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Should I Let My Cat With Fleas Sleep On My Bed?

 If your cat has fleas, and is always keen to hop onto your bed, you may be wondering if this is a good idea or not…

Should I Let My Cat With Fleas Sleep On My Bed?

It’s not a good idea to let your cat sleep on your bed when they have fleas. While there is the obvious discomfort of the bites that you and kitty will be receiving, there is another very good reason to keep fleas away from your bed. Fleas love making a new home in a comfy bed.

So, now you know. But, can these fleas really spread to your bed? How can I prevent my cat getting them in teh first place? How long can fleas live in your bed? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Can cat fleas spread in my bed?

Yes, they can. Fleas enjoy the warmth of beds and it’s only a short matter of time before they will lay eggs in the mattress and begin producing fecal matter in order to feed their young. Fleas multiply very quickly, as the mother can lay around 40 to 50 eggs per day for about 50 days’ time.

That means that you need to work FAST. Consider hiring a professional or at the very least, check into insect repellant options such as fumigating ‘bombs’, flea powder that you can sprinkle in the carpet and vacuum up, a flea collar for your kitty… you get the idea!

Start making a strategy to deal with them now or you’ll be very unhappy later!

How can I prevent my cat from getting fleas?

When it comes to preventing fleas in the first place, you’ve got a few good options at your disposal. While everyone thinks about flea collars first, those only cover the head and neck, but flea powder is an excellent option – just be sure that it is designed specifically for cats, as dog flea treatment products are very toxic to your cat!

Put a flea collar in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum regularly. This will help when fleas occasionally get in and the collar in the bag will kill fleas inside as well as hatchlings. Another easy way to reduce fleas can be done when it gets warm outside. Simply hose off the backyard from time to time and this will help to drive away fleas as well.

Finally, consider a monthly anti-flea treatment for your kitty, either through a vet or by means of commercial treatment products available. As with the flea powder, remember that the treatment you select must be specifically for cats – dog flea treatments are made different and dangerous to your cat’s health.  

Why is your bed attractive to fleas?

A bed is both fuzzy and warm, two things that fleas are quite fond of, and over time they can find their way to the mattress where they will lay eggs – this is something that you definitely don’t want. Start dealing with the fleas right away before the problem gets much, much worse and keep kitty off of the bed for awhile – it’s good for both of you!

How long do fleas live in your bed?

Fleas need a host to feed off of, so if you’ve noticed fleas in your bed and now you’re sleeping in the guest room, then the fleas in the bed can only stay there for a period of a week or two. If you are still sleeping there, of course, then it’s a different story. The fleas could stay for a very long time.

They’ll burrow into the bed and likely lay eggs in the mattress, but they will most likely move on and live on your kitty, so you’ll want to make sure that you treat your cat with a flea shampoo, vacuum regularly, and a flea-fogger might be just what the doctor ordered.

You can ask a friend to watch your kitty or use pet boarding services for part of the day so that you can fumigate and stop those fleas in their tracks.

How do I get rid of cat fleas in my bed?

If fleas have gotten into your bed, then the first thing that you will want to do is to wash the sheets and your blankets while using some detergent and the hot cycle setting. The heat from the water should kill off the fleas and the dryer session afterward should get any stragglers.

Next, you’ll want to vacuum the mattress thoroughly. Make sure that you get the spots close to the seams and after you’ve vacuumed the top, flip the mattress and repeat the process. Feel free to do this multiple times, as this is your best chance for getting any eggs and fleas that are in hiding in your mattress.

Can I touch my cat if it has fleas?

You can and it’s definitely okay to comfort your kitty, just keep in mind that you might get a flea bite or two. You can examine your cat to get an idea of how many fleas are hiding out by using a comb and most cats will appreciate the feel of this type of inspection.

 Flea shampoo is a quick way to give your cat a little relief, though they might be a little angry with you at first. Flea powder is also an option and after powdering the cat, you can use some on the carpet. Just sprinkle a bit and let it sit for 15 – 20 minutes before vacuuming the powder up.

How do you keep fleas off me while I sleep?

You’ve got a few options for keeping those fleas off of your skin while you are combatting them. First off, pajama-up and wear socks. Fleas can’t bite through clothing, so pajamas and socks will work, or simply jeans with the legs tucked into socks can work wonders.

You can also use flea repellents, like DEET or permethrin, or if you prefer natural methods to chemical ones, then add 5 drops of myrtle or thyme oil to 1 cup of carrier oil and you can either put it in a small spray bottle or just rub a little on your skin.

Interestingly enough, this natural method scored higher in a study than the two chemicals we’ve listed, so take it into consideration – it definitely smells nicer!

Can fleas live in pillows?

Yes, fleas can and do sometimes live in pillows, so you’ll want to take some preventative measures or treat your pillows if they are already showing signs that fleas have moved in.

 You’ll want to wash your pillows in pairs so that it doesn’t imbalance the washing machine, and when you dry them, you should do so with a few tennis balls, wrapped in socks, so that your pillows get a good fluffing and the heat takes care of stragglers.

 Finally, you’ll need to check for holes in the pillow and sew these up if you find them. This will keep fleas from getting inside and causing even more trouble!

IS ONE flea a problem?

Yes. A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day for a period of up to 50 days so that one flea can turn into 2500 in less than 2 months.  Also, while you have only noticed one flea, the odds are that there are more that you simply haven’t spotted yet.

If your cat has fleas too, keep in mind that flea eggs can fall off of your cat and get spread around everywhere that they go – it’s a problem that can quickly get out of control, so as soon as you notice even a single flea then you’re going to need to get proactive about getting rid of them right away, right NOW.

Are fleas more active at night?

Yes. Like many parasitic insects, fleas are mostly active at night. While you will definitely see a few during the day, it’s the nighttime when they will be actively seeking out sleeping hosts to feed on.

Before you go to sleep, it’s a good idea to put on a long-sleeved shirt and pants tucked into your socks to help minimize bites if you are still dealing with fleas in the house.

Flea repellents such as DEET or natural repellants such as Thyme oil can also give you some added protection to help you sleep more soundly through the night. When the day comes, consider housing your cat somewhere safe and deploying a fogger – the sooner you get rid of those fleas, the better life will be!