Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

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

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.

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 do cats like being pet? (and where you should pet them)
This is the right way to pet a cat
A woman lies in bed petting her cat

Every cat owner has gone to pet their fur baby, only to get swatted in the face by their kitty. Sometimes, it can seem like cats don't enjoy affection at all. But while these finicky animals might prefer you pet them only on their terms, most cats do want pats from time to time, in the right places, of course. So why do cats like being pet? We'll walk you through where, how, and why to pet your four-legged feline friend.
Why do cats like being pet?

Like so many things, you need to understand their basic nature to have a better sense of why they yearn for your attention. Even in the wild, you might see cats groom and snuggle together, which has evolved into head scratches and belly rubs. Why else do kitties want you to stroke them? Here are four reasons.
It feels good
You may also spy your cat rolling on the carpet, lying in the sun, or licking their paws. While these actions can have practical reasons, for the most part, our beasties engage in the behaviors because they feel good. Cats can also be satisfied by a petting session from their human, and so they will look for you to fulfill this need.
They like you
It can be tricky to build trust with your pet, but once that's established, your cat will love to act affectionately toward you. You'll find them start to approach you more, perhaps rubbing against your legs or wanting to sit on or near you. Eventually, you'll graduate to outright petting and then they'll be asking for pats all the time.
You should smell like them
Many animals feel that their humans need to smell like them, which is a form of ownership to your mouser. Once you are scented just like your kitty, everyone will know that you're part of their group and belong to them. Cats also rub their bodies, and therefore pheromones, on things in your household, like your bed or your clothes, for the same reasons.
They want attention
We all crave attention sometimes — even our elusive cats. When they want you to notice them, it could be as a result of boredom or anxiety, but they also might just want you to dote on them, as they deserve. You'll soon pick up on your sweet pet's personal preferences and get a good feeling for when they want some love.
Why don't some cats like petting?

Read more
Why do cats like earwax? This curious habit explained
Find out about this curious feline behavior
A woman and cat lying on a bed

Cats are curious creatures. Sometimes, you may wonder, "Is this the end for me?" as your kitty saunters toward you. Yet, you find out your cat very much would like to keep you around — and use you for your earwax. You may have heard cats adore going ham on holiday trees and go bananas for tuna. A love of earwax? That one probably was missing from your bingo card. Yet, here we are.

Plot twist: Many cats have a thing for earwax, but why? What gives? Why do cats like earwax? Also, some items like indoor plants are toxic to cats. Is earwax? These questions are all good ones. We dug up some answers, including why cats like earwax and when to be concerned.
Why do cats like earwax?

Read more
8 reasons why your cat won’t stop rolling around
If you spy your kitty rolling around, this is what could be behind it
A long-haired cat rolls around on a brown carpet

Cats are famous for their chaotic personalities and unpredictable behaviors, but one of the most random things they can do is roll around on the floor. Most of the time, it seems to come out of nowhere. It's one thing to watch a sleepy feline lie down for a catnap in the sun, but it's another thing entirely when they flop over with all of their might.
While there's no doubt that it's entertaining to watch, not all cat owners or admirers know what's behind this silly-looking behavior. Why do cats roll around? Even though it may look like they're scratching themselves on the ground or asking for belly rubs like a dog, there are several real explanations ranging from obvious to subtle. At least now you'll know.

Why do cats roll around?

Read more