Common Parasites of Cats
Parasite | Transmission | Effect on Health |
|---|---|---|
Roundworms & hookworms | Eating parasite eggs in droppings or swallowing in mother’s milk | Damage to the digestive tract and nutrient loss |
Tapeworms | Eating infected fleas or prey animals | Nutrient loss |
Flukes or lungworms | Eating infected aquatic hosts (like snails) | Damage to lungs, liver, or intestines |
Intestinal protozoa | Eating parasite eggs in droppings or infected prey | Damage to the digestive tract; can affect pregnant women |
Heartworms | Being bitten by infected mosquitoes | Damage to lungs and heart |
Fleas, ticks & mites | Direct contact with infected animals | Skin damage, itching, and potential infections |
Cuterebra (a type of bot fly) | Contact with fly larvae near rodent or rabbit holes | Swelling under the skin, possible infections |