What serious health problems can untreated fleas cause in cats?

Question

What problems can fleas cause in cats if left untreated? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 20 lbs

Destini R. Holloway, DVM · Accepted Answer

While fleas may simply seem like a nuisance, the reality is that they can pose serious problems. Heavy flea infestations, particularly in very small animals, can result in significant blood loss, which causes potentially lethal anemia. Fleas can also transmit a variety of diseases, including cat scratch disease (*Bartonella henselae*) and tapeworms (*Dipylidium caninum*). Many pets are allergic to the saliva injected during a flea’s bite, and can develop severe itching, hair loss and skin infections. Fortunately, most cases of fleas can be both treated and prevented at home with the consistent use of good-quality flea preventative medications. It’s important to remember to use a flea preventative that is labeled and safe for cats. Some flea preventives for dogs are not safe for cats. Some examples of over-the-counter products that are labeled for cats include Cheristin for Cats, Capstar for Cats, Advantage II, and Frontline Plus for cats. Other products such as Comfortis for Cats, AdvantageMulti for cats and Revolution for cats are available with a prescription from your veterinarian. However, more severely affected cats require evaluation and treatment by a veterinarian. If left untreated, flea infestations in cats can also impact human health with the possibility of spreading cat scratch disease, plague or typhus. Ultimately, it is best to avoid fleas altogether with the regular use of a good quality flea preventative medication. ### Cheristin is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates.

What serious health problems can untreated fleas cause in cats?

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