Did you find “worms” in the litter box? Did you see fleas crawling on your cat? Then keep reading to get some useful tips to anticipate and act quickly against these annoying parasites.
Did you know that parasites can also make humans sick? Zoonoses comprise a group of diseases that are transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans; some of them are specific to cats. However, we should not be scared or make up our mind that our cat may be dangerous. If we deworm our cats, transmission is very rare, since we stop parasites from multiplying and being shed into the environment through stools.
Children are more susceptible to these diseases because they play and maintain direct contact with their pets. In addition, their immune system is still developing, and their hygiene habits have not yet been fully incorporated. Pregnant women and older people are also vulnerable, especially those with chronic diseases.
Did you imagine that these risks existed at home? Don’t worry, it’s never too late to learn something new. To better understand the consequences, think that, depending on the “road” that each parasite takes to travel inside the body, they can cause abdominal pain, muscle pain, or skin or eye conditions.
In cats, they also cause many problems that affect their quality of life. Here are the most common signs:
- Itchy, red skin
Fleas not only hurt and stress your cat when feeding on them, but they are also a source of other diseases. By eliminating them, you will be protecting your cat and, at the same time, avoiding future issues. - Head shaking and abnormal ear discharge
Scabies mites are less obvious external parasites than fleas, but prevention is just as important, as they are the main cause of otitis in cats. - Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, respiratory or heart conditions
These are some of the symptoms that certain “worms” cause when multiplying inside your cat. The most common intestinal worms cats get are called roundworms and tapeworms. These feed on cats and make them prone to serious conditions.
A lot like love, the health we share with our cats is “one health”. That is why monthly deworming against internal and external parasites, along with regular household cleaning and good hygiene habits, are key to protecting your cat and your family from these intruders.
