CAT PARASITES
Parasites can affect cats of all ages, but kittens, outdoor cats, cats with unknown histories, and cats living in multi-animal environments may have increased exposure. Regular veterinary examinations, parasite testing, appropriate prevention, and good hygiene help protect cats, other animals, and people.
FLEAS - External Parasites / Insects
What Is It
Fleas are small, blood-feeding external parasites that live on animals and in their environment. They can reproduce quickly and may be difficult to eliminate once they become established.
Signs & Symptoms
Scratching, excessive grooming, licking or chewing, hair loss, irritated skin, and small dark specks known as flea dirt may occur. Some cats develop significant allergic reactions to flea bites. Heavy infestations can cause anemia, especially in kittens.
How It Spreads
Fleas can move between animals, while flea eggs and immature stages can remain in bedding, carpets, furniture, cracks, and other areas where an infested animal spends time.
Why It Matters
Fleas cause itching and skin irritation and can lead to flea allergy dermatitis and anemia. They can also transmit certain infections and tapeworms.
How to Prevent It
Use veterinarian-recommended flea prevention appropriate for the cat's age, weight, and health. When an infestation occurs, the animal and environment may both require treatment.
TICKS - External Parasites / Arachnids
What Is It
Ticks are small, blood-feeding external parasites that attach to animals and feed on their blood. They can transmit diseases and may remain attached for several days while feeding.
Signs & Symptoms
A tick may appear as a small dark, brown, gray, or swollen bump attached to the skin. Cats may scratch or lick the area, although a tick may cause no obvious symptoms initially.
How It Spreads
Ticks attach to cats when they encounter areas where ticks are present. They feed on blood and may remain attached for several days.
Why It Matters
Ticks can transmit diseases to cats and people. Cats can also carry ticks into the home.
How to Prevent It
Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention when appropriate and regularly check cats that have outdoor exposure. Keeping cats indoors can reduce exposure.
EAR MITES - External Parasites / Mites
What Is It
Ear mites are tiny external parasites that live in the ear canals of animals and feed on skin debris and fluids. They can cause intense itching, irritation, inflammation, and a dark buildup in the ears.
Signs & Symptoms
Ear mites may cause intense itching, frequent scratching, head shaking, redness, inflammation, and dark, crumbly debris inside the ears. Secondary ear infections can develop.
How It Spreads
Ear mites spread primarily through close contact with an infected animal and can spread quickly among cats living together.
Why It Matters
Untreated ear mites can cause painful inflammation, irritation, and secondary infections. They can spread throughout a group of animals.
How to Prevent It
Have cats examined when ear mites are suspected and follow veterinary treatment instructions. New animals should be evaluated when appropriate, particularly in multi-cat environments.
MITES - External Parasites / Microscopic Parasites
What Is It
Mites are tiny parasites that can live on or in the skin of animals. Different types of mites can cause itching, irritation, hair loss, inflammation, and other skin problems.
Signs & Symptoms
Common signs may include intense itching, scratching, redness, hair loss, scabs, crusting, irritated skin, and inflammation. The appearance and severity of symptoms can vary depending on the type of mite and the area of the body affected.
How It Spreads
Depending on the type of mite, they may spread through direct contact with an infected animal or through contact with contaminated bedding, grooming tools, or other items. Some types of mites are highly contagious, while others may occur when an animal's immune system or skin health is compromised.
Why It Matters
Mites can cause significant skin irritation and discomfort. If left untreated, excessive scratching can lead to wounds, hair loss, secondary skin infections, and worsening inflammation.
How to Prevent It
Regular veterinary examinations and appropriate parasite prevention can help reduce the risk of mite infestations. Avoiding contact with infected animals and keeping bedding, grooming supplies, and living areas clean can also help reduce the risk of transmission.
ROUNDWORMS - Internal Parasites / Intestinal Worms
What Is It
Roundworms are intestinal parasites that live in the digestive tract of animals. They are common in cats and dogs, especially puppies and kittens, and can cause digestive problems and poor growth.
Signs & Symptoms
Roundworms may cause diarrhea, vomiting, poor growth, weight loss, or a swollen or pot-bellied appearance. Some cats may have no noticeable symptoms.
How It Spreads
Cats can become infected by swallowing parasite eggs or larvae from contaminated environments, eating infected prey, or through certain forms of transmission from their mother.
Why It Matters
Roundworms can interfere with normal growth and health, particularly in kittens. Some roundworms can also infect people.
How to Prevent It
Use veterinarian-directed parasite control and fecal testing as recommended. Remove feces promptly, keep litter areas clean, and wash hands after handling animal waste.
HOOKWORMS - Internal Parasites / Intestinal Worms
What Is It
Hookworms are small intestinal parasites that attach to the lining of the digestive tract and feed on blood. They can cause blood loss, anemia, weakness, and other health problems, especially in young animals.
Signs & Symptoms
Hookworms may cause diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, weakness, pale gums, and anemia. Some cats may have an infection without obvious signs.
