Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Why your indoor cat has fleas, and what you can do to stop them

Rebekkah Adams
By

Fleas can terrorize almost any furry pet and leave your animal itching and scratching. For outdoor cats, fleas can be a particular nuisance as your feline will most likely pick them up while frolicking in the grass or from other outdoor animals. Keeping your cat indoors will almost certainly decrease the likelihood of fleas and other biting bugs like ticks, flies, and mosquitoes, but you can’t eliminate the risk entirely and may find them attached to your kitty.

Cat scratches his ear on the floor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Does my cat have fleas?

You see your cat scratch once. Then he goes at it again. Then again. Is it just a patch of dry skin? A quirk? Nervous behavior? While it seems impossible for an indoor animal to get fleas, it can happen and wreak just as much havoc as if your cat were exploring the great outdoors. The first step is to confirm that fleas are indeed the culprit and that your cat doesn’t have another condition that’s causing his itch. A flea comb may come in handy here since it can help you find the presence of fleas — you might even see one or two as you dig through your cat’s fur. As always, it’s important to consult a vet, especially if you think anything else might be wrong or if your cat might need special care when dealing with his fleas.

Recommended Videos

Why does my indoor cat keep getting fleas?

Even though your cat may exclusively live indoors, you do not. Fleas can get inside the home on you or your other animals, like a dog. Even animals you don’t know are in your house, like mice, can bring them in. Plus, your cat probably doesn’t stay inside all the time and that trip to the groomer can wind up with your cat’s shiny coat being home to bugs. Once they’ve entered, your cat is fair game, and the fleas will then continue to reproduce until you can eliminate them.

Related

Once they’ve taken hold, your cat will spread his fleas around the house, particularly in the rooms he frequents and in his cat litter. Unfortunately for us, fleas thrive in litter boxes and will often lay eggs there. That means even if you treat all the fleas currently feasting on your pet, if you find your cat sleeping in the litter box, fleas may have moved back in. More burdensome yet, getting rid of fleas means killing not only the ones on your cat but all of them in your house as well.

Cat being dried after a bath
KDdesignphoto/Shutterstock

How do I get rid of fleas?

These little insects feed on your cat’s blood and cause discomfort in the process when they bite your feline’s skin. Worst of all, it’s not just a bother to you and your kitty; fleas also can transmit diseases, and excessive scratching can lead to infections.

Once you’ve determined that fleas are what’s keeping your cat scratching, it’s time to look into treatments. Most cats can be given a topical treatment or shampoo that keeps these pests off your pet and kills the ones that latch on. The flea comb can help, too, especially to give your cat some relief while another treatment is working. In addition, oral medications will help kill fleas currently roosting on your cat’s fur — but they might not have a lasting impact over time. Consult your vet to determine which regimen will suit your animal best.

To prevent fleas in the future, invest in a monthly flea treatment and change his litter frequently. Be extra careful when you take your cat outside or when he comes into contact with other outdoor animals. Remember, if you have other pets, you’ll need to be treating them, too, or they will all share fleas with each other. You should also wash any carpets or bedding your cat might have used while he was a flea factory. Use only pet-friendly cleaners or hire a professional if your bug problem has gotten more serious.

While keeping your cat inside will surely decrease his chances of getting fleas, he can still manage to catch the occasional trespasser. By maintaining a monthly treatment schedule and thorough cleaning regimen, you’ll keep the pests off your pet and out of your home.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why you should feel honored if your cat sleeps at your feet
If you've ever wondered, 'Why do cats sleep at your feet?'— this article is for you
Calico cat lying on a white comforter

Have you noticed that when you go to bed, your cat automatically heads to the foot of the bed and curls up by your feet? It's no mistake, and it's not your cat giving you the cold shoulder, either. This is a deliberate decision on your cat's part, and there are many reasons why they might choose to sleep there instead of curling up on your stomach or by your shoulder. In fact, if your cat sleeps by your feet, you should take it as a compliment and feel flattered.

So, why do cats sleep at your feet? Factors like your cat's affection for you, making your cat feel safe, and even the body heat you generate probably played into your cat's decision to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Read more
What you need to know about your cat’s swollen lip – what caused it and how to help it heal
These are the most likely causes and best treatment options for your cat's swollen lip
Woman petting cat

Your sweet furry friend is a wealth of enjoyment and entertainment — from funny sleeping positions to those precious purrs. Cat behavior can be somewhat of a mystery for even the most dedicated kitty lovers, though, and those feline feelings can lead to physical manifestations that puzzle us.

If you've ever looked at your cat and noticed a swelling on the upper or lower lip, here's what you need to know: This common occurrence isn't something to worry about, but it isn't something to ignore, either. While your vet checks your cat's health, you can read up on this confusing condition. Here's what causes a cat's swollen lip.

Read more
Is your cat biting when you pet them? This is what they’re trying to tell you
Cats can't tell us when they want us to leave them alone, so you need to watch out for other signs
Gray cat biting a person's hand

If you're lucky enough to live with a beloved feline, you know how quick cats can be. They leap from counter to counter, zoom around the apartment, and occasionally grab you and bite your hand. This behavior can be surprising and startling, and if you don't understand what it's about, you might be upset and frustrated.
Your cat biting your hand or arm seemingly randomly doesn't mean that they don't love you, and it also doesn't mean they're doing this just because. Instead, there are important messages behind your cat's behavior. If you're wondering, "Why does my cat bite me when I pet them," -- there are a few potential causes that you need to understand.

Why does my cat grab my hand and bite me?
If your cat bites you when you're patting her, you're witnessing something called petting-induced aggression. These bites are generally gentle and don't draw blood, but they can still be painful and upsetting. Your cat might lick at your hand first before using their teeth. (If you see signs of aggression, your cat is telling you in no uncertain terms to back off and give them some space.)

Read more