What Bugs Live on Your Cat?
Many people find it hard to believe that there are bugs living under the hair of their cats, but this is true. These bugs can cause a number of different diseases and infections, so it's important to understand what these are and how they affect you. Cats pick up these bugs from being outside or in places where other animals have been. This blog post will discuss some information about these nasty creatures who live on your furry friend!
Mites
Mites are a very common type of bug that live on cats. There are many different types and they all cause different problems, but there is one thing in common: itching! Cats will scratch constantly when the mite bites them and this can lead to hair loss and skin infections. Usually, though, these bugs don't stay long enough for you to see their effects; your cat's scratching makes it obvious something isn't right under its fur.
- Demodex: The Demodex mite is the most common type of mite that lives on cats. This bug can live for a few days up to two weeks and it likes living in your cat's hair follicles, ears and lips. Unfortunately, if you own an older or sick cat then this bug may be able to survive long enough to cause problems; these include skin infections and diarrhoea.
- Walking Dandruff: Dandruff is common in humans, but it can also affect cats. These are caused by tiny bugs that live on the skin of your furry friend, causing irritation and inflammation. Normally these bugs don't stay long enough to cause any issues or problems for your kitty, so there's no need to worry too much about them!
- Scabies: This is a very itchy skin condition that can affect your cat. It's caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrow into the coat of cats, causing red bumps and rashes on their body. These bugs are most common in kittens because they have not yet developed any immunity to them; adult cats usually fight off these insects before anything serious happens!
- Ear Mites: Ear mites are another type of bug that can cause serious problems for your cat. These bugs love living in the ears because they have a lot of moisture and warmth, but this also means it's easy to get rid of them! If you notice one or both ears being red and inflamed then there is a good chance your feline friend has ear mites; if not treated quickly these bugs will spread across their entire body, causing more damage than ever before!
Fleas
Another very common bug that lives on cats is fleas. These bugs cause itching, red bumps and scabs all over your kitty's body; these can be very uncomfortable for them! Fleas will also suck the blood out of your cat because they need to feed in order to reproduce. This means you'll have a lot more fighting off your furry friend than usual thanks to their bites!
Ticks
Ticks are another type of bug that can be found in cats. These bugs attach themselves to the cat and feed off its blood, causing irritation and infections around the area where they've attached. They need to be removed as soon as possible because if one is left alone with your pet for too long it will begin laying eggs under their skin! It's best to go straight to a professional when you notice these creatures; don't try removing them by yourself even though it might seem like an easy fix. There have been many cases where people trying this at home end up in the hospital due to allergic reactions or infections caused during removal attempts.
Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites are another type of bug that can live inside your cat. These bugs will attach themselves to the intestines, causing irritation and weight loss; they also may cause diarrhoea. It's very important you take your cat to see a vet for treatment because these insects love living in cats! If left untreated it can spread throughout their entire body which could lead to more serious issues like liver problems or kidney failure!
Prevention
As you might have noticed from reading this blog post there is no way around having bugs on cats - but there are ways to prevent them from being at high numbers so they won't affect your pet as much. Try feeding them food with natural ingredients instead of artificial ones because their systems will be better able to fight off the insects. Also, avoid using harsh chemicals and shampoos on your cat because this can cause irritation to their skin and prevent the bugs from leaving!
As you can see there are plenty of different types of bugs that live inside cats - but none of them will be able to survive long if treated properly by a professional animal hospital like Oaktree Veterinary Centre!
- Giardia: Giardia is a very serious intestinal parasite that can cause long-term damage to your cat's organs. These bugs live in the intestines and feed off their food, causing vomiting and diarrhoea; they also may cause weight loss! If left untreated it can spread throughout the entire body which could lead to more issues like liver problems or kidney failure!
- Roundworms: Roundworms are another type of intestinal parasite that can cause serious problems for your cat. These bugs live in the intestines and feed off their food, causing vomiting and diarrhoea; they also may lead to weight loss! If left untreated it can spread throughout the entire body which could lead to more issues like liver problems or kidney failure!
- Coccidia: Coccidia is a very common intestinal parasite that can cause long-term damage to your cat's organs. These bugs live in the intestines and feed off their food, causing vomiting and diarrhoea; they also may cause weight loss! If left untreated it can spread throughout the entire body which could lead to more issues like liver problems or kidney failure!
- Whipworms: Whipworms are another type of intestinal parasite that can cause long-term damage to your cat's organs. These bugs live in the intestines and feed off their food, causing vomiting and diarrhoea; they also may lead to weight loss! If left untreated it can spread throughout the entire body which could lead to more issues like liver problems or kidney failure!
- Toxoplasmosis: Toxoplasma gondii is a very common intestinal parasite that can cause long-term damage to your cat's organs. These bugs live in the intestines and feed off their food, causing vomiting and diarrhoea; they also may lead to weight loss! If left untreated it can spread throughout the entire body which could lead to more issues like liver problems or kidney failure!
- Mange: Mange is a skin condition that can affect both dogs and cats. The life cycle of this disease has three stages; eggs, larvae and adults. The eggs hatch into very small larvae (mites) that burrow deep within your pet's skin and form a cocoon. The larvae then develop into adults, which appear as small grey or red mites that live on your pet's skin! If the numbers of these bugs get too high it can cause irritation to their skin and in worst-case scenarios loss of fur and bleeding.
Heartworms:
Heartworms are very dangerous parasites that live in the heart and major blood vessels of your pet. These bugs can grow up to 12 inches long inside your cat or dog, which is why early detection is key! They reproduce by laying their eggs into an animal's bloodstream so if left untreated it could cause serious damage to vital organs like lungs, kidneys and liver - not to mention this disease has no known cure!
Sarcoptic Mange:
Sarcoptes scabiei is a skin condition that can affect both dogs and cats. The life cycle of this disease has three stages; eggs, larvae and adults. The eggs hatch into very small larvae (mites) that burrow deep within your pet's skin and form a cocoon. The larvae then develop into adults, which appear as small grey or red mites that live on your pet's skin! If the numbers of these bugs get too high it can cause irritation to their skin and in worst-case scenarios loss of fur and bleeding.
Cuterebra:
Cuterebriasis is a skin disease caused by parasitic flies. The lifecycle of these bugs can vary depending on the species, but there are three stages to this disease; egg, larvae and adult. It usually occurs in rabbits and rodents but can also infect cats! The eggs hatch into very small larvae (mites) that burrow deep within your pet's skin and form a cocoon. These parasites don't cause much damage and can be left untreated, but in worst-case scenarios, it could lead to injuries or infections.
Conclusion:
While not all parasitic conditions are life-threatening, it is important to treat your cat if you suspect they have parasites. So next time you see your pet scratching incessantly take them to the vet!
Read more: 8 Home Remedies for Fleas on Cats