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symptoms of parasitic infections in cats
Know the signs of fleas, ticks, worms, heartworm, ear mites, skin mites, and single-celled stomach bugs — and what to do to help your cat.
Is your cat constantly scratching? Are you seeing worms in your kitten’s poop? These are just a few symptoms of external parasites or intestinal worms that need quick veterinary care to help avoid severe disease.
Select symptoms of parasites in cats
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Worms in vomit or stool
- Weight loss and/or distended belly
- General ill health
- Change in coat
- Recurring cough
- Itching and scratching
- Visible ticks or fleas
- Shaking head and pawing at ear
- Bald patches
How to help treat and prevent parasites in cats and dogs
- See your veterinary team ASAP
- Avoid home “remedies”
- Effective year-round parasite prevention
- Good home hygiene and care
Symptoms of external parasites, ear mites, intestinal worms, and more in cats
Parasites can make your cat very sick. From general concerns to specific symptoms like weight loss and loss of appetite, your veterinary team is here to help.
Types of worms in cats: Do you see worm eggs or diarrhea in the litter box?
Worm eggs may be visible on your cat or in their litter. However, even if you don't see them, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
Parasitic worms like tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms are intestinal parasites that suck blood from your cat’s digestive system. Even a small worm infestation can be dangerous for a cat, especially vulnerable kittens and weaker adults.
Be warned that accidentally ingesting worm eggs can spread many of these parasites to people and pets. Always wash your hands carefully after touching pets and pet waste! See more about worms
Signs of heartworm in cats: Does your cat have a recurring cough with vomiting and weight loss?
Heartworm, another kind of parasitic worm, infests your cat’s heart instead of their gut. It’s not as common in cats as it is in dogs, and it doesn’t cause significant disease in people.
Cats don’t always show dramatic symptoms with heartworm, but keep an eye out for coughing, trouble breathing, general lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Even a small infestation can interfere with normal cardiovascular function. See more about heartworm
Symptoms of cat stomach bugs: Does your cat have Cystoisospora felis? How can you tell if a cat has Toxoplasma gondii?
Single-celled gastrointestinal parasites include Giardia, Toxoplamsa gondii, and variations of coccidia like Cystoisospora felis. These tiny organisms all affect the intestinal tract to cause watery or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, increased (or decreased) water intake, and general ill health in your cat.
Any disease that causes vomiting and diarrhea can lead to life-threatening dehydration in cats. Please seek immediate veterinary care — an untreated single-celled parasite infection isn’t just dangerous for your cat; it can also spread to other pets and people. See more about single-celled parasites
Signs of fleas or ticks: Is your cat unusually itchy? Did you find a lump under your cat’s fur?
External parasites like fleas and ticks don’t live inside your pet (like worms) but grab meals from their skin instead. The two most common are fleas and ticks, which can make your cat extremely itchy — and spread to bite people and other pets.
Your veterinary team can suggest a number of different solutions to prevent and treat fleas and ticks. We can also talk to you about managing the risks from parasite-carried infection.
Signs of ear mites: Is your cat shaking their head? Do you see black or brown “coffee grounds” in their ears?
Ear mites, tiny spider-like parasites, often infest cat ear canals. Cats with ear mites often shake or paw at their head or ears or have telltale crusty or greasy ear debris.
It’s very important to see the vet before self-diagnosing your cat’s ear problem. Cat ear mites and cat ear infections share a lot of the same symptoms, and it’s easy to make matters worse or even just delay effective treatment with a home remedy or internet “cure.” See more about ear mites
Clinical signs of skin parasites: Does your cat have sores, rashy patches, or bald spots?
Fleas and ticks aren’t the only external parasites that dine on cats. Skin mite overgrowths, certain kinds of fungus, and even maggots can all show signs on your cat’s skin and coat. Please see your vet if you spot any kind of skin unhappiness on the cat you love. See more about skin parasites
An Optimum Wellness Plan is a smart way to prevent pests
Our Optimum Wellness Plans® are affordable yearlong packages of essential preventive care. They're designed for different needs, ages, and lifestyles, and include options to easily add parasite control for fleas, ticks, and more.
Talk to your Banfield vet to find out which package is best for your pet.
Mentioned in this article
All about fleas and cats
Flea control, prevention, and treatment.
Ticks are trouble for cats
Learn about control, prevention, and treatment.
Does your cat have worms?
Kittens and adult cats are at risk.
Does your cat have ear mites?
What to know about ear mites in cats and kittens.
Why is my pet so itchy?
Scratching can mean fleas, allergies, or infections.
Worried about your pet? Ping Pet Chat™!
Whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., connect with a real veterinary professional for immediate petcare advice. It's included in all Optimum Wellness Plans®!
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Our mission is to provide high-quality prescription meds for the pet you love. We believe in safe, effective petcare, so we thoroughly assess every item we carry. We offer discounts on eligible products with your pet’s Optimum Wellness Plan. And you can easily schedule deliveries with our super convenient AutoShip program.
Banfield can help prevent and treat parasites in pets
Regular wellness exams that include a full physical and fecal exam can help keep your furball happy and healthy. Kittens and puppies should start regular appointments when they’re about 6 weeks old, and then come in twice a year once they’re 5 months old. At your visits, we’ll check your little love from nose to tail, discuss age, needs, and lifestyle, and recommend trusted prevention medication to help fight off nasty critters that might feed on your pet.
Even if your pet is on a regular preventive for fleas, ticks, worms, mange, and other bugs, please make an appointment as soon as possible if you spot potential symptoms. Sooner is always better in helping to prevent a big infestation for your furry friend.
