Can Dogs Catch Fleas From Cats? Top 2 Flea Collars to Stop the Pest from Spreading

Fleas can spread all over your home in a matter of weeks. Once your cat gets infested, the kitty can transfer the fleas all over your household – including your dog. So can dogs catch fleas from cats? YES. If this is the case, how can you get rid of the critters and save your other pets from suffering from the itchy bites? You can use flea collars as a start:

FLEA COLLAR	COLLAR BRAND	EXPERT RATING	CHECK PRICE
	Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea Collar		Check Price
	Rokey Dog Flea and Tick Collar		Check Price

When the infestation gets out of control, you will also suffer from the insect bites and in treating your pets. So before that happens, you should know the following points.

How fleas spread on your pets

Fleas are stealthy insects that can jump and crawl inside your home. Their ability to leap in long distances (given their size) makes the spread faster.

Also, if you have multiple pets at home, the spread of the infestation becomes much worse. An infected cat can give your dog the fleas. It’s a domino effect, and if you don’t act fast, all your furry pets will be affected. Worse, you will also suffer from the bites.

Take note that your chance of experiencing a flea infestation increases with pets. And with your pets as the major hosts, the spread of the fleas are inevitable.

If your cats and dogs used to play with each other, there’s a chance that your dog is already infested.

Can dogs catch fleas from cats?

Yes, dogs can catch fleas from infested cats. But there’s a specific cat flea species, right? It’s also true, but it’s a fact that fleas can transfer from cats, dogs, and humans. This is regardless of the species that infest each one. The only consolation here is that both dog and cat fleas can’t thrive on human skin. They will just feed and leave afterwards.

It can be challenging to define what exact species is infesting your pet. Also, it might be impossible to identify which of your pets brought the infestation first. Even if the fleas found on your home are cat fleas, there’s still a chance that your dog was the carrier and that your cat was just a secondary victim.

How to determine if your dog has cat fleas

The symptom of a flea infestation is the same across species. You have to watch out for scabs, itching, and clumps of fleas hiding in the folds of your cat or dog’s skin.

Here are the symptoms that you should check on your pet:

*Excessive scratching and excessive grooming among cats
*Allergic dermatitis due to the endless flea biting
*Hair loss, bald spots, and hotspots on the pet’s skin
*Pale gums due to anemia which can take place if the infestation has become widespread
*Black insects crawling in your dog’s body
*Tapeworm possibly brought by infected fleas that your dog happened to ingest

Take note that spotting fleas are a bit more challenging when it comes to cats. Since felines love grooming themselves, the fleas can crawl or jump away.

One trick that you can do here is to submerge your cat or dog’s body in a water-filled tub. Wait for a few minutes. The fleas will surely crawl up to prevent drowning. In worst cases, your dog’s head will be filled with the critters.

Moreover, you have to be alarmed if the flea infestation is massive and you have a small dog or cat. In this situation, anemia can be life-threatening due to their smaller bodies.

What to do when your dog got cat fleas

If you found out that your dog has acquired fleas from your cat and vice versa, you should act right away. This is to prevent the spread of the fleas on your home and in your other pets. Here’s what you should do:

-Bathe all your dogs and cats

The moment that you confirm the presence of fleas on your home, bathe all your cats and dogs. It includes even those who don’t have fleas yet.

This way, you can eliminate the population in your dog’s body as well as to limit the bites that could lead to skin irritations.

We suggest using a special flea shampoo made specifically for dogs and cats.

Remember: never switch flea treatments between your cats and dogs. This could be deadly, especially if the formula isn’t made for that specific breed.

After bathing, you can apply an anti-flea spray or an oral medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Again, never give your dog or cat a topical or oral medication that’s not approved by a vet.

-Visit the vet

If this is your first time encountering fleas on your pets, it’s best to consult a veterinarian right away. The professional will recommend home treatments for your pet as well as eradication tips to get rid of the critters.

Also, if your dog or cat as an underlying condition, it’s best to tap the help of a vet in the event of a flea infestation.

Can dogs catch fleas from cats? It’s very much possible but the vet can help prevent this.

-Vacuum your home

Vacuuming your home can do wonders in removing a large chunk of the flea population. Take note that adult fleas feeding on your pets are only the tip of the iceberg. In addition, the largest population of fleas are either still in the egg, larvae, or pupae stage.

It’s best to use a HEPA filter vacuum with multiple hose attachments. This way, you can vacuum the carpet, the crevices of your couch, and other hard-to-reach areas on your home.

Also, we recommend that you spend more time vacuuming the areas where your pets love to stay.

-Use a product recommended by the vet

If possible, use only the topical and oral products that your vet has prescribed for your pet. This is to prevent any complications that may come in the way of flea treatment.

