Flea Dirt But No Fleas!

[LoneDragon]

One of my cats has flea dirt in her fur but she hasn't had fleas in like 2 years.
None of the other animals have fleas or flea dirt.
None of my animals are allowed outside.

 

[Kieka]

It is possible that fleas came in the home with a person or, if you have adjoining walls, through ventilation or a neighbors home. Usually, if you see flea dust there are fleas. I'd do a flea treatment and clean the home just to be on the safe side.

 

[LoneDragon]

She's been like this for a while. I though she was just dirty since there were no fleas. It only really puzzles me because it's been so long and none of the other animals have been affected.

 

[Kieka]

If you take the suspected flea dirt/dust, put it in water it should dissolve and leave a reddish color. That's the easiest way to confirm. If it is, even if you haven't seen them you have a flea problem. I know my vet once found flea dust on my cat when I took him in for what turned out to be a flea allergy. She couldn't find a single flea though any where on him and she looked really hard. He doesn't scratch or itch either that we ever saw, it was just a balding spot near his tail. Sometimes those fleas are sneaky little buggers.

 

[duckpond]

they are as kieka said, sneaky little buggers! my guys are all indoor cats too, but starting about now, until cold weather in November or so, i use advantage multi on mine. Takes care of any random fleas, mites, or anything like that. I feed some outside animals, and stray cats do wander across my yard, so im always Leary of what i may drag in. I would much rather prevent a flea infestation that try to clear one up, that's HARD work!

 

[maggiedemi]

Same thing with my cat, I could see the flea dirt, but not the fleas. They are really hard to see. After I put the Frontline on the back of his neck, the flea dirt disappeared.