Did you know that antiparasitics for cats can have both a preventive and a curative purpose? And, did you know that even if summer is the favorite period for fleas and ticks, our cats can be attacked by these parasites in every season?
Your cat health is important, and antiparasitics for cats are a real effective tool to keep them feeling always good.
Let’s find out what are the main diseases that can affect cats and the possible remedies among the antiparasitics to make him feel good. Remember that it is advisable to always rely on a vet to choose the best treatment.
Parasitic diseases that can affect cats
Spring has arrived, and after a winter season spent snoring on the comfortable sofa, our cats, just like us, perceive the good weather and desire to stay outdoors enjoying the open air. Precisely for this reason, the risk of incurring ticks and fleas is definitely higher.
Excessive itchiness is a symptom to be monitored.
These parasites generally cause only discomfort to the animal. However, it can happen that our kittens develop diseases that require specific treatments. Which are these diseases? Let’s find out together.
Flea-borne disease
Bartonellosis is a bacteria transmitted by fleas. It can cause colds in cats and other symptoms such as mild fever, vomiting, lethargy and decrease of appetite. The cat may not even show symptoms, so he could be an asymptomatic carrier of the bacteria and he can transmit it to other felines (for example through bites and scratches) and even to humans.
Tick-borne disease
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease caused by several species of intracellular bacteria whose origin is generally caused by the bite of ticks. Feline ehrlichiosis is associated with clinical symptoms such as intermittent fever, weight loss, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and clinical pathological alterations including anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and hyperglobulinemia.
Sandflies-borne disease
Leishmaniasis is a disease that comes from sandflies. It affects dogs much more, but several cases have also been recorded in cats. Skin lesions are the most common clinical symptom, they’re characterized by small ulcers and crusts on the nose, lips and auricles. If the disease has already been contracted, immediate consultation with the veterinarian is advisable for the various available therapies. In any case, since 2021 it is possible to consider a preventive approach through an annual vaccine treatment against Leishmaniasis.
Mosquito-borne disease
That’s right, even mosquitoes can transmit diseases to our beloved cats, such as Filariasis. Actually cats are less subject to this type of infection than dogs, but it is however true that the recorded cases are higher than the average in certain areas of Italy such as Lombardy, Piedmont, southern Veneto, eastern Liguria, central-northern Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Generally, cats who carry the disease have a first asymptomatic incubation phase which lasts up to 8-9 months, before showing real symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, vomiting and weight loss.
At first glance, these inconveniences may seem worrying, and they actually could become worrying when the necessary treatments are delayed. Of course, all of these diseases are curable. Therefore, in case you notice your cat behaving differently, we suggest you to contact a vet to make sure he has or not the disease and to eventually proceed in time with the correct treatments.
The best antiparasitics for cats
It’s true, prevention is better than cure!
There are indeed several antiparasitics for cats that keep ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and other dangerous insects away.
Here are the most common available solutions among antiparasitics.
Cat collar
The anti-parasitic collar for cats is a minimally invasive long-lasting solution. It guarantees an effective and prolonged protection up to 6/7 months, it has a repellent and knock down action against parasites. Thus, this antiparasitic is indicated for both prevention and parasite infestation treatment. It can be worn all year long to protect our kitty from the attack of annoying parasites in every season.
Spot-on and pipettes
It consists of vials (called spot-on or pipettes) containing antiparasitic solutions that protect our cat from both external and internal parasites. When choosing vials, pay attention that they are specific for cats. They last around one month and they are simple to apply: just move the hair and pour the antiparasitic product directly on the skin. Pour it in the strategic points where the cat cannot reach to lick himself, such as behind the base of the nape and between the shoulder blades. If your kitty is still young or you simply want to make a gentler choice, you could opt for spot-on composed of natural oils such as Neem, Jojoba and Almond.
Unlike the other methods, this product requires some precautions:
- In case you have several cats, it is advisable to pay attention to the first day of treatment as it’s likely for them to lick each other in the area in which the antiparasitic has been applied. So try to keep them separated temporarily;
- Do not touch the cat after applying the antiparasitic and until the area is completely dry;
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the antiparasitic, avoiding eyes and mouth contact;
- Use the antiparasitic product on healthy animals only. In other cases, natural pipettes are recommended.
By applying the spot-on to specific points on the body, the cat will be protected from parasites for a long time.
Tablets
Antiparasitic tablets for cats are administered orally, in the form of pill, and are to all intents and purposes a medicinal product that requires a medical vet prescription. In this case, active ingredients are absorbed into the blood, are distributed to all organs (muscles, fat, liver, kidneys) and operate by killing fleas and ticks just after their bite.
Adjuvant and strengthening solutions
There are adjuvant solutions to be combined with the main antiparasitic treatment, useful for strengthening the effect and guaranteeing a natural barrier against insects and parasites.
- Dietary Supplements: dietary supplements are a fully natural solution that acts as an antiparasitic and vermifuge aid. Being a supplement, it cannot replace the effect of specific antiparasitic medicinal products, but it can step it up.
- Tea Tree Oil and Neem Oil Spray: for a deeper, repellent and totally natural action, we recommend you the Tea Tree Oil and Neem Oil Spray with deodorant action and barrier effect against flies, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, horseflies. The intense perfume is a natural shield to keep insects and parasites away from our kitty. The Neem and Cajeput Oils spray will be your best ally on spring and summer days: just spray it on your cat’s coat every 2 hours outdoors.
- Shampoo with Tea Tree Oil and Neem Oil: this shampoo by Yuup! was created with the same function of the Spray. The product is suitable for all types of hair and for all breeds of dogs and cats, specific for a repulsive action thanks to the natural ingredients of which it is composed: Cajeput essential oil (White Tea Tree Oil), Neem oil, Thyme and Chamomile extracts, Quaternized Keratin, Creatine, Vitamins C + E + Panthenol. The antiparasitic Tea Tree Oil and Neem Oil shampoo for cats when applied guarantees a specific cleansing action with an unpleasant effect for insects and parasites, while refreshing the skin of our dear kitty.
Taking a relaxing bath will keep parasites away.
We have therefore learnt that prevention is a very important tool to make sure that our cat is always healthy, especially when we are talking about parasites carrying dangerous bacteria.
There are many solutions, and we always recommend choosing high-level antiparasites, to be combined with natural products that respect the skin and health of our cat, protecting him in the best possible way.
