Signs your cat may have fleas
- Scratching, biting, or licking more than usual
- Restless behavior or sudden dashing around
- Tiny red bumps, scabs, or crusty skin
- Hair loss, especially over the lower back, tail base, and neck
- Small black specks in the coat or on bedding
Not every cat shows obvious signs. Cats groom a lot and may remove fleas, so a cat can have them without being seen to scratch.
What you need
- A fine-toothed flea comb
- A white paper towel or tissue
- A small bowl of soapy water
- Good light, and treats if your cat likes being handled
Step-by-step flea check
- Settle your cat somewhere calm and well lit.
- Part the fur and look at the skin. Pay particular attention to the base of the tail and lower back, the back of the neck, the armpits and groin, and the belly and inner thighs.
- Comb through the coat down to the skin with the flea comb, using slow strokes.
- After each stroke, check the comb. Adult fleas are small, fast, reddish-brown insects. If you catch one, drop it into the soapy water.
- Tap the comb onto the white paper towel to collect any debris.
The flea dirt test
Flea dirt is flea droppings. It looks like black or dark pepper-like specks.
- Place the specks on a damp white paper towel.
- Wait a few moments.
- If the specks smear reddish-brown, this is generally taken as a sign of flea dirt, since it contains digested blood. Dirt or other debris usually does not do this.
Finding flea dirt is a strong hint that fleas are present, even if you do not see a live flea.
What if you find nothing but your cat is still itchy?
A negative check does not completely rule out fleas, since some cats groom the evidence away and an allergic cat can react to just a few bites. Itching has other causes, including mites, allergies, and skin infections. If your cat is still itchy, talk to your vet rather than guessing. See our guide to cat hair loss for other possible causes.
Do indoor cats get fleas?
Yes, it can happen. Fleas can come in on other pets, on clothing, or from outside, and they can live in carpets and bedding. Being indoors lowers the risk but does not remove it.
What time of year is worst?
Fleas are often more active in warmer, humid weather, but indoor heating can allow them to survive year-round in many homes. Many vets recommend prevention throughout the year; ask what suits your area.
What to do if you find fleas
- Talk to your vet about a flea product made for cats. Never use a dog flea product on a cat, since some ingredients are dangerous to cats and can cause tremors (see cat leg twitching). If one has already been applied, call a vet or a poison helpline now, because permethrin can cause tremors and seizures in cats. If your cat may have eaten or touched something toxic, call your vet or a poison helpline straight away: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours a day and may charge a fee.
- Treat all pets in the home, and wash bedding and vacuum regularly, as most of the flea population is in the environment rather than on your cat.
- Be wary of “instant kill” claims and strong-smelling home remedies. Essential oils in particular can be harmful to cats. Fleas are often said to dislike certain smells, but this is not a reliable way to treat an infestation.
- A bath is not a standard flea treatment for most cats; see how often to bathe a cat.
When to see a vet
Contact your vet if your cat has bare patches, scabs, or intense itching, if the flea problem persists, or if you have a kitten, a senior, or a cat with other health problems. Fleas can cause significant skin trouble in allergic cats, including patchy loss; see cat hair falling out in clumps and thin fur above the eyes for related patterns.