Can Cats Get Fleas in the Winter?

The drier regions of the Midwest and Southwest have a “flea season” in some months of the year. But in balmy states such as Florida, fleas are highly active and reproduce throughout the year.

So, it’s no brainer that one reader asked: Can cats get fleas in the winter regardless of my region?

The simple answer is YES – But, cats have lower chances of getting fleas during winter since fleas remain dormant in this season. However, the warm environment in the house (due to central heating) allows fleas to stay active even during the cold season and thus attack cats. 

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Warm-blooded hosts (Cats) in Winter

Silverman states that snow (freezing temperatures – over a long time) will kill all fleas’ life stages. But adult fleas will live in the warm-blooded hosts. During winter, fleas will have longer life cycles.

As part of your general flea control in your home, it’s essential to flea treat your cat (and other pets) even during winter. Ensure to treat all the pet bedding and toys inside and outside the house, mainly using vet-approved flea control solutions. 

Notably, flea treating the cats will prevent diseases such as anemia caused by severe blood loss (from flea bites) and skin problems. However, as noted earlier, fleas will have a longer life cycle during winter. Therefore, it’s critical to be vigilant in the bug control efforts. 

Temperature

Fleas show top activity and reproduction at temperatures between 70-85 degrees range. Michael Dryden states that fleas will die when the temperature falls under 30.2 degrees Fahrenheit for over five consecutive days.

The optimum temperature for fleas is 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, fleas can also live in warmer or cooler temperatures. Notably, most fleas will be seen between May and September, which are summer and spring.

If the temperature drops below the freezing point for some consecutive days, the adult fleas will not survive. But the flea eggs, the larvae, and pupa would not die during the cold winter weather. However, the fleas’ pre-adult stages would remain dormant during winter and begin serious activity when the temperature rises.

Humidity

Fleas will thrive at a 70 percent humidity level. Moisture is critical for fleas’ survival because it helps the eggs to hatch and the other stages to grow over the flea life cycle. Fleas will develop, hatch, and survive at temperatures only at a temperature at or above 13°C (55.4°F).

Flea pre-adult stages will not survive when the Relative humidity drops below 50%. Therefore, the fleas larvae will opt to hide under the carpet fibers, moist and dark places.

Flea treating your cat during winter

Here are the steps to follow while treating fleas (killing or preventing) on your cat. 

1. Bathe your cat using an anti-flea shampoo. Ensure you bathe the cat’s head, under the body, legs, and tail tool. When your feline friend is all dried – now using the topical anti-flea drop such as Advantage or Frontline on the neck region, specifically on areas that the cat cannot lick.

Repeat this process 1-2 times every six weeks. However, change the shampoo and flea drop brands each time since the flea may grow resistant to the chemicals. You can also flea treat your house using suitable flea foggers.

2. Vacuum your house, including paced under the bed, carpet, and sofa – and clean the drain. The first vacuuming event will clean about 60 percent of the fleas. However, continue vacuuming your house for one week to clan all the critter, adult fleas, eggs, and larvae. Notably, vacuuming creates strong vibrations that will eject both the adult and the pre-adult fleas from their hiding places and cocoons, respectively.

3. Get a suitable floor cleaner and mop floors in the house. Notably, choose a floor cleaner that the most pungent smell – this will repel the fleas. However, ensure take care of the cleaner you decide if there are small children (maybe those babies) in the house.

4. Clean clothing, bedding, and pillow covers in the washing machine (with a strong detergent) and dryer. Ensure that the washing machine’s water must have a temperature of over 55 degrees centigrade. Further, if you’ve been allowing your cat to your bed, wash all the bedding.

5. Utilize a flea comb to remove the flea eggs and flea adults. However, ensure to target the belly, forehead, and neck since that’s where many fleas will exist. Ensure to have a basin (half-full) of water with a detergent such as a dishwasher soap where you’ll drown the fleas – or also use the electronic flea combs.

6. Finally, spray the cat beddings under the carpet and coach using a suitable flea insecticide every two weeks. Use a flea collar on your cat for prevention purposes.