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288 results for “cat parasites”
100 Essential Tips Every New Cat Owner Should Know
Bringing home a first kitten is exciting but daunting, and poor care can hurt both of you. These 100 essentials cover diet (life-stage food, toxic grapes/chocolate/onion/garlic, no bones or raw meat, fresh water), daily care (brushing, nail and ear cleaning, litter hygiene, n+1 boxes), health (vaccines at 8–12 weeks, deworming, normal temperature 38–39.2°C, spay/neuter, no human meds), behavior (slow blinks, tail talk, no punishment), and home safety (screens, hiding wires, toxic plants, no smoke). Read them once and you'll share a calmer, healthier life with your cat.
Why Do Cats Get Cracked Paw Pads?
Cracked paw pads are common in cats, but the cause determines the fix, so treatment should target the underlying issue. Overgrown keratin, the protective layer on the pad, can thicken from too much time on hard floors and too little movement, leading to cracks, so give cats soft surfaces and enough rest. Dry air and low water intake dry the pads out, making humidity control and constant access to fresh water essential. Poor nutrition, especially zinc deficiency, leaves pads dry and brittle, so feed a balanced, high-quality diet. External irritants like grass spines and parasites can also crack the skin, so check and clean the paws regularly. Fungal or bacterial infection brings redness, itch, pain, even bleeding, and needs cleaning, disinfecting, and the right medication. Keeping indoor humidity up, feeding good food, and ensuring hydration are the best defenses.
Why Is Your Cat Vomiting White Foam?
White foam vomiting in cats has many causes—food intolerance, digestive upset, hairballs, and gastrointestinal disease among them. Take it seriously and find the trigger. Prevention includes regular brushing, avoiding spoiled or hard-to-digest food, and routine deworming. If it's food-related, pause feeding then switch foods; for digestion, offer easily digestible food; for hairballs, give hairball remedies and brush often; if a health problem is behind it, see a vet rather than dosing blindly.
How to Choose a Combined Parasite Treatment for Your Cat
Even indoor cats catch parasites—fleas, ear mites, roundworms, and mosquito-borne heartworm all reach them. Combined spot-ons treat inside and out in one dose without pills, which is why they are the top choice for house cats. The real question isn't 'which brand' but 'which active ingredients fit your cat's risks.' Here is the science, minus the marketing.
Why Do Cats Get Folliculitis?
Feline folliculitis is a common skin condition that causes discomfort and distress for cats. It can be triggered by a mix of external factors, daily habits, and even genetics. Environmental issues such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites thrive in warm, humid conditions and raise the risk of infection. Over-grooming, scratching, and poor coat care can also damage the skin and lead to flare-ups, while long-haired breeds like Persians and Siamese are genetically more prone to it. The good news is that folliculitis is manageable. Treatment involves clipping the affected area, cleaning with saline, disinfecting with iodine, and applying an antibacterial ointment daily. Prevention relies on a balanced diet, regular grooming, a clean and dry living space, gentle bath products, and routine veterinary checkups. With the right care, owners can greatly reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Why Does Your Cat Eat but Stay Thin? (Worms and More)
A cat that eats well but stays thin is often fighting intestinal parasites—roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, giardia, or coccidia—that steal nutrients and release toxins interfering with digestion, causing slow or lost weight, anemia, and poor growth. Tell-tale signs include soft stools, rice-like segments near the anus, scooting, pale gums, and a swollen belly. But worms are not the only cause: poor absorption, hyperthyroidism or diabetes, repeated heat cycles, or a low-protein diet can also keep a cat lean. The fix is a tailored deworming plan plus gut probiotics and high-protein meals; spaying helps if heat is the driver. See a vet if weight keeps dropping.
Why Does Your Cat Suddenly Dart Around the House?
When a cat suddenly tears around the house, pounces at empty air, or arches its back and puffs up, it is usually showing what veterinarians call Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPS)—a normal behavior, especially in kittens and young cats. The triggers are mostly instinctual: a retained hunting drive, excess energy, stress, or heat in unspayed cats. Occasionally, frantic running signals a health problem such as hyperthyroidism, a neurological disorder, or a parasitic infection, particularly when paired with appetite loss, weight drop, or lethargy. Meeting the cat's exercise needs with toys and play, plus a calm, safe environment, keeps normal zoomies harmless and happy.
What Causes Watery Stool in Cats?
Watery stool in cats can stem from diet, digestion, or disease, and the fix depends on the cause. Drinking too much water or eating very moist food can loosen stools, as can irregular, all-you-can-eat feeding that upsets a sensitive gut—here, pet probiotics help restore balance. Parasites and viruses are more serious: worms in the stool signal a parasite infection needing deworming, while an unvaccinated cat with watery diarrhea may have a dangerous viral infection and needs a vet fast. If diarrhea lasts or comes with other symptoms, see a clinic. Prevent it with measured feeding, regular deworming and vaccines, and a clean, disinfected home.
What to Keep in Mind When Using Topical Flea and Tick Treatment on Cats
Cats can pick up external parasites at any time of year, so regular preventive treatment matters. Topical products come as sprays or spot-on drops, and their coverage depends on the active ingredient, so the right choice depends on your cat's lifestyle and the parasites it faces. Apply spots along the spine, dose by weight, avoid bathing for a few days, and use an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking. Kittens can start around two months old with monthly treatment; adults need it every one to three months, more often in warm seasons or for outdoor cats. Never use dog-only products containing permethrin on cats.
Can Cats Eat Seafood?
Cats can eat seafood, but only the right kinds and in strictly controlled amounts—otherwise you risk digestive upset or even poisoning. Not every seafood is safe: squid, octopus, shellfish, and sea crabs are best avoided. When feeding shrimp, remove the head, tail, shell, and vein first. Freshwater fish like salmon and cod are good choices, rich in quality protein and amino acids. Some cats are allergic to seafood, and heavy metals such as selenium and mercury in certain types can harm the nerves and liver, while shellfish may carry parasites or cause choking and blockage. Always watch the portion size, because a cat's digestion is delicate and any food in excess can backfire.