The daffodils are out, signalling spring, sunshine and hope. Cat fleas are also fans of warmer weather so now seems a good time to discuss how best to see off these itchy little insects!
Centrally heated homes and a reasonably mild climate mean that Cambridge’s cats will suffer fleas year round. For the majority of cats, fleas will cause mild skin irritation but they can pass on other parasites, such as tapeworm and some nasty microorganisms, such asBartonella henselae and Haemoplasma species. Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) may bite humans and will readily set up camp on dogs, being less fussy than other flea species. Some cats develop sensitivity to flea saliva, causing severe itching and allergic dermatitis. Continue reading