Mary Allen
Parasites are an issue that affects all cats and their owners. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an outdoor cat or a house cat: every cat has at some point picked up an uninvited passenger with more than four legs or is exposed to the potential risk.
Ectoparasites – i.e. parasites that live on the skin and fur of the cat and feed on their skin cells or blood – can transmit dangerous infectious diseases. We introduce you to the most important representatives and give tips on preventive care.
Mites In Cats
Mites are the most species-rich group of arachnids and are often not visible to the naked eye. Ear mites and autumn grass mites are particularly important for our cats: the former tend to infest the ear region, causing severe itching there and leaving a crumbly, dark brown coating in the auricle.
The fall grass mite becomes a vegetarian when fully grown, but until then its larvae feast on a host. Autumn grass mites prefer to look for thin, sparsely hairy areas on the skin (e.g. in the area between the toes) and cause constant scratching and gnawing of the skin there. Heavy mite infestation can damage the skin barrier and promote inflammation.
The bad news: there is currently no drug approved for cats that can effectively prevent mite infestation. The good news: Since mites do not transmit diseases, they are often no more than a harmless nuisance. Depending on the type of mite and the severity of the infestation, a veterinarian will treat the cat with an ointment, a spray, or a spot-on and, if necessary, give it a bath prescribe with a medicated shampoo.
The Essentials In Brief:
- Depending on the species, mites are active seasonally or all year round
- The following applies to outdoor cats: regular coat and ear checks!
- In the event of a mite infestation, treat all cats in the household
- Keep sleeping places etc. clean
Fleas In Cats
Fleas are insects and have a flattened body that is easy to see with the naked eye. Flea bites are not only annoying, but they can also transmit infectious diseases such as cat-scratch disease or other parasites such as tapeworms.
Some cats have a severe allergic reaction to the saliva that a flea secretes when they bite, causing severe itching and skin changes all over their body.
A flea test is quick: stand your cat on a white cloth and comb through its fur. If black crumbs become visible on the surface, which turns red when they come into contact with a damp handkerchief, it is flea excrement, which is a clear indication of an infestation.
Spot-on, collars, or sprays are suitable for flea treatment and prevention. You should stay away from home remedies that are toxic to cats, such as garlic or tea tree oil. The effect of coconut oil or amber as a protective measure has not yet been scientifically proven. It is safer to get advice from the vet about a preparation that offers sufficient protection.
The essentials in brief:
- For outdoor cats: regular flea prevention is a must!
- For indoor cats: treatment only necessary if infested
- Cat fleas also hop on people and dogs!
- Always treat the environment
Ticks In Cats
Ticks are feared, and rightly so: the arachnids can transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, or anaplasmosis. Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME), on the other hand, is irrelevant for cats: they can become infected with the virus, but do not show any typical symptoms of the disease.
Cats pick up ticks outdoors, where they graze the bloodsuckers on grass. The longer a tick bites, the higher the risk of potential infection. Ideally, you want a tick not to bite the cat in the first place, but to run away beforehand.
Corresponding drugs with a so-called “repellent effect” are currently largely reserved for dogs, because they contain an active ingredient that is highly toxic to cats. Therefore, antiparasitic drugs intended for dogs should never (!) be used on cats. Most cat tick repellents—be it spot-on or collars—kill the tick once it attaches. Such a provision is essential for people who are out on leave and who go on many, long forays.
If you discover a sucking tick despite all protective measures, then the following applies: It has to get out, and as quickly as possible! Do not experiment and do not sprinkle oil, alcohol, or the like on the tick; a turning movement when pulling out is also unnecessary. Slowly pull the tick out of the bite canal with an even pull. It usually takes a while for their mandibles to come loose, but then they can be removed very easily.
Do not wait until the tick has saturated itself and falls off by itself. If a tick is not removed properly, the remains left in the skin can cause local inflammatory reactions. Get help from a veterinarian if you are unsure.
The Essentials In Brief:
- The pests are active from February to late autumn
- Outdoor cats should definitely be given a tick repellent
- Don’t flush ticks down the toilet, crush them
- Ticks bite people too!