The Best Time To Find Ticks 
And Fleas On Your Cat

By Teri Champigny

One of the great benefits of owning a cat is that they generally do not need any special grooming procedures done by the owner. Unlike dogs, cats will use their tongue to wash themselves. Cats do this self-cleaning several times every day to keep their fur shiny and dust-free. However, do not ignore giving your cat a good brushing now and again because they absolutely love the tingling feeling of being massaged.

Brushing Your Cats During Shedding Season

As a cat owner, you may want to consider extra grooming important, especially during the times your cat is shedding heavily. A technique that I personally use involves working the cat's fur with a brush and a moist latex glove. I brush with my left hand and then I use my right hand with a moistened glove to stroke the cat's fur and collect the loose hairs. Just doing this procedure once will surprise you at just how much loose fur will be removed. These loosened hairs are ones that your cat was unable to remove with her tongue. 

A Great Time To Check For Fleas & Ticks

One of the best opportunities to find those itchy fleas and clingy ticks is when you are brushing your cat. If your cat is a free roamer and spends a lot of time outdoors then he will probably pick up quite a few ticks along the way. Once you find these parasites during your brushing procedure, they can be removed by a little dab of special tick fluid (which can be found in most pet stores) or for a home remedy you can use salad oil. After you have applied the liquid then twist  the parasite carefully with a pair of tweezers. Instead of tweezers you  may also use a pair of “tick pliers” (these can also be found in most pet stores). Be very cautious about not leaving the head of the tick still embedded within your cat's skin. This will lead to major irritations and possibly infection.

Ticks may be picked up less frequently than fleas will so it is best to always be on the lookout for fleas within your cat's fur. Fleas must be combated on a regular basis (especially for outdoor cats). Fleas are major carriers of worm eggs and diseases and they are the toughest parasites to get rid of over the longterm. 

If your cat does have a problem with fleas then it is best to go directly to your veterinarian. He will have a choice of products for you to choose from. These flea treatment products may come in the form of soaps, sprays, sticks, powders, and dips. Your veterinarian will also lay out a treatment procedure for your cat to follow as well as a worm check.