Recognizing Mites In Cats

If the cat has mites, it suffers a lot. In the worst case, she can even die from it. This is how you recognize the symptoms and help your darling.

Symptoms of mite infestation

Mites are annoying parasites that make life difficult for kitties. If the cat has mites, it behaves conspicuously, because the crawling animals cause skin irritation, severe itching, and a general feeling of discomfort.

This is how you recognize a mite infestation:

• frequent scratching and licking
• skin changes
• hair loss
• deposits on the skin

How does the mite get on the cat?

Many kitties love to roam freely through the hallway. Anyone who lives in a rural area or in a traffic-calmed area allows their cat this freedom.

However, during the forays, there is a risk that the little stray cat will catch annoying parasites. These lurk in the grass, in the undergrowth, or on other cats that the kitty encounters on the way. Pure house tigers are therefore less frequently attacked by mites than outdoor cats.

These mites are most common in cats:

• ear mites
• mange mites
• fur mites
• autumn grass mites

Ear mites

The ear mite causes the dreaded ear mange. Transmission occurs from animal to animal.

The parasites live in either one or both ears when infested. Small kittens are particularly often affected. Sometimes the animals also migrate to other body regions. With a heavy infestation, up to 2,000 mites live in the ear canal.

You can recognize the ear mites by the brown-reddish, coffee grounds-like soiling.

Ear mites are a serious problem. Almost every second ear infection in cats can be traced back to these parasites. If the infestation is small, the symptoms are mild and the itching is not very pronounced. However, as the parasites multiply, the symptoms worsen. A regular check for mites is therefore an essential part of regular ear care.

Mange mites

The parasite that causes head mange in kitties is similar to the dog’s sarcoptic mite. These mites are particularly unpleasant for the animal because they burrow into the cat’s skin to lay their eggs. This causes severe itching and causes severe skin changes with crusts, papules, scabs, wrinkles, redness, and hair loss. The cats therefore often scratch themselves bloody. Bacteria then invade the wounds and can create dangerous skin infections.

The forehead, ears, neck, and paws are usually particularly affected. A large-scale spread over the cat’s body is possible. At an advanced stage, the kitty loses a lot of weight and appears apathetic. In the worst case, the cat dies of blood poisoning.

Head mange is highly contagious. Transmission occurs directly from cat to cat, but also via contaminated objects. The mites survive in a humid and cool environment away from the host for up to three weeks.

Fur mites

These predatory mites feed on tissue fluid and skin material. They primarily affect dogs, but they also like the skin of house cats. The head with the ears, the croup, and the back is particularly affected. Scales and crusts form.

The allergic reaction causes hair loss. Transmission occurs from cat to cat.

Autumn grass mites

The autumn grass mite infests the cat outdoors in nature. The female mites lay their eggs on the ground. The larvae later attach themselves to various host animals. The orange-colored larvae suck the kitty’s blood for a few days before they drop off and mature into adult mites.

An infected cat feels moderate to severe itching and shows pustules, crusts, and wheals. The orange-yellow scab is typical. The spaces between the toes, the legs, the head, the abdomen, and the edges of the ears are particularly at risk.

Do mites infest humans too?

Yes, mites can infect humans too. This is another reason why an immediate visit to the veterinarian is important to get rid of the pests.

The mange mite infests humans in rare cases. The symptoms are mild and the skin inflammation is often temporary. In some cases, dogs are also infected. Likewise, mites in dogs can be transmitted to cats and humans.

Ear mites are harmless to humans. Fur mites cause temporary itching on the upper body and arms in humans.

What treatment helps the cat with mites?

All types of mites can be controlled with special medication. These contain an antiparasitic agent. In the case of an infestation with the head mange mite, additional treatment of the bacterial skin infection makes sense.

Head mange can be eliminated with a combination preparation that also helps against ticks, fleas, roundworms and tapeworms.

Antiparasitic sprays help against the autumn grass mite. You can also read here how you can tell if your kitten is sick.