Introduction
Cats make wonderful pets, but they can also carry parasites that may be concerning. Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host and get their food from or at the expense of the host. While we love to cuddle and play with our feline friends, cat parasites have the potential to infect humans, especially young children and those with weakened immune systems.
In this article, we’ll cover the different types of parasites cats can carry, with a focus on those present on their paws. You’ll learn about the dangers these parasites pose, why paws are prone to them, and what signs to look for. We’ll also provide tips on reducing parasites on paws, as well as diagnosing, treating, and preventing them. By the end, cat owners will have a better understanding of parasitic risks and how to keep their families safe.
Types of Parasites Cats Can Carry
There are several kinds of parasites that commonly infest cats. Some of the most prevalent include:
Fleas
Fleas are tiny wingless insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. They are the most common external parasite found on cats (Source). Fleas can not only cause skin irritation and anemia in cats due to blood loss from bites, but they can also transmit other parasites and diseases. Flea infestations should be dealt with quickly by using veterinarian-recommended flea treatment products.
Ticks
Ticks are arachnids that feed on blood. They attach themselves to the skin of their hosts, including cats. Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases to cats such as cytauxzoonosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Hepatozoonosis. Checking your cat’s coat regularly for ticks and using veterinarian-recommended tick preventives are important for protecting cats from diseases spread by ticks (Source).
Mites
There are several types of mites that can affect cats, including ear mites, walking dandruff mites, and mange mites. Ear mites are a common parasite in kittens and cats that cause intense itching in the ears. Mange mites cause skin irritation, lesions, and hair loss. Regular grooming and veterinarian care can help diagnose and treat mite infestations in cats.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that cats can pick up from ingesting fleas or small infected rodents. Tapeworm segments may be visible around a cat’s hindquarters or in their feces. Tapeworms can cause digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies. Cats with tapeworms should be treated with deworming medication prescribed by a veterinarian.
Roundworms
Roundworms are another common intestinal parasite in cats. Kittens can pick them up from their mother’s milk. Roundworms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and malnutrition. Regular deworming of kittens and cats along with good hygiene can help control roundworm infestations.
Dangers of Feline Parasites
Certain parasites carried by cats can be dangerous as they can be transmitted to humans and cause illness. According to the CDC, there are three main parasites that cats carry that pose a risk to human health: Toxoplasma gondii, hookworms, and Dipylidium caninum.
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitic infections and can lead to toxoplasmosis in humans. Pregnant women are at highest risk, as infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns. T. gondii infection is spread through ingesting undercooked meat or contaminated food or water. Cats can shed T. gondii in their feces, so litter boxes should be cleaned daily.
Hookworms attach to the small intestine and feed on blood, causing anemia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Larvae can penetrate bare skin and cause skin irritation. D. caninum tapeworms can cause gastrointestinal issues if humans ingest infected fleas.
In cats, common parasitic infections like Giardia, Coccidia, and roundworms can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and anemia. Tapeworms cause irritation around the anus. While not fatal, parasites can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying for cats.
Parasites Likely to Be Found on Paws
The most common parasites that are likely to be found on a cat’s paws are:
Fleas: Fleas are tiny, jumping insects that feed on the blood of cats. They can cause itchiness, irritation, and flea allergy dermatitis. Fleas multiply rapidly and can spread between pets. They can ride on a cat’s paws and get tracked into the home. According to veterinary experts at VCA Animal Hospitals, flea infestations are one of the most common skin conditions in cats [1]. Regular flea prevention is essential.
Ticks: Ticks are parasitic arachnids that bite cats to consume their blood. They attach themselves firmly to the skin and feed until they become engorged, then drop off. Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis. They may crawl onto paws when a cat brushes by vegetation. Checking paws after going outside can help remove ticks before they bite.
Mites: Microscopic mites like ear mites or scabies mites can crawl onto paws and cause infections. Ear mites spread from the ears to paws when a cat scratches, causing crusty skin. Scabies mites burrow into the skin and cause severe itching and hair loss. Mite infestations are highly contagious between cats. Keeping paws clean can help reduce transmission.
Microscopic parasites: Intestinal parasites like roundworms, tapeworms, or protozoa can spread microscopic eggs onto paws through feces. These eggs can be ingested by other pets. Roundworm eggs are particularly hardy and can survive in the environment for long periods. Regular deworming and paw hygiene is important.
Why Paws Are Prone to Parasites
Cats’ paws are prone to picking up parasites for a couple key reasons:
First, cats walk on potentially contaminated ground all the time. Their paws come into direct contact with soil, grass, concrete, carpets, litter boxes, and more. All of these surfaces may contain parasitic eggs, larvae or cysts shed in the feces of infected animals. Common parasite culprits include roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and protozoa.
Second, cats are fastidious groomers and regularly lick and nibble their paws to clean them. When grooming parasite-contaminated paws, they can inadvertently ingest parasite eggs or larvae. These may then mature and multiply inside the cat’s intestinal tract. Tapeworms, in particular, are easily transmitted when cats ingest fleas carrying tapeworm larvae while grooming.
