Two Ways to Protect Your Cat from Parasites

Parasites can pass from cats to people, so take them seriously. Spot them by symptoms like poor coat, pale gums, lethargy, and visible worms in stool or around the anus, and by checking bedding. Prevent by keeping cats indoors, cleaning the home against fleas and ticks, feeding balanced food, and applying topical dewormer every three months, dropped on the skin not the fur.

Everyday Flea Prevention and Care for Cat Households

Spring and summer are peak parasite season, and fleas are a common nuisance for cat owners. A cat that scratches constantly may have fleas, mites, allergies, or ringworm — confirm with a Wood's lamp, hair exam, or the classic 'damp tissue test' where flea dirt turns red. These tiny jumpers can produce 250,000 offspring a month, so prevention matters: vacuum cracks and gaps, comb with a flea comb twice weekly, hot-wash bedding, and keep the home dry (fleas like 18–27°C, ~75% humidity). If infected, use monthly topical prevention, treat inflamed skin, and watch for tapeworms passed via fleas.