Usually an easy way to check for fleas is to comb through your cat’s fur using a flea comb. The smaller bristles of the comb help to trap the fleas, their eggs, and the flea dirt. You may end up seeing a flea on the comb initially or you may find flea dirt instead. Flea dirt is the dried poop of the flea and can be a key indicator that your pet may have fleas or your pet’s living area may have fleas.

To treat the fleas, you’ll want to check with your vet on different types of flea medications and the prescribed dose based on the weight of your cat. Most flea medications are topical, and you can treat your cat for fleas at home. If you have a cat that may be difficult to hold still while you apply the flea treatment, ask your vet if you can bring your cat in for flea treatment. They can then recommend whether you should just drop-in for the treatment or if you’ll need to schedule an appointment.

Since some of the fleas may be on your furniture or carpet, it’s a good idea to vacuum your carpet and wash your bedding on a regular basis to help reduce and prevent further infestation. There are a variety of flea products that come in spray and powder form that can help you reduce the fleas in your home environment as opposed to just on your cat.

Alternatively, if you don’t find any fleas or flea dirt on your cat, then the scratching could be related to a food allergy, an environmental allergy, or a possible medical condition. Do speak with your vet either way so they can provide you with the best recommendation on how to diagnose the issue and then come up with a plan to treat it.