It’s flea season! An itchy cat, or insect bites on human ankles, may be the only sign of flea infestation. The best way to ascertain if your cat has fleas is to comb the cat with a fine-toothed flea comb over a clean white surface e.g. paper. Fleas and flea dirt (flea excrement consisting of undigested cat blood) will be deposited onto the surface. If placed on damp cotton wool, flea dirt will slowly dissolve leaving blood.

TACKLING FLEAS ON CATS

Examples of effective flea products suggested by the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB):

* · Spot-on products: Advantage for cats (Bayer) – Advocate (Bayer) – Frontline Spot-on Cat Merial) – Frontline Combo Spot-on Cat (Merial) – Promeris (Fort Dodge) – Stronghold (Pfizer)
* · Tablets: Capstar tablets (Novartis)
* · Liquids: Program (Novartis)
* · Injections: Program (Novartis)
* Aerosol sprays: Pump action sprays, Frontline spray (Merial)

NEVER use a flea treatment product on a cat that has been formulated for use in dogs.

Petalive FleaDerm contains a blend of natural ingredients in a herbal cream and will effectively soothe the skin around the site of a flea bite.