Note: We may earn a commission from helpful, relevant links in our content. No cost to you. See our privacy policy.
Cat flea infestation is typically coming from fur. To get rid of the fleas, you must treat the coat and the skin, not the eyes. There are a few ways you can do it.
The best way to get rid of the cat’s fleas is to apply flea medication from the vet. Revolution and Capstar work great. Apply to the skin behind the head and between the shoulders. You could also try Diatomaceous earth, the last resort being Dawn soap bath.
It could also be as simple as buying a flea comb and running it down the cat, then through the water and repeating the process.
When fleas venture around the facial region, they often get trapped by the cat’s whiskers which act as sensitive detectors. While fleas don’t prefer to stay on the face, they might temporarily settle around the eyes due to warmth, only to move later to more suitable areas like the neck or back.
If fleas are in your cat’s eyes, they just happened there while crawling on the cat’s face, but they don’t live in the cat’s eyes. They feed on the blood and under the fur.
I would recommend applying a topical flea medication behind your cat’s head and between the shoulders. Effective topical flea products for cats include Advantage II and Revolution. That should kill all of the fleas all over her body.
If you observe your cat excessively scratching near its eyes or face, it’s crucial to act promptly. These tiny critters can introduce bacteria from their feet into the cat’s delicate eye tissue, which could lead to infections if not addressed.
How Do You Get Rid of Fleas Around Your Cat’s Eyes?
You must use veterinary flea medications. The ones sold over the counter have been ineffective for a long time. Revolution is one of the better products. I’ve been using Revolution for three years, and while it’s pricey, it works.
It disrupts the flea lifecycle, but if the cats are infested with adult fleas, try the oral medication Capstar (Amazon link). It’s an over-the-counter medication that you can also buy at Walmart.
In general, avoid touching your cat’s eyes. To eliminate fleas, apply topical flea medication to your cat’s body, but NOT to the eyes.
Exercise caution when spraying poison around the house because it can harm animals.
If you can’t find flea medication, you can use Diatomaceous earth, a completely natural powder made from sedimentary rock that kills fleas and other insects by drying them out.
Make sure you get down to the kitten’s skin and dust the kitty thoroughly. It will not harm your cat if she licks it off, but you should avoid doing so to allow the diatomaceous earth to dry out the fleas and eggs.
Cat owners should remember that cats can pick up fleas from their surroundings. If you treated your cat, but the fleas returned, you may need to thoroughly clean the areas where they live to eliminate the infestation completely.
Get a flea comb and a mixture of dishwasher liquid and water. Brush the flea comb through her hair and then through the water. Then back through the water to kill them. Repeat until all of the fleas are dead.
Dawn dish soap is also effective at killing fleas. It will, however, dry out their skin and should only be used as a last resort. If you can persuade your cat to take a bath, blue Dawn dish soap is excellent for killing fleas, but only if there are no other options.
Remember, while the face is a less common area for fleas, it’s just as important to treat as the rest of the body. Using a damp, soft cloth can help remove any fleas or flea dirt found around the cat’s eyes without causing irritation.
However, if the cat has previously received a topical treatment, you should not need to bathe her. The topical will kill the fleas, but it may react with the Dawn dish, so I wouldn’t recommend using it.
To keep fleas off the cat’s head during the bath, make a ring of shampoo around her neck before getting the rest of her body wet. Fleas are trapped on the body and can be removed with vigorous scrubbing and a flea comb.
Finally, are you sure it isn’t just dirt in the cat’s eyes? If your kitten finds ground inside or outside, she may only be slightly dirty. Adult cats should be able to clean themselves, but kittens may need time to learn.
Can Fleas Cause Eye Problems in Cats?
Fleas can cause noticeable patches of hair loss, tiny crusts, and irritated skin. Cats can get allergies to fleas, causing them to have reddened skin, with some coughing or sneezing. Fleas can also cause eye infections, which can cause blindness later on, as well as anemia and even Lyme disease.
Monitoring your cat’s behavior post-treatment is essential. Any sign of distress, eye discharge, or abnormal behavior should be taken seriously. These could be signs of an underlying issue exacerbated by the flea’s presence around the eyes.
Depending on how strong the flea infestation is, the cat may develop some serious problems. For example, if she has flea eggs in her eyes, you should get her to the vet as soon as possible.
Please do not use any “natural remedies” on the cat. It either does more harm than good or does nothing at all.
When trying to get rid of fleas, only bathe the cat once (if at all). Avoid using soap. You could be damaging their skin by washing away their essential oil. You might also wash it away if you have used a topical before.
If the cat continues to get fleas, remove her from the same environment. Regularly inspect your cat’s favorite resting places, like beds or couches, for any signs of fleas. These critters can lay eggs in fabric crevices, which can lead to repeated infestations even after treatment.
The area the cat is sleeping in could be infested with fleas. If this is the case, you may need to leave your cat at a vet clinic for a few days while thoroughly cleaning the area. Wash everything at the highest temperature possible.
Maintain her flea prevention treatment and take advantage of it every month. If you do, she might get fleas again.
Avoid any products that contain Permethrin. It is toxic to cats and may be found in brands such as Vectra 3D, K9 Advantix, and some Hartz products. They could die as a result of it.
Make sure the product you’re using doesn’t contain harmful ingredients from which cats could get sick. If too much or the incorrect flea product is applied, or if the product is ingested after application, they might lick it and become ill.
FAQs
Should you put vinegar on your cat for fleas?
Apple cider vinegar in the right dilution is typically safe for a cat. However, it’s not as effective and can only repel fleas, not kill them. Fleas dislike the smell and taste of it, so if it’s on your pet’s fur, they’ll avoid it.
What do cat fleas look like to the human eye?
Fleas appear to the naked eye as small, dark, oval-shaped insects with hard shells. You’ll probably notice them quickly weaving their way through your pet’s fur as you comb. The flea eggs are translucent white and oval in shape.
Should you put lemon juice to get rid of cat fleas?
Lemon juice is bad for your cat’s skin and hair coat and can harm a cat. Cats’ can’t handle lemon juice well. It may kill fleas for a short time, and the fleas would return to the environment. Natural remedies for cat fleas aren’t the best choice and should be avoided.
Alex, a passionate animal lover, has experience in training and understanding animal behavior. As a proud pet parent to two dogs and three cats, he founded AnimalReport.net to share insights from animal experts and expand his knowledge of the animal kingdom.
