Flea-bite itching

What this tends to look like

• Worst over the lower back, rump and base of the tail
• Fine black specks in the coat that turn rust-red on a damp tissue, which is digested blood
• Small scabs or bumps you feel more than see, especially along the back in cats
• Sudden scratching or biting fits
• Other animals in the house scratching too

What is usually going on

Itching focused over the rump and tail base is the signature of flea allergy. In a sensitized animal the reaction is to flea saliva, which means a very small number of fleas can cause a great deal of itching, and not finding fleas does not rule it out. This is the one skin situation where the natural-first approach is clearly the wrong order of operations.

What people commonly use

Educational information only — not veterinary advice. Check with your vet before starting anything new.

Where to find them

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What you can do at home

• Treat the environment as well as the animal. Most of a flea population is eggs, larvae and pupae in carpet and bedding, not adults on the pet
• Wash all bedding hot and vacuum thoroughly, including under furniture, then empty the vacuum outside
• Treat every pet in the household on the same schedule, cats included, or the survivors simply re-seed
• Soothe the existing itch with a colloidal-oatmeal bath while the flea control does the actual work

When to stop and call your vet

• Get vet-grade flea control. This is the honest answer and we are not going to dress it up
• Ask about tapeworm, which is transmitted by swallowed fleas and needs a specific dewormer
• Broken or infected skin from scratching needs assessment
• Pale gums or lethargy in a kitten, puppy or small animal, since a heavy burden can cause real anaemia