Fleas can cause serious health threats to your cat and can be fatal, especially to kittens. A kitten with a big flea infestation, probably from its mother, left untreated can be bled to death. The most common allergic skin disorder in cats is flea bite dermatitis. Some cats can be infected with worms by fleas, suffer anemia from blood loss, have serious skin infections from intense scratching or hair loss from excessive licking. They may even be denied sleep due to the constant motion of the fleas scurrying across the cat's sensitive skin.

The best places to look for fleas on your cat are behind the ears and around the tail and groin. There are other signs, like salt-and-pepper-like flecks in your cat's body hair. Does the cats favorite windowsill have lots of tiny dark balls laying along it? Put the dark flecks from your cat on a wet washcloth; if they make a reddish smear it is almost certainly dried brood flecks from flea feces. Remember that each tiny flea you spot on your cat's skin is a giant red flag warning you that hundreds of fleas in the egg, larva, and cacoon stages are growing into more fleas.

There are a variety of powders, sprays, collars, combs, dips and shampoos available. It's important you read the instructions carefully. Look for warnings, such as not meant for kittens. Also read statements about contact with the product by small children, or food sources, etc. Don't be embarrassed if you don't know how to choose or use these products, ask your veterinarian to assist you. New products for flea control and elimination are always coming onto the market. Use only products intended for cats. Do not use a dog product on a cat, because they have very different skins and metabolisms, a dog treatment may make your cat very ill.

Stopping a flea infestation will fail if you kill only the adult fleas (the ones you can see) on your cat without also eliminating the immature fleas in the environment. Start with a thorough household vacuuming, getting all the nooks, crannies, crevices, and corners. Discard the vacuum bag immediately because it now contains thousands of flea eggs that will reinfest your home. Outdoors, fleas thrive in tall grass, so keep your yard tidy and mowed.