How to Rid of Cat Fleas in the House

By Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Instructions

Step 1:
Stop fleas at their source. The most important step you must take is to get rid of the fleas on your cat. There are several ways to do this and you will need to decide which would work best for you and your cat(s). You have the options of numerous flea shampoos, powders and sprays. Some of the over the counter ones may work or you can sometimes purchase them in prescription form from your veterinarian. A flea comb can rid your cat of fleas also, but this can be time-consuming and hard to do with some cats. It is a good idea to use a monthly flea prevention medication during flea season or all year long to stop a re-occurrence of the flea infestation.
Step 2:
Get rid of the fleas already in your house. The cat fleas can easily spread throughout your house, therefore you must do a complete house cleaning to get rid of them all. Wash and dry all items possible that come in contact with your cat. Vacuum your house thoroughly and be sure to throw out the vacuum bag (or empty a bag-less style one) as soon as you finish to prevent the fleas from escaping.
Step 3:
Go one step further. If you have a severe flea problem in your house, use bug bombs (house foggers) to get rid of fleas. You must remove every one of your animals from your house while you are doing this and for several hours after for ventilation. Carefully follow all of the directions given. You can also use either flea powders or sprays (or both) for hard to reach areas or as an added protection.

Tips & Warnings

Even if you cat does not go outside, they can still be infected with fleas that are brought into your house by other means.
If you use a flea comb, have soapy water close by to dip the comb in to kill the fleas you find on your cat.
If you still have problems after following these steps, consult a professional to treat your house (and yard) for fleas.
Always consult your veterinarian about any questions concerning your cat's health, including fleas.

More Puppy Pages

How to Find and Exterminate Fleas

Although fleas are usually only 1/16 inch long, they can cause huge problems. Most people with pets know the horrors of having fleas try to move into your home. Even if you try to keep your animals indoors at all times, there is still the chance that...

A single female flea can lay up to 700 eggs in her lifetime. If you don't want to see your pet turn into an open breeding ground, then follow these steps to ensure protection.

Fleas can transmit disease and cause tapeworm, so getting rid of fleas on your pet is a must for a healthy animal and a healthy home. Fleas prefer warm and humid conditions and is therefore more than a seasonal problem in some parts of the country...

Did you know there are over 2,000 varieties of fleas in the world, and over 200 types in the US alone? A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, and each newly hatched flea can begin breeding within 48 hours.This means that one flea could within 9...

For cat owners, fleas are enemies. A flea is a bloodsucking parasite with the ability to jump long distances. It is easy for a flea to attach itself on a cat even in areas where the cat does not lie flat because the flea’s body has spiky...