Mary Allen
Fleas, mites, and biting lice are in season all year round. Ticks hibernate and autumn grass mites can cause severe itching and skin inflammation in cats in late summer and autumn. Everything you need to know about the right treatment for parasite infestation can be found here.
Fleas are by far the most common parasite and also the most common cause of itching in cats. Indoor cats can be attacked by fleas just like free-roaming cats because the parasites get into the apartment as stowaways on shoes and clothing.
Flea Infestation In Cats
Fleas are very agile and can hide well in the cat’s fur. To detect a flea infestation, place the cat on white kitchen paper and comb it carefully with a flea comb. Brown crumbs that fall out of the fur are moistened. If crumbs turn red after wetting, they are flea droppings. Only about five percent of the total flea population lives on the cat. The significant remainder, namely flea eggs, larvae, and flea pupae, are found in the animal’s environment and can survive there for many months.
While vacuuming and grooming help to reduce flea regrowth, studies have shown that eggs, larvae, and cocoons escape even the strongest levels of vacuuming and the most vigorous wiping actions by crawling into crevices in the floor or deep into the carpet pile. However, the offspring of fleas in textiles (cat blankets) can be killed by washing at least 60 degrees and drying in the dryer.
The focus is on combating fleas on the cat. The defense against the parasites must be carried out consistently for at least six months. Only then can one assume that there are no longer any young fleas capable of hatching in the immediate vicinity of the cat if it is kept purely in an apartment. If the infestation is very severe, you may have to treat it a little longer, and in the case of free-roaming animals, you should consider whether you should protect the animals effectively against new infestations with a suitable flea agent all year round.
Home remedies and herbal active ingredients do nothing against the flea plague. The veterinarian gives you remedies that work well and are well tolerated. Many of the preparations also help against ticks or mites. You can also choose from collars, spot-on, or pills. The duration of the effect, the handling, and the strength of the active ingredient vary here.
Please note: Sprays, shampoos or powders have a short-term effect and are not preventative.
Tick Infestation In Cats
Ticks are active from March to November. A tick that has been sucked in is gripped close to the skin with tick tweezers and slowly pulled out. Since ticks attach themselves to the bite with a kind of putty, it can take up to half a minute for the parasite to detach. An infestation can be counteracted with collars or spot-on preparations. Some products also work against flea infestation at the same time.
Mite Infestation In Cats
The most common mite in cats is the ear mite. While adult cats often show no symptoms of an infestation, in kittens or weak animals the ear mite causes an ear infection that is noticeable as coffee grounds-like crumbs. In the case of an ear infection, the ear must be cleaned by the vet and treated with ointments. After that, all cats in the household must be treated with spot-on preparations until there are no more mites.
Mange mites cause severe skin inflammation with severe itching. Fortunately, an infestation with these parasites is very rare in Germany. To protect the other animals, you should keep a mangy cat in quarantine and pay attention to the utmost hygiene.
In the autumn grass mite, which is in season in late summer and autumn, only the mite larvae live as parasites for a period of three to 15 days. After that, the larvae fall off on their own. To prevent them, you can use anti-tick products from the vet.
Biting Lice In Cats
Biting lice are the “lice” of cats and are relatively rare in Germany. They make cats nervous and can cause hair loss and skin infections. You can fight them well with anti-flea agents from the vet, but the agent should be used for at least six weeks, better two months, in order to safely destroy the Haarlings offspring.