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Why Indoor Cats Can Still Get Parasites
Many owners assume an indoor cat cannot catch parasites, but that is not true. Parasite eggs can ride home on your shoes and clothes, and mosquitoes, cockroaches, raw meat, or household plants can all introduce infection. Some parasites are zoonotic and can spread from cat to owner, so regular deworming matters regardless of lifestyle. Internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and heartworms, and external ones like fleas, lice, ticks, and mites are most common in spring and summer; nematodes and toxoplasma can also pass to people. Deworming is straightforward: oral medication every three months, or more often for raw-fed cats, plus topical drops applied to the skin at the back of the neck. Always follow the dose by weight, since these drugs are toxic in excess.
Key Things to Know About Dog Deworming
Parasites split into external (fleas, lice, ticks, mites) and internal (coccidia, tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm, giardia). Suspect worms if: scratching and scooting rise; black specks on the coat; a non-pregnant dog with a swollen belly but thin frame and bigger appetite (heavy load); cough, fast breathing, low energy, or sleepiness without other illness; or worms in the stool (bring a sample to the vet). Start around 1 month old (mothers pass parasites on). Frequency: puppies internal every 3 months, external monthly; adults every 6 months. Dose by weight/age per label or vet; give 3 hours after meals (mild gut irritation). Vaccines aren't dewormers—wait 7 days post-vaccine. No single drug kills all types, so target the parasite with your vet; keep the environment clean.
What to Do When Your Cat Has a Sensitive Stomach
Vomiting has clear causes: regurgitated kibble means eating too fast or too much (slow it with set meals; soften for kittens); hairballs need daily brushing and cat grass; bile from an empty stomach needs small frequent meals; blood means inflammation or a sharp object—go to the vet. For soft stool, withhold food and water a day and give probiotics. Underlying causes include skipped deworming (internal every 3 months, external monthly) and bad habits: too many salty snacks, abrupt food changes (transition over 7 days), and mixing new food into old.
How to Deworm Your Cat
Both indoor and outdoor cats can catch parasites—external ones (fleas, lice, ticks, mites) and internal ones (hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, heartworm, toxoplasma). Dewormers split into internal (by weight, oral) and external (by weight, topical, never let the cat lick). Indoor cats with no outings need only every 3–4 months; rotating products reduces resistance. Human dewormers with the same active ingredient (e.g., albendazole) can work and are cheaper, dosed by content—but check with a vet first.
How to Tell If Your Cat Has Parasites
Kittens often get parasites from mother's milk; adults pick up eggs or infected prey. Knowing the warning signs lets you act early. External parasites are visible: itching, hair loss, lice clinging to skin, white flea eggs, and black specks (flea dirt) that turn red in water—which also hints at tapeworm, since fleas host it. Internal parasites show as dull coat, pale gums (anemia), tarry stool, vomiting, appetite loss, swollen belly, lethargy, or visible worms/segments in stool. See an online vet or clinic for a test.
Characteristics of a Puppy’s Weaning Period
The weaning period is a major transition for puppies. As the mother's milk declines, the pups' fast growth pushes their nutritional needs up, and their digestion begins adapting to soft foods like thin meat porridge. This stage is also stressful and disease-prone — maternal antibodies hit a low around 40 days, so a careful plan matters: start supplemental feeding at 25–28 days, keep the original cage while moving the mother away, follow a fixed feeding schedule to avoid hypoglycemia, and stick to the deworming and vaccination timeline (e.g., Nobivac 2-way at 35 days, 4-way at 50 and 70 days).
What to Prepare When You Bring a Cat Home
Bringing a cat home means stocking up on a few essentials first. You'll need a litter box (open or semi-enclosed) with tofu litter and a scoop, plus ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls and at least two water stations. For food, a quality dry kibble, occasional boiled chicken or beef, and a weekly wet-food meal cover the basics, with treats kept to a minimum. Scratching posts and teaser toys keep your cat active and protect your furniture, while nail clippers, cat-safe shampoo, a carrier, and a pet disinfectant handle grooming and outings. Finally, hairball remedies and a regular parasite-control plan keep your new companion healthy.
What Is Feline Haemobartonellosis?
Feline haemobartonellosis, also called infectious anemia, is a rare but serious disease caused by a blood parasite that attacks red cells and triggers their destruction. It spreads through bites, scratches, fleas and ticks, and from mother to kitten, with outdoor and unneutered males at higher risk. Signs range from fever and lethargy to pale, yellow-tinged gums; diagnosis is by blood smear or PCR. Treatment uses antibiotics such as doxycycline or enrofloxacin plus supportive care, though the cat stays a lifelong carrier.
Keeping Your Dog Free of Skin Problems in Summer
Summer's heat and humidity breed bacteria and parasites, so skin trouble spikes. Bathe and dry the coat with a pet shampoo, avoid strong midday sun to prevent burns, and keep the living space clean and dry. Use a monthly topical preventive with selamectin or fipronil to block fleas, lice, mites and ticks, and feed vitamins and protein to lift immunity. See a vet for itching, hair loss or rashes.
Why Does My Cat Still Itch After Deworming?
A cat that keeps scratching after a dewormer isn't necessarily proof the product failed. Dewormers kill parasites but not skin problems, and the wrong product, wrong application, or an untreated home can all leave itching in place. Flea-allergy dermatitis, mites, dry skin, and stress can itch too. Mild scratching for a day or two may just need patience; anything longer with skin damage needs a vet.