouch carrier!

3. Try Flea Prevention Products

Flea and tick prevention products may also be beneficial for your feline. They work as a sort of protective barrier that either repels or kills these pests on contact. There are many different flea protection products available for cats, including:

• Flea combs
• Spot-on treatments
• Oral medications
• Flea and tick shampoos
• Flea and tick-repellent collars
• Tick sprays
• Tick powders

Never use flea/tick protection products made for dogs on your cat. Ingredients in dog-specific products can be extremely toxic to cats and cause serious reactions. Your vet is the best person to discuss which product(s) are suitable for your precious kitty. They can also help you choose products that are safe for kittens.

4. Keep Your Home Clean

Clean homes are the best flea protection for cats. Your pets can transfer fleas onto furniture, beds, and carpets. Even worse: female fleas can drop off your kitty’s fur and lay eggs! Prevent and eliminate eggs and adult fleas with these top tips:

• Clean your cat’s litter box regularly. This includes emptying the litter and thoroughly cleaning the litter box with soap and hot water.
• Vacuum everything – carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, along the baseboards, hard-to-reach corners, and anywhere your pets rest.
• Wash all pet bedding and toys in hot water every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Steam clean carpets and mattresses if you think you have fleas.
• Clean hard surfaces with a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water. It’s a natural flea repellent!
• Seal any cracks and crevices to stop pests from entering your home.
• If you have a lawn, be sure to mow it regularly to prevent both fleas and ticks from getting on your cat. They like to hide in longer grass.
• Avoid overwatering any grass. Fleas prefer a moist environment.

5. Treat All of Your Pets for Fleas

If one pet gets fleas, they’re all at risk. Clean everyone’s bedding and soft toys regularly. And if you’re using a flea protection product for one cat, any other cats should too. Dogs should take dog-specific products, not those meant for cats.

6. Treat Your House and Lawn

Ticks love tall grass and outdoor spaces with lots of greenery. Reduce the tick and flea populations in your backyard by keeping your bushes, trees, and lawn trimmed back. You may also want to consider using a flea and tick home spray. Be careful which spray you choose! Some can be harmful to cats and humans. You can find flea home protection sprays suitable for cats at many big-name pet stores.

7. Check Your Cat

Even if you’re doing everything you can to prevent ticks from biting on your cats, you still must check them for any unexpected visitors. Look between their toes, around the neck, inside the ears, and between the legs after they’ve been outdoors. The sooner you catch any ticks, the better!

When is Flea and Tick Season?

Flea and tick season is usually from spring to fall. But it can be year-round for those living in warm areas like the Southwest. These blood-suckers thrive in warmer temperatures, leading to an uptick in activity. That’s why we recommended that you consider year-round tick and flea protection for cats!

Stop Fleas & Ticks

Fleas and ticks will be no match for you and your cat with these tips! Keep your home clean, limit your kitty’s outdoor time, and talk to your vet about flea protection products for cats if you want another protective barrier against pests. Stay up-to-date with our cat blog for more essential information and tips for cat owners!