My cat has been cleaning himself a lot lately and I keep finding black specks on my desk. When I touch them with water, they turn red! I can also brush some of them off him. I read online that it might be flea dirt, but I cannot find any fleas on him. He has not been outside in a long time and we do not have any other pets.
Should I take him to the vet to figure out what’s going on, or can I try to treat him myself at home? I have never given him a bath before, so I’m not sure how he would feel about it.
Yes, visit the vet with your pet. The black dots are probably flea filth, and an expert diagnosis guarantees that the right course of action is taken. Home remedies might not be secure or efficient.
Black specks and scratching? Indoor cat likely has fleas. They can hitch rides on people or other pets. Skip the home bath! Fleas might be hiding. Safest bet: vet visit for proper diagnosis, treatment, and flea prevention advice.