For these reasons, cats’ paws provide an easy point of entry for parasitic infections. Kitties exploring the outdoors are especially prone due to increased environmental exposure. But even indoor cats can pick up parasites on their paws from litter boxes, carpets or grooming. Keeping paws parasite-free requires vigilance.
Reducing Parasites on Paws
There are a few key ways pet owners can help reduce the amount of parasites their cat picks up on their paws:
Regular flea and tick prevention medication is crucial. Products like Frontline, Revolution, and Bravecto help kill and repel fleas, ticks, and other parasites before they can infest your cat. These medications are typically applied monthly. Be sure to use them year-round, not just during warmer seasons when parasites are more active. Consistent prevention helps break the parasite life cycle. Discuss options with your vet to find the right product for your cat.
Thoroughly cleaning your cat’s paws after they have been outside can help remove dirt, debris, eggs, and parasite larvae before they can take hold and develop on your cat. Gently wipe between the toes and pads with a warm damp cloth or cat wipe.
Keeping your cat indoors reduces their exposure to parasites from other animals, contaminated soil, and the environment at large. While it’s difficult to prevent outdoor cats from encountering parasites, keeping your cat inside provides the most surefire way to limit opportunities for infestation.
Combining diligent prevention, paw hygiene, and access limitations can significantly reduce the parasite load on your cat’s paws and body. Work closely with your vet to design the right parasite control plan for your cat’s lifestyle and needs.
Signs of Parasites on Paws
There are a few common signs that may indicate your cat has parasites on its paws:
Redness and irritation around the paws is one symptom. Parasites like fleas and mites will bite and feed on your cat’s skin, causing inflammation and itchiness. You may notice your cat frequently licking or chewing at their paws if they are irritated.
Visible fleas or ticks on the paws is an obvious sign of infestation. Fleas are tiny, dark colored insects that can be hard to spot. You may see what looks like dirt or debris on the paws, but on closer inspection are actually fleas. Ticks are easier to identify as they are larger and attach themselves to feed. Check between the toes and toenail beds where parasites like to hide.
Excessive licking or biting of the paws is behavior that can signify the presence of parasites. Cats innately groom themselves, but focused licking of one area like the paws signals something is irritating them. The parasites cause itching, so your cat tries to alleviate it by licking. Their saliva contains substances meant to soothe skin irritation. If you notice your cat spends an excessive amount of time licking its paws, parasites may be the reason.
Diagnosing Parasites on Paws
Since parasites on cats’ paws are usually microscopic, diagnosis requires a veterinary exam and laboratory testing.
During the exam, the veterinarian will inspect the cat’s paws closely for any visible signs of infection or infestation. They may take a sample by lightly scraping or swabbing the paws and looking at it under the microscope for the presence of parasites (Citation 1).
Common parasitic paw infections like mange or ringworm may be identified by skin lesions or abnormal appearance of the paws. For internal parasites, the vet will likely order a fecal test to check for parasite eggs shed in the stool (Citation 2). A blood test can also detect antibodies against certain parasites.
To get a definitive diagnosis, the veterinarian may recommend bringing in a fresh stool sample for laboratory analysis. The lab can examine the sample under the microscope or utilize advanced techniques like fecal flotation, sedimentation, ELISA assays, or PCR to detect parasitic organisms (Citation 3).
Treating Parasites on Paws
There are several treatment options available for eliminating parasites on a cat’s paws, including:
Flea/tick/mite medication: Spot-on or oral treatments like fipronil, imidacloprid, or selamectin can kill external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites that infest paws. These are very effective when applied monthly.
Antiparasitic creams: Creams containing ingredients like pyrethrins can be applied topically to paws when infested with mites or fungal infections. This provides localized treatment.
Oral deworming medication: If paw parasites are due to an intestinal worm infection, broad-spectrum dewormers containing pyrantel, fenbendazole, or praziquantel may be prescribed. These treat internal parasites.
Treatment should be tailored to the specific parasite based on diagnostic testing. In severe cases, a vet may recommend a multifaceted approach combining topical and oral medication for complete elimination. Keeping the cat’s environment clean is also key to preventing re-infestation.
Conclusion
To recap, cats can carry various parasites on their paws, including worms, mites, fleas, and ringworm fungi. These parasites pose health risks if transmitted to humans, especially children or immunocompromised individuals. While paws are prone to picking up parasites from contaminated environments, there are precautions owners can take, like regularly cleaning paws and avoiding exposure to many rodents or stray cats. Signs of parasites on paws may include irritation, redness, and itching. Diagnosis typically involves a vet visually inspecting the paws or performing lab tests on fur or skin samples. Treatment usually consists of medicated baths, topical ointments, oral medication, or lime sulfur dips for ringworm. The key is being vigilant about checking a cat’s paws and quickly addressing any potential parasites before they spread and lead to a larger infestation.
Preventing parasites proactively through measures like routine hygiene and proper nutrition is essential for cat health. But when parasites do occur, prompt diagnosis and treatment minimizes the risks and discomfort. Understanding the parasites cats may carry and how to spot the signs allows owners to take action right away. While parasites on paws are common in cats, awareness and care by pet owners goes a long way in protecting both the pet and human family members.