How To Use A Flea Comb On A Cat

Summary: A quality flea rummage is an affordable way to identify and remove fleas from pets. Since this procedure is non-toxic, it can also safely remove fleas on kittens and puppies. In fact, you can use it for many different types of pets, even if they are very small. I take had some readers tell me that they even use 1 for their rats! Regardless, with a niggling endeavor each calendar week, your pets can be flea costless and although they are usually used in conjunction with other flea products, it's definitely a good option for any pet possessor for keeping fleas under command.

Early on identification is critical when it comes to fighting fleas. If any signs of fleas are found, immediate action should be taken. Using a flea comb is one of the most popular ways to discover the presence of fleas and to actually remove the developed fleas from the fur. In this commodity, we are going to explore the best way to utilize it, discuss a few warnings, learn nigh repeat schedules and a look at a short checklist for purchasing 1 that will yield the all-time results for the cheapest price.

What Is a Flea Comb and When Should I Use Them?

Flea combs are a fine toothed device that you tin can use to notice fleas (and remove them) from pets. In fact, most of them tin be used for both dogs and cats or fifty-fifty other furry animals like rabbits. While normal human hair combs might piece of work, they won't be as constructive because the teeth of the comb needs to be very shut together to ensure that fleas, dirt and eggs are defenseless.

For removing developed fleas – This will bring immediate relief to your pet
For the identification of flea clay – This indicates the presence of fleas.
For the removal of flea dirt, adult fleas and their eggs.

Likewise recall that these combs are smashing for removing fleas from minor pets that cannot utilize about flea products due to sensitive skin. It's also a great way to control fleas if y'all prefer to avoid chemicals.

If You lot Are Using a Flea Rummage for Cats:

Cats sometimes freak out when being brushed. If you find yourself engaged in a potential fight to the death with your cat, its all-time to seek culling methods for getting rid of fleas, peculiarly if it has precipitous claws! 😉
When brushing, be aware of whatsoever sensitive areas on your cat. While they may non be any cause for concern, whatever pain your cause during the procedure will create a fear that may make your pet run as soon as they see you accept out the comb. Since you volition probably be doing this fairly often, that is the last thing that you lot want and will make things difficult for you in the future.
If your true cat has a number of flea bites, brushing their fur and using the comb to find fleas can be very painful due to inflammation. I recommend treating the bites with a soothing cream before brushing or alternatively, just be gentle while doing it to avoid whatsoever unnecessary pain.

Flea Combs for Dogs (And Cats) – How to Apply Them

I know what you lot are thinking – how hard could it be? To be honest, it's equally easy as brushing your own pilus so information technology shouldn't be too difficult (hopefully). Withal, since we are using a flea comb to find and identify fleas and their remains, there are a few things that you can do to improve your success rate.

Unless your domestic dog or true cat has very short fur, the outset thing that you should do is brush it with a normal sized flea comb to ensure that its fur is costless of knots. Since the flea rummage has very fine teeth, if you try and brush your pet with it and its pilus is tangled, information technology will exist extremely difficult to do and tin can even hurt your pet.
You will need a place to discard of any fleas and clay that y'all notice. The easiest way to do this is to pour some hot water into a container of your choice and pour some lemon based dish soap into it (about the aforementioned corporeality you would put into your sink before washing dishes). In fact, washing your pet with this mixture can go rid of fleas on your dog and its something to keep in mind for the futurity. Many people recommend putting flea spray or something like that in the water but information technology's really not necessary.
Take your pets outside! Since fleas tin can jump from their fur, we don't want them to escape back into the house. As well remember that flea eggs can besides fall off your pet, we also desire to keep those away from our carpets otherwise we will take another outbreak of fleas in the near future. Sit down your pet downwardly and get ready to use your flea comb. At this indicate, y'all may want to request the assistance of a friend or family member. While almost pets commonly love the attention, some pets don't appreciate being held down and from experience, they tin can sometimes physically bear witness yous their displeasure. If you lot are combing a true cat, this can consequence in much pain and it's a good thought to have some fill-in available. 😉
Starting with the head and cervix region, give your pet's fur a expert (merely gentle) brush, making sure that you take the fourth dimension to embrace all areas. The tummy region is also a mutual place for fleas to hang out and so don't forget it! While combing for fleas, you will also need to cheque your pet's paws to ensure that no fleas are left behind. I usually dunk the comb into my hot h2o/soap solution every couple brushes or when I notice whatsoever fleas or dirt on it.

How Oft Should I Utilize These Combs?

Clock image for schedule flea combing If you have a bad flea problem in your area (places with an excessive amount of trees, grass, etc. are especially vulnerable), you may demand to do this on a daily footing.

All the same, I usually comb my pets at to the lowest degree once a week to ensure that I am proactive with my flea control and I have found this to exist perfectly sufficient. Just recall that your canis familiaris may pick upward fleas during an outdoor visit to the park or during a long run then it may be worth checking it's fur after to make certain there are no fleas. If you are using a monthly spot on handling (like Front Line or Reward), the requirement to consistently brush your pets for fleas is reduced merely I still recommend a checkup from fourth dimension to time.

Where Tin I Purchase a Comb and How Much Will Information technology Cost?

You can purchase one at most pet shops, vets and even supermarkets usually stock them. Remember that you will also need a normal pet brush (if you don't have 1 already) that can remove the knots and tangles out of the fur. This should not exist the same brush y'all utilise for flea combing. Here are a few things to expect for when purchasing a quality flea comb:

Preferably, you should purchase ane with metal teeth. In my experience, a plastic flea rummage tends to non last long and metal ones are a lot stronger.
The comb teeth demand to be very shut together (fine toothed) and it's ideal to become one with 2 rows (double row) of them. This improves the chances of communicable the fleas, eggs and dirt while brushing your animal.
I usually look for a production that has a rubber handle. I find that it makes information technology easier to use only this is optional.
Y'all shouldn't need to spend annihilation more than then $15. There are even decent quality flea combs that sell for as depression as $5 and then they should be affordable for most people.

Is That All That I Need to Practise to Control Fleas?

Picture of a flea comb A quick respond – sometimes 🙂 I know that's a chip vague but if y'all accept an isolated, small flea problem, removing them off your pet is usually all you need to do. Even so, if your flea problem is adequately bad and you accept noticed fleas in your carpets, beds and other areas around your domicile, addition steps demand to be taken. Yous can use flea bombs to kill the fleas inside and a few natural flea removal methods or flea products (like Frontline) to get rid of them nice and quickly.

In conclusion, regular preparation is very important, especially for finding and getting rid of fleas. While it's oftentimes not the just thing that needs to be done, taking a proactive stance against fleas tin assist y'all avoid major issues after. As long as you are consistent and follow a regular routine, flea combs are a very constructive, non-toxic, affordable way to control fleas on your pets and their use is recommended past The Bug Squad. Thanks for reading my guide and I invite y'all to get out a annotate below. Update: As per popular request, I have written an article on using benign nematodes for outdoor fleas, bank check it out if little furry friends keep bringing in fleas from your garden.

Howdy! My name is Natasha, and I have been helping people with their insect problems since 2012. I take published a book, worked with many pest command companies, and helped thousands with diverse infestations on a ane-to-one ground. My goal for this web log is to create testify-based guides that are easy to understand, provide sufficient depth and can be trusted to be very authentic. Please call up that my guides are for informational purposes just, and that you agree to the terms of use when reading content on this website. If you go out a comment, I typically answer within 48 hours.