The Most Common Cat Parasites and How to Protect Your Cat

Kittens are vulnerable to both internal and external parasites. Feline parasites might not make for a great dinner discussion; however, you need to know them and discuss them with your veterinarian. These attacking invaders might live in your cat’s body without understanding until his signs increase.

Veterinarians are always readily available to provide further details on feline parasites so that you can protect your valued cat from direct exposure.

Internal Parasites of Cats

Cats are vulnerable to several widespread internal or intestinal parasites. They can cause health problems and long-term concerns without treatment despite their obvious security. These parasites include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and heartworms.

  • Roundworms commonly impact kittens. They can grow quickly and affect the development of your feline. Intestinal roundworms are responsible for digestive distress, diarrhea, and throwing up. Infected cats can spread out roundworms to other cats through their feces.
  • Tapeworms in felines are white, flat worms that can reach a maximum length of 20 inches. Many pet owners may initially find their existence in the form of rice-like pieces in the feces or vomit of their pets. Tapeworms need an intermediate flea host. A cat might become ill by taking in infected fleas or excrement.

The tapeworm type Echinococcus is zoonotic, meaning that people (and kids in particular) are vulnerable to contracting tapeworms from their pets.

  • A heartworm is a long, white, spaghetti-like worm that populates the chambers of a cat’s heart (and often lungs). Heartworm is transferred to a feline by mosquito bite, carrying heartworm larvae into circulation. Heartworms can continue to multiply within a cat’s body and show lethal. Numerous felines do not show heartworm signs until they collapse and drop dead.
  • One of the common parasites affecting cats is hookworm. This 1-1 1/2-inch parasite connects to the digestive wall and feeds on blood. If not spotted in time, lots of cats will have anemia. 

Some pet owners discover the existence of hookworm owing to skin problems or diseases where the parasite has burrowed through the skin’s surface area. You can visit their website to learn more about it.

Protection Against Cat Parasites

External parasites like ticks, leptospirosis, and many other parasites may damage a feline’s health. Understanding feline parasites is vital for preventing your pet from contracting internal parasites or illnesses transferred by parasites.

  • Please administer flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives like the pet acupuncture in Oceanside to your pet, as they are intermediary providers of different illnesses and internal parasites.
  • Kitties are particularly vulnerable to parasites; therefore, they must have an extensive assessment, deworming medication, and all essential vaccinations and boosters.
  • Indoor felines are more secure than their outside equivalents.
  • Clean and vacuum your pet’s bed linen often.
  • Groom your pet to keep healthy skin and fur and to remove ticks, fleas, and other parasites.
  • Also, make sure that the cat or dog vaccination schedule is up to date.

To End

Along with preventative treatments, proper personal health is important, including cleaning hands after touching pets and before taking in meals. Grooming animals helps to limit the risk of coat contamination, and cleaning up pet feces on strolls is crucial, considering that worm eggs or larvae send most digestive tract worms in feces.

Prevention of parasites is vital for the great upkeep of your cat or dog. Some pet parasites can cause zoonotic illnesses transmitted from animals to humans. Please see your veterinarian for information on common feline parasites.