An Overview of cats and parasites

This overview of cats and parasites will give you a general idea of the relationship between cats and parasites.

FELINE FACTS RELATED TO PARASITES

• Indoor cats can get worms
• One in four cats carry digestive worms
• Severe worm infestation in kittens can be fatal
• Fleas are the most common external parasite found on cats
• Cats can get a bacterial infection from ticks that causes tick bite fever

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT PARASITES

• Parasites are dangerous living organisms
• Internal and external parasites can be found almost everywhere
• Feline tapeworms can be transmitted to humans (infection is mostly seen in children)
• Just because you don’t see parasites, or signs of parasites, doesn’t mean they’re not there

CAUSES OF PARASITES IN CATS

HOW AND WHY CATS GET PARASITES

• Eating infected fleas
• Eating infected faeces
• Plant potting soil can hide worm eggs
• Eating parasite eggs that reside in hosts (e.g rodents, birds and cockroaches)
• Ingesting milk from a mother cat whose mammary glands are infected with larvae

EFFECTS OF PARASITES IN CATS

WHAT PARASITES DO TO CATS

Parasites can cause varying degrees of illness in cats that can be debilitating and potentially deadly.

• Dull or poor hair coat & hair loss
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss & anorexia
• Coughing or trouble breathing & slow heartbeat
• Dirty ears & scratching of the ears
• Skin lesions, red, itchy & irritated skin
• Constipation, pot-bellied appearance & bloody stool
• Worms visible in stool or near anus

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

HOW TO PROTECT CATS FROM PARASITES

Cat owners have a responsibility to their pets and communities to protect their cats from parasites.

• Routine vaccinations
• Clean up after your cat
• Take your cat to the veterinarian for routine screenings
• Preventative medications for internal and external parasites
• Make sure you provide your cat with a healthy, clean and stable environment
• Ask your veterinarian which parasites are common in your area and places you frequent

TREATMENT OPTIONS

HOW TO ELIMINATE PARASITES IN CATS

Cat owners have a responsibility to their pets and communities to protect their cats from parasites.

• Monthly treatments prevent your cat from parasite infestations
• Know the symptoms of parasite infestation and act on them