Pet First Aid UK
Monitor — routine vet appointment

Cat with fleas

Use only cat-specific flea treatments — never dog products; treat the home, all pets, and continue monthly.

Cat

In the next 60 seconds

  1. Cat-specific vet-recommended treatment on all cats (and dogs in household).
  2. Treat the home (vacuum, wash bedding hot, household spray).
  3. Repeat monthly.

Recognise the signs

  • Scratching, overgrooming, hair loss
  • Flea dirt on coat, especially over the tail base
  • Visible fleas
  • Anaemia in heavy infestations (kittens especially)

First aid steps

  1. Cat-specific vet-recommended treatment on all cats (and dogs in household).
  2. Treat the home (vacuum, wash bedding hot, household spray).
  3. Repeat monthly.

Do NOT

  • NEVER use dog flea products on cats — permethrin can kill (see cat-permethrin-poisoning).
  • Do not use over-the-counter products without vet input — quality varies.
  • Do not skip the environment.

When to phone the vet immediately

  • Severe self-trauma
  • Pale gums in kittens — anaemia is a real risk
  • Permethrin exposure

Common causes

  • Year-round, particularly in homes with outdoor cats or other pets

What the vet will need to know

  • Current product (and full name)
  • All pets in household
  • Severity

Aftercare

  • Monthly prevention, indefinite.
  • Tapeworm treatment.
  • Address skin damage.

Prevention

  • Year-round cat-specific prevention.
  • Treat all pets in household.
  • Treat home environment.

Frequently asked questions

Can fleas kill kittens?

Yes — heavy infestations cause life-threatening anaemia in young kittens. Treat promptly with kitten-safe products only.

Indoor-only cat — do I really need flea treatment?

Highly recommended — fleas hitch on humans and via dogs. Indoor-only doesn't mean flea-free.

What if my dog's spot-on touched my cat?

See cat-permethrin-poisoning — wash thoroughly with mild dish soap, phone the vet immediately.

Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 Emergency
contacts