How It Spreads
Cats can become infected by swallowing infective larvae, through larvae entering the skin, or by eating infected prey or other hosts.
Why It Matters
Hookworms feed on blood and can cause significant blood loss and anemia. Certain hookworm species can also infect people.
How to Prevent It
Use veterinarian-directed parasite prevention, perform fecal testing as recommended, promptly remove feces, and maintain good hygiene. Keeping cats indoors can also reduce exposure.
TAPEWORMS - Internal Parasites / Intestinal Worms
What Is It
Tapeworms are flat, segmented intestinal parasites that live in the digestive tract of animals. They attach to the intestinal wall and absorb nutrients from the animal’s digestive system.
Signs & Symptoms
TAPEWORM INFECTIONS MAY CAUSE FEW OR NO SYMPTOMS. SMALL, WHITE, RICE-LIKE SEGMENTS MAY SOMETIMES BE SEEN AROUND THE CAT'S ANUS, ON BEDDING, OR IN FRESH STOOL.
How It Spreads
Cats commonly acquire certain tapeworms by swallowing infected fleas while grooming. Hunting and eating infected prey can also transmit some tapeworm species.
Why It Matters
Tapeworms live in the intestinal tract and may cause irritation or digestive problems. Preventing flea infestations is an important part of preventing common tapeworm infections.
How to Prevent It
Maintain effective flea prevention and limit hunting and consumption of prey. Veterinary evaluation and appropriate treatment should be used when infection is suspected.
GIARDIA - Internal Parasites / Protozoa
What Is It
Giardia is a microscopic intestinal parasite that can live in the digestive tract of cats and dogs. It may cause diarrhea, digestive upset, and poor absorption of nutrients.
Signs & Symptoms
Giardia may cause soft or watery diarrhea, foul-smelling stool, mucus in the stool, weight loss, or recurring digestive problems. Some cats may carry Giardia without showing symptoms.
How It Spreads
Giardia spreads when cats swallow microscopic cysts from contaminated feces, water, food, surfaces, litter areas, or objects.
Why It Matters
Giardia can spread easily in multi-cat and rescue environments and may cause persistent or recurring diarrhea. Reinfection can occur when environmental contamination is not addressed.
How to Prevent It
Remove feces promptly, keep litter areas clean, wash hands after handling feces, and follow veterinary treatment and environmental-cleaning instructions when Giardia is diagnosed.
COCCIDIA - Internal Parasites / Protozoa
What Is It
Coccidia are microscopic parasites that live in the intestinal tract of animals. They can cause intestinal irritation and diarrhea, especially in puppies, kittens, and other young or vulnerable animals.
Signs & Symptoms
Coccidia may cause diarrhea, dehydration, poor appetite, weight loss, and weakness. Young kittens and cats under stress may be more seriously affected.
How It Spreads
Cats become infected by swallowing infective stages of the parasite from contaminated feces, litter, soil, surfaces, or other environmental sources.
Why It Matters
Coccidia can spread rapidly where multiple animals are housed together. Severe diarrhea can cause dangerous dehydration, particularly in kittens.
How to Prevent It
Promptly remove feces, maintain clean litter boxes and living areas, prevent overcrowding, and follow veterinary instructions for treatment and environmental control.
HEARTWORMS - Internal Parasites / Worms
What Is It
Heartworms are parasitic worms that can live in the blood vessels of the lungs and, in some cases, the heart of infected cats. They can cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage to the lungs and respiratory system.
Signs & Symptoms
Cats with heartworm may develop coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, reduced appetite, weight loss, or sudden respiratory distress. Some infected cats show few or no obvious signs.
How It Spreads
Heartworms are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Cats do not have to live outdoors to be exposed.
Why It Matters
Heartworm infection can cause serious disease involving the lungs and respiratory system and can sometimes be fatal. Cats may be difficult to diagnose because signs can be subtle or absent.
How to Prevent It
Ask a veterinarian about year-round heartworm prevention appropriate for cats. Keeping cats indoors reduces exposure to mosquitoes but does not completely eliminate the risk. CAPC notes that cats can be susceptible to heartworm throughout the United States.
LUNGWORMS - Internal Parasites / Respiratory Worms
What Is It
Lungworms are parasitic worms that can live in the respiratory system of cats, including the airways and lungs. They can cause respiratory irritation and breathing problems, with severity depending on the type and number of parasites present.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs may include coughing, wheezing, rapid or difficult breathing, nasal discharge, lethargy, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Some infected cats may show few or no obvious signs.
How It Spreads
Cats can become infected by eating infected prey or other animals, such as rodents, birds, frogs, or reptiles, depending on the species of lungworm. Some types may also be acquired through infected slugs or snails.
Why It Matters
Lungworms can irritate the respiratory system and may cause coughing, breathing difficulties, inflammation, and other respiratory problems. Severe infections can become serious and require veterinary treatment.
How to Prevent It
Preventing cats from hunting or eating wildlife can reduce their risk of exposure. Regular veterinary examinations and appropriate parasite prevention can also help protect cats from certain types of lungworms.