Does my indoor cat need flea prevention?

Often yes, even for indoor-only cats. Fleas don’t need a cat to make it into your home; they hitch in on shoes, on humans, on visitors, on other pets, and they’re a year-round problem in much of North America thanks to indoor heating. Once a flea infestation is established it’s much harder to clear than to prevent. Cornell flags flea allergy dermatitis as a leading cause of skin problems in cats, and indoor cats can develop it from a small number of bites if they’re allergic. Year-round monthly prevention (topical or oral, from your vet) is the standard recommendation for most indoor cats, though some vets adjust by region and lifestyle.

When to call a vet: if your cat is scratching, has scabs around the neck and tail base, or you find black specks in the coat (“flea dirt”), see your vet for both flea treatment and a skin check.