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Can a flea infestation be deadly for my cat or kitten's health?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Can fleas kill cats?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on November 8th, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Great question. Enough fleas on a kitten combined with intestinal hookworms which suck blood can definitely cause great harm to a kitten including death from anemia (low red blood cell count). Fleas suck blood to reproduce and in addition, if hookworms are present, a kitten can develop a life-threatening anemia due to blood loss. Fleas can also be a source of devastating bacterial infections which can cause zoonotic disease in humans and in cats. It is always highly advised that you keep an effective flea and/or tick medicine on your cat to prevent flea infestations from taking hold on your cat and thus in your environment. Good luck and remember to consult with your veterinarian to discuss adequate external parasite control in your geographic location

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