In case you don’t want to use any chemical treatments, you can consider using flea collars. Below, we reviewed one collar each for your dog and cat.

How to stop the spread of fleas on your pets

If you’re lucky enough to have flea-free home and pets, you have to employ proactive measures before the critters find its way on your property. You can perform the following steps:

-Vacuum your home regularly

Vacuuming regularly doesn’t just keep your home clean from dander and shed fur. It’s also a great way to suck out any fleas from your household.

Once a day or once every other day should be enough to reduce the risk of a flea infestation.

-Wash their bedding

Always wash the bedding of your dogs and cats to prevent the harborage of the fleas. If possible, wash it in the highest possible temperature and tumble it dry for at least 30 minutes. Doing this will kill the fleas hiding on your furry friend’s bed.

If it’s impossible to machine wash the bed, rinse it with a detergent soap and let it dry under direct sunlight.

-Continuously treat your dogs

Preventing a flea infestation on your pets will only be possible if you treat them for fleas all year long. It means using preventive measures and never putting your guard down.

Keeping your home clean and bathing your pets is a good start. Also, you can use the likes of flea collars to repel any critters that may try to suck your pet’s blood. If you’re not sure if it suits your pet, you can always consult with the vet.

-Comb your dog regularly

Even if you’re not bathing your dog or cat, combing them periodically is a good practice for a variety of reasons. First, it will prevent matting, especially if you have a hairy breed. Next, it’s an excellent way to detect an infestation even before it becomes worse.

Focus on the neck, leg, and tummy areas since these are the favorite spots of fleas. Nevertheless, you should comb the doggo or kitty from head to tail.

-Use flea collars

Can dogs catch fleas from cats? Yes, but you can stop it using flea collars.

Flea collars are wonderful flea repellents that you can use for your pet. It can be used both as a repellent and a treatment to drive away the pesky insects.

Depending on the type that you’ll purchase, the collar may emit gas or flea treatment to drive away or kill the pests. It’s a safe and mess-free way to help your pets break free from the threats of a flea infestation.

What to look for a flea collar

If you’re planning to purchase a flea collar, make sure that you check the following points first:

-Type of flea collar

There are two types of flea collars, a repelling and treating type. Based on its name, you can tell the purpose of each one. Make sure that you buy one that suits the situation of your pet.

*Repelling

This flea collar uses gas to drive the fleas away. It’s ideal when your pet isn’t infested with fleas yet or after eradicating the infestation.

*Treating

The other one is a treating flea collar. Instead of gas, it emits a special medication that will seep through the dog’s skin. It will help ease the irritation and it will also kill the fleas when they bite your pet. Another variation of the treating flea collar is one that uses active ingredients to kill the fleas even before they bite.

-Size

Just like purchasing a typical pet collar, harness, or any accessory, you should always refer to the sizing chart before purchasing a flea collar.

Measure your dog or cat’s neck and compare it with the sizing chart of the manufacturer. It’s best to look for an adjustable collar so your pet can grow with it.

-Water resistance

This ensures that the collar will continue working even if soaked in water. Also, it’s essential if you have an outdoor dog.

-Smell

Always opt for an odorless collar. This will give you and your pet a big favor.

-Repellence and protection level

Some flea collars last for a month while others can be effective for up to eight months. Take note that the longer the effect is, the more expensive the collar will be.

Top 2 Dog and Cat Collars to Repel Fleas

FOR CATS: Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea Collar

This odorless and non-greasy cat flea collar will repel ticks and fleas for up to 8 months. It also kills the fleas upon contact, making it both a repelling and treating option.

Aside from that, this collar uses two active ingredients: imidacloprid and flumethrin. These are released slowly and in small concentrations to keep your dog safe and to increase the collar’s efficacy.

With this collar, fleas will die even before it bites your cat. Also, it comes with an optional reflector or added visibility and safety at night.

Take note that you should only use this collar to cats that are at least 10 weeks old. Although this is a bit expensive, it does the job of killing and repelling the pesky ticks and fleas.

FOR DOGS: Rokey Dog Flea and Tick Collar

For dogs, the Rokey Dog Flea and Tick Collar might be the best option. It can last up to 1 year in repelling ticks and fleas 24/7.

It has a waterproof design an allergy-free formula to suit dogs with sensitive skin. The Rokey collar has natural active ingredients that will repel fleas in the most eco-friendly way.

Take note that this has a one-size-fits-all sizing which is ideal for small or large breeds. Aside from that, they will give you a full refund if you’re not happy with the collar within 60 days after your purchase.

This collar is so effective that it can stop flea infestation on your pet for as fast as two weeks.

Final words

Can dogs catch fleas from cats? Yes, but you can prevent it from happening with proactive measures. You can also purchase the pet collars we reviewed here to guard your pets against the fleas.