Mary Allen
Anyone who has a cat knows that the stray four-legged friends often house subtenants: cat parasites settle in the furor in the organs of the animals and can also be transmitted to humans in some cases. You can find out what you should know about ticks, fleas, mites in the following overview.
Cat parasites are not only annoying for the animal and owner, but they can also permanently damage the four-legged friends and transmit diseases. In order to avoid health problems for the cat, it is therefore important to know the dangers of an infestation and to react quickly.
Some parasites can be detected with the naked eye, while others are more noticeable in the behavior of the house tiger or through physical symptoms. Constant exhaustion, refusal to eat, diarrhea, and irritated skin can all be signs of parasite infestation. The abnormalities that occur depend on the type of parasite.
Plague From April to October: Ticks
To begin with, a widespread misconception should be corrected: anyone who thinks that the free-roaming house cat in the city does not need a tick repellent is wrong. The small arachnids can also lurk on green areas and in the home garden from the beginning of April to the end of October. In addition, they are initially only a few millimeters in size and therefore easy to overlook. For this reason, the coat check with the naked eye is not enough.
Ticks pose a double threat: they bite both cats and humans and gradually suck blood. They can transmit Lyme disease and other pathogens. Fortunately, it is not too difficult to prevent tick infestation or to remove the bloodsuckers if necessary.
Not Only Infest the Cat: Fleas
Cats in particular that have a lot of free-range tend to bring fleas home with them. The small bloodsuckers nest in the fur of the four-legged friends and cause constant itching with their bites. They can also transmit tapeworms.
In the case of a flea infestation, in particular, it is important not only to treat the animal itself but also to thoroughly clean the entire living space. The reason: fleas multiply very quickly and can later spread to humans. In particular, blankets, carpets, and furniture that have come into contact with the infected cat should be vacuumed or washed.
Small But Harmful: Mites
Next to ticks and fleas, mites are the most common cat parasites. They are not visible to the naked eye. The tiny animals are usually “collected” by their hosts in the long grass and cause itching, sore skin areas, and hair loss.
Ear mites, on the other hand, infest the ear canal of cats. If your pet suffers from such parasites, it will often shake its head, struggle with balance disorders and constantly scratch its ears. If such an infestation is not treated by a vet as soon as possible, the affected cat can become deaf in the worst case.
Constant Feline Parasites: Worms
The need for regular deworming for cats is often hotly debated among pet owners. Nevertheless, it is clear that free-roaming cats in particular are often infested with worms several times a year. Such an infestation is usually harmless, but can also – depending on the type of worm – cause serious illnesses and organ damage. For this reason, regular deworming makes sense, as this prevents the parasites from multiplying excessively.
Year-Round Problem: Lice
Cat lice, also known as biting lice, do not feed on blood but exclusively on skin scales and wound secretions, but they still cause severe itching. The pests can also transmit diseases and tapeworms.
With special spot-on preparations, the uninvited guests can be fought quickly. The perennial cat parasites die off quickly away from their host, which is why it is unlikely that they will spread via combs and similar objects. You should still clean your cat’s sleeping area.
Stubborn Gut Dwellers: Giardia
Giardia, like some worms, infects the small intestine of cats. The main risk of infection with these parasites is when a cat sniffs the droppings of an infected cat. If an infestation is found, there is an unconditional obligation to report, because the stubborn parasites can also infect people. However, it can only be determined that an animal has become infected when the intestinal dwellers have already multiplied significantly.
The classic symptoms are diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, and fever. Giardiasis can only be diagnosed with certainty at the vets with a stool sample or a blood test. The earlier an infestation is detected, the better it can be treated with tablets or pastes.
In the course of the treatment, the bowls and the sleeping place of the affected animal should also be cleaned thoroughly. Furthermore, the litter box must be disinfected and the litter changed daily since Giardia can live up to three months away from the cat.