Almost all cats will encounter fleas, ticks, and other creepy crawlies like mosquitoes, mites, and sandflies at some point in their lives. These external parasites are widespread in the environment and can cause a lot of nuisance. Examples of complaints your cat may experience include irritations, itching, and inflammations. Ticks, mosquitoes, and sandflies can also transmit diseases. Fortunately, Pharmacy4pets offers a wide range of products that can be used to tackle an infestation with a parasite or prevent it.
Fleas in Cats
Fleas are very common in cats. They feed on your cat's blood and then lay eggs in its fur. The eggs fall out of the fur and spread in the environment, where they develop into adult fleas. Fleas cause a lot of itching due to their bites. Your cat may also be allergic to flea saliva, causing your cat to experience severe itching after the bite of just one flea. The best solution is to try to prevent your cat from getting fleas by monthly preventive flea treatment.
Flea Products for Cats
Fleas can occur all year round, both indoors and outdoors. Therefore, it is very important to protect your cat from fleas all year round with an anti-flea product. Preventing and combating fleas can be done through various types of flea collars, spot-on treatments, tablets, and sprays. Depending on your situation and preference, you can choose the product that suits you and your cat best. By using an environmental spray, you can also combat fleas in your cat's environment. Only 5% of the fleas are on the cat, and 95% of the problem is in the environment, so in your home!
Ticks in Cats
Ticks are small parasites that feed on humans or animals. They can carry pathogens such as Lyme disease and Babesiosis and can also lead to skin irritation and inflammation. Ticks prefer low vegetation such as wild grasslands and dunes. Therefore, it is very important to regularly check your cat for ticks, especially in the warmer months when it goes outdoors. Any ticks present should be removed as soon as possible using a tick remover or tick hook. The longer a tick is present, the greater the risk of disease transmission. If you remove a tick within 24 hours, the risk of disease transmission is minimal.
Preventing Ticks in Your Cat
Because ticks are sometimes hard to find and cats may not always allow their removal, it is important to protect your cat from ticks. The Seresto Collar, which can be used against fleas, also protects against ticks. You can also opt for a spot-on treatment or spray against fleas and ticks. Tablets such as AdTab effectively kill ticks on your cat for four weeks. However, for the tick to die, it must first bite. Tablets do not have a repellent effect against ticks: your cat can still get ticks, they just fall off quickly.
Other External Parasites in Cats
In addition to fleas and ticks, cats can also suffer from other small creepy crawlies. Think, for example, of (scabies) mites, lice, mosquitoes, and sandflies. If you travel to southern countries: mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies can cause nasty diseases, so good preparation is important.
If your cat is stung by an insect, a bump or swelling may occur. In the case of a sting from a wasp or bee, it is important to remove the stinger immediately if it is still in the skin. Has your cat been stung in her mouth? Consult your veterinarian, as the swelling may block the airway.
Many products suitable for ticks or fleas in cats can also be used to protect your cat from mites, lice, sandflies, and mosquitoes. Pharmacy4pets offers various collars, tablets, sprays, and spot-on products for this purpose. If you have any questions about external parasites in your cat or about products from Pharmacy4Pets, please contact us.