Fleas cause significant discomfort and health problems for cats. Effective prevention is far more humane than treating established infestations.
Flea infestations cause genuine suffering to cats. Cats without flea allergies experience discomfort from biting and movement; cats with flea allergy dermatitis experience severe, constant itching that causes self-trauma including hair loss and skin wounds. Kittens with heavy infestations can become anemic and die. The psychological distress of constant irritation affects behavior and quality of life. Effective prevention prevents this suffering entirely - modern veterinary-approved preventatives are safe, effective, and have transformed flea control from a reactive problem to a manageable prevention. Delaying prevention until infestation is established means weeks of suffering during elimination of both the pet infestation and the environmental egg and larval reservoir.