Fleas and other bugs can be a big problem for pet owners and a huge annoyance for pets. Fleas can spread disease and make cats very uncomfortable. But can cats who don’t have hair get fleas? I decided to find out.
Can Hairless Cats Get Fleas? Yes. Fleas do not need hair to feed on the blood of an animal. They will attach themselves to any animal that they can, hairless or not. Hairless cats are just as susceptible to fleas as any other cat, but the fleas are much easier to see on a hairless cat.
Let´s get into this in more detail. Here are 3 things you should be aware of when it comes to hairless cats and fleas.
1. Why can they get fleas? Fleas explained:
Fleas are external parasites that are the most common parasite found in cats and dogs. They are very small, about 3mm when full grown, and are usually brown.
Fleas are very well adapted to bugging pets; they have claws that allow them to hold on to a pet, a sharp mouth that makes it easy for them to bite and take blood from your pet, and strong legs which can help them to jump from one place to the next easily.
Fleas crawl around on the skin of their prey and bite them to feed on their blood. The bite leaves an itchy raised bump, similar to that from the bite of a mosquito. Many pets try to scratch these annoying itches too much and can end up losing hair.
Many pets are even allergic to fleas and their bites, which can cause further problems and require medical intervention if the problem continues.
The biggest problem that fleas pose is their propensity to spread disease. Fleas carry and transmit viral and bacterial diseases, as well as other parasites. They have been especially well known for their role in transmitting the bubonic plague. In more recent years, fleas have caused the spread of Typhus and other dangerous diseases for both pets and humans.
Fleas don’t require a hairy animal for prey. They are content with any creature that has a ready source of fresh blood, which includes hairless cats. Hairless animals can be preyed on by fleas just the same as any other cat.
One upside about a hairless cat is that the fleas cannot hide beneath their fur, and are much easier to see on their skin.
Fleas often lay eggs on their prey as well, which look like little white ovals. These eggs are a clear sign that a pet has fleas, and are especially easy to spot on a hairless cat.
The eggs hatch quickly, so it is important to try to remove them before they can hatch and cause more problems for your pet. There are special flea combs that work for hairy pets, but for hairless cats, it is recommended that a non-harsh baby soap that has lye as an ingredient is used on your cat.
The lye will kill the fleas, no matter what stage of life they are in.
2. How to prevent fleas on hairless cats in the first place
The easiest way to keep your pet safe from fleas, and the host of problems that they bring with them, is to prevent fleas from ever coming into your home or onto your pet in the first place.
Hairless cats are different from other pets in that they have sensitive skin with very little protecting it, so topical flea medication could cause irritation.
However, there are certain brands of flea treatment that are less likely to cause issues for cats. Advantage flea treatment is non-toxic and can begin to kill fleas in all stages of life within 12 hours.
Owners claim that the formula is even edible, it is just horribly sour, which shows that it won’t hurt a cat on the outside.
There are also brands of flea treatment and prevention medication which can be taken orally. They are made for different sizes and exposure to fleas, so you can pick what is best for your cat.
Many hairless breed owners use other, more natural, flea deterrents. Many owners use essential oils in various flavors to deter fleas. Some of the flavors are lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass.
If you go this route for your pet it is very important that the essential oil that you use is very pure and that you would feel comfortable putting it on your own skin.
Essential oils can be used by diluting them with water and then spraying your pet with the solution. The spray can also be used in areas that fleas may gather, like your pet’s bed or in doorways where they could be entering your home.
The surest way to prevent fleas in your household is to talk to your vet and get a professional opinion on what is best for your pet.
3. What to do after fleas?
If your hairless cat got fleas and you did everything right, your pet should have gotten through the ordeal mostly painlessly. Now, it is very important to realize that fleas can linger in your house to cause more problems later.
As hairless cats are usually indoor cats, they are at less of a risk at getting fleas again from a source outside of your home. This means that it is easier to prevent hairless cats from getting fleas, so long as the inside of your house is clean from fleas as well.
Some steps that should be taken to make sure your home is flea free are:
- Wash all of your pet’s bedding in hot water
- Wash favorite napping places(window seat, couch, end of your bed)
- Do a deep clean of the carpet
- Try using a flea removal carpet spray
- Sweep all of the hard surface floors
- Wash pets toys, in hot water
Fleas can linger in your home for weeks or even months after your pet is in the clear. It is important to keep areas that they could be hiding very clean. Fleas are very fond of dark spaces, like under chairs, beds, or deep down in carpet or bedding.
As long as you stay on top of keeping the house flea free, and your cat protected by some sort of medication or deterrent, the fleas shouldn’t be much of a problem in the future.
Related questions
Do hairless cats get cold? Hairless cats have less of an ability to keep themselves warm, lacking hair as they do. They have a running temperature of 4 degrees warmer than most cats, but that won’t help them much if they are in a very harsh environment. That´s why hairless cats shouldn’t be outside too much.
Are hairless cats good pets? Hairless cats are great for the right person. They are very friendly but needy animals, and actually require more care than a normal cat, especially in the bathing category. Also, many people pick hairless cats because of allergies, but it is important to know that hairless cats are not actually hypoallergenic.
How much do hairless cats cost? The most common breed of hairless cats, the Sphynx cat, can cost between $1800-$2000. As always, there are many hairless cats who are in shelters around the world who would love to go home with you for much less than 2000 dollars.
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