Why Does Your Cat Constantly Have Dirt In Its Fur?

Cats generally do a great job of keeping themselves clean, so it may puzzle you to find gritty dirt in your cat's fur every time you pet it. If bringing your cat indoors and keeping it inside hasn't made a difference, there's a good chance that genuine dirt is not to blame for your cat's grunginess. However, that doesn't mean that you have to put up with it, either. Here's what you should know about recurring cat dirt and what it means for your cat's health.

What It Could Be

When cats go outside, they often roll around on the ground and in the dirt and can come back looking a bit grungy as a result. But if your cat is indoors all the time, it's unlikely that they're finding a place in your home to pick up grunge. Even rarer is a cat getting dirty and not cleaning itself. So what gives?

The most likely cause here is something called flea dirt. Unlike real dirt, flea dirt is a byproduct that fleas create when they bite your cat. In essence, flea dirt is flea poop. It's disgusting and can be potentially harmful.

Why It's a Problem

Flea dirt is a problem for a couple of reasons. Aside from the overall disgusting nature of it, flea dirt can pose additional health problems for your cat.

For starters, flea dirt can trigger skin sensitivities, like dermatitis and rashes. This can lead to a cat's fur falling out and their skin developing itchy patches or sores, which have the potential to become infected.

If that weren't enough, flea dirt's main purpose is to act as food for flea larvae. So when a flea egg hatches, it starts feeding on the flea dirt until it's big enough to bite on its own, and then reproduces, repeating the cycle.

What to Do

If you're having this problem, you should see a vet. Veterinarians have access to a wide range of anti-flea medications and treatments that can help to put fleas down for good. But in addition to that, you may want to have your cat tested for parasites. Fleas, when swallowed, can potentially transfer tapeworm larvae into a cat's stomach, where they can grow and cause a full-fledged worm infestation. Thankfully, treating worms is quick and easy, but if left untreated, it can cause a lot of health problems. Your vet will be able to tell if your cat has worms and if they need treatment.

For more information, contact a veterinary service in your area.

Share