How To Use a Flea Comb On a Cat?

Some people are confused about how indoor cats get fleas. A cat may get them from another pet that walks outdoors, the owners may bring fleas on their shoes, or fleas may already inhabit the house.

Either way, no cat is free from the risk of getting fleas. A flea comb is a popular, affordable, and non-toxic way to fight parasites.

For flea treatment to be effective, learn how to choose a flea comb, how to use it, and how often to repeat the procedure.

Choose The Right Flea Comb

Before you head to the local pet store, learn how to choose a cat flea comb that will do the job. Look for a flea comb with a double teeth row to trap unwanted guests in your cat’s fur.

The comb should be stainless steel for durability. Ensure that the comb’s teeth aren’t too sharp to avoid scratching your cat’s skin.

Flea bites are itchy, causing a cat to scratch more than usual, and extra skin damage will only worsen the situation.

Consider your cat’s coat type when choosing the comb. For shorthaired cats, pick a comb with shorter teeth.

For longhaired cats, ensure that the comb’s teeth are long enough to reach the undercoat because fleas are notorious for their hiding abilities.

Most flea combs for cats and dogs are universal because they don’t contain any chemicals.

Simple flea combs work by trapping parasites between finely spaced teeth. However, some flea combs are additionally treated with a solution that kills fleas instantly.

Such combs contain chemicals that are non-toxic to cats but lethal to fleas. When choosing a flea comb with chemical treatment, ensure that it’s intended for your pet’s species and weight.

Another type of cat flea combs is electrical combs. Electrical flea combs deliver a moderate electrical charge to kill fleas without harming the cat.

Choose The Right Time

Not all cats like grooming, so choose the right time for your brushing session. If your cat isn’t used to regular brushing, it may resist sitting still and even behave aggressively, trying to escape or scratch you.

Of course, this is not the case with all cats. Some felines love to be brushed, particularly in hard-to-reach places they can’t scratch themselves.

Longhaired cats that need to be groomed frequently tend to be more tolerant to brushing than shorthaired cats that aren’t used to it. Either way, a flea comb is slightly different from a slicker brush or regular comb.

Because of such finely spaced teeth, a flea comb may pull the cat’s hair and cause moderate pain, so don’t attempt to use a flea comb on your cat if it’s anxious or stressed.

If you’ve recently moved houses, introduced a new pet into the family, or your cat got lost and found, wait until your cat regains its mental well-being.

Use the flea comb after your cat has played and eaten. When your cat is slightly sleepy, it will be less likely to move and attempt to escape.

Settle Near Water

Before you use a flea comb on your cat, you may benefit from learning how flea combs work. Flea combs trap parasites between their teeth, but they don’t kill them unless they are chemically treated or have an electric impulse.

Consequently, fleas still have a chance to escape, and that’s why you need to use water. Fleas can’t jump out of water. So, fill a sink or a basin halfway with hot water and dish soap.

Then, place newspapers or towels underneath you to catch water droplets, fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt that drop off your pet and the comb. Settle near the water and put your cat on your lap, ensuring it sits comfortably.

Don’t use a flea comb near expensive furniture or while wearing light clothes. The procedure can get messier than you might imagine, so comb your cat in the bathroom or kitchen with tiled floors. Even better if you can do it outdoors.

Don’t use the flea comb while sitting on a shaggy carpet because fleas that don’t get into the water basin may hide in the carpet and be hard to remove.

Brush The Cat Beforehand

Flea combs have very finely spaced teeth, so they may pull a cat’s hair. If your cat’s fur is tangled or matted, the procedure can cause discomfort or extreme pain to your pet.

Brush your pet’s fur beforehand to prevent harming it. If your cat’s fur is matted when you use a flea comb, it may pull out the mat and make a lesion on your cat’s skin.

Fleas may then use the lesion for their eggs. A slicker brush will do the job for most cats, but if your cat sheds a lot, use a de-shedding tool to remove dead hairs stuck in the undercoat.

Detangle knots using hair conditioner for cats, but don’t use any greasy products for mats. The best way to get rid of mats in a cat’s fur is to cut them off.

If the mat is small, apply some cornstarch to it, rub it in, and detangle it using a fine-tooth comb, pressing down the skin underneath the mat to avoid pulling it.

Using The Flea Comb Step-By-Step

Assuming your cat is settled comfortably on your lap and you’ve prepared a water basin, you can begin combing your pet. Start at your cat’s head, moving to the neck, shoulders, and tail.

Comb your cat slowly and gently, ensuring the comb’s teeth reach all the way to the skin. Stroke the comb in the hair growth direction. You’ll notice that the comb becomes dirty quickly.

Submerge the comb into the water frequently to remove fleas and the dirt that have settled down on the teeth. Continue brushing your cat down the back, on the chest, sides, and belly. Finish with legs.

Your cat’s skin may be extra sensitive because of flea bites, so be careful. If your cat doesn’t like you touching specific places, don’t do it because you may scratch the skin and worsen the situation.

If you hurt your cat in the process, it will become afraid of the flea comb, and you will have difficulty convincing your pet to sit still the next time you use it.

If your cat has lesions on the skin, don’t use a flea comb but seek alternative cat flea treatment methods. Treat the lesions with a soothing cream prescribed by a veterinarian.

Give your cat treats for sitting patiently. You may give it treats with catnip for a light sedative effect, particularly if your cat attempts to maul you.

Fleas are agile creatures that hide skillfully, so one combing isn’t sufficient. Repeat the procedure in a few minutes, allowing your cat to calm down. The second combing will ensure that you don’t miss any areas on your cat’s body.

Fleas tend to concentrate on the belly, under the chin, and around the tail, so focus on those areas. Let the fleas drown in the soapy water, then discard the water.

Vacuum the room where you’ve combed your cat to get rid of any fleas that could have escaped from the water bucket.

How Often To Use Flea Comb On a Cat

The answer to how often to use a flea comb on a cat depends on the case severity. If your cat frequently walks outdoors and you want to use a flea comb as a preventative method, combing it about once a week is sufficient.

However, there are many less painful ways to prevent fleas on cats that walk outdoors, such as flea collars and spot-on treatments. Brush your cat weekly with a slicker brush to check its coat condition and spot unwanted guests.

However, if your cat has already contracted fleas and the infestation is severe, you may need to use the flea comb daily or several times a day. Fleas multiply quickly, so your goal is to overtake them.

Is a Flea Comb Sufficient?

Many feline owners wonder – is a flea comb sufficient for cats? In short, sometimes. The answer is a bit vague, but it depends on how big the problem is. Flea combs do an excellent job as a preventative method.

However, if the flea problem is getting out of hand, you may need to implement other methods for fighting fleas on cats, including anti-flea shampoos and sprays.

Sometimes, fleas spread to bedding, carpets, furniture, and other surfaces in the house. In that case, you may use flea sprays and bombs. Additionally, vacuum the floors and furniture daily.

Flea combs are an excellent solution because they are affordable and non-toxic, but if your cat despises grooming, you may wonder what you can use instead of a flea comb.

Flea treatment for cats includes shampoos, topicals, prescription medications, and collars. Consult with your veterinarian regarding the best suitable method for your cat because each option has its pros and cons.

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