Answer: Bathing a cat with a conventional shampoo, that is to say one which does not contain any specific ant parasitic agent, will not be sufficient to eliminate existing flea problem. As is mentioned later, the successful removal of fleas depend upon treating both the infected animal and the surroundings with an insecticidal preparation. At any one time there are usually far more fleas in the surroundings (e.g. the bedding and around the sleeping area) then on the animal.
Shampoos are available which contain insecticides and, providing these are used as directed on adult cats, no kittens, they should be safe. After the cat’s coat has been soaked with water, the shampoo is vigorously rubbed into it all over for five minutes, avoiding the mouth and eyes. Then, after the specific time interval, the shampoo is rinsed out using running water, e.g. from the shower attachment, for at least five minutes, so that no residue remains in the coat. Otherwise, the cat is likely to ingest it whilst cleaning its coat subsequently. Bathing with an insecticidal shampoo may sometime be recommended prior to treatment with an ant parasitic powder or aerosol spray.
An insecticide impregnated soap is also available with which to leather the coat. It is generally more difficult to use and, because in order to be effective the residue is best not completely rinsed out, it is more difficult to avoid the cat licking in the insecticide. This soap is generally less effective then a shampoo at getting rid of fleas.
There are other points which should be clarified. Bathing can not be relied upon to drown the fleas. Many of them will simply hope off the animal as it is wetted, and can therefore hope on again later. Even if they did drown, there would be plenty of other fleas in the surroundings able to take their place. Also, because of their great mobility, combing the coat to get rid of fleas is likewise useless. The only advantage of combing is that by parting the hair it is easier to demonstrate the presence of fleas or flea direst.
Bathing a cat is a disinfectant solution, and washing the surroundings with disinfectant, will not remove fleas. Disinfectant are not formulated for this purpose and certainly fleas eggs are able to withstand treatment with any of the disinfectants that you would be prepared to use on your floors and carpets. The ability of disinfectants to destroy organisms of all kinds is seriously over-estimated by most number of the public, largely as a result of misleading advertising. The pine oil disinfectants, sold under many brand names fore household use, have particularly low activity and are not taken seriously as disinfectants by the experts in hospital hygiene. Other antiseptics (skin disinfectant solutions) sold for the bathing of wounds also have a disturbingly low activity against more organisms. Disinfectant are more likely to upset your cat by their unpleasant smell, a being licked from the coat, or even by casting a skin reaction, then to contribute to the successful removal of fleas.
