05/03/2025
PARASITE CONTROL
Regular safe and effective control of internal and external parasites according to risks not only protects your pet but also reduces the likelihood of household exposure.
5 key facts you should know about parasites:
• Fleas can infest your cat from a very young age and at any time of the year. A single female flea can
produce up to 50 eggs per day which will fall off your pet into your home. The eggs hatch into tiny maggot like larvae, then develop over the following weeks in the carpets and soft furnishing of your home.
• Flea larvae change to pupae that are resistant to treatment and may lie dormant in the home and garden for many months before emerging as adults. The adults will seek out and feed on your cat‘s blood once emerged, but will also bite dogs and humans too.
• Flea prevention can often be the best strategy. Please note, it is essential to treat all the animals in the household, for a sufficient period of time, to kill all adult and emerging fleas. If using a monthly treatment
you must remember to retreat at the correct intervals. Depending on the effectiveness of the chosen treatment, products to treat the environment may also be needed.
• Always ensure you use flea and tick products specifically indicated for cats – some products for use on dogs are very toxic to cats!
• There are a number of different worms which can infest cats, including roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm.
Although they may not be visible, cats are commonly infected with worms.
HUMAN RISK:
Toxocara cati can affect humans too, if eggs are accidentally ingested. Children are most at risk, as they may play in areas (sandpits, gardens etc.) where worm eggs are commonly found. The parasite can cause a variety of problems, including damage to the liver, lungs or eyes. Regular treatment will help to protect your cat and this will help to protect your family too.
Fleas and ticks can cause serious health problems in cats and are a year-round risk. Do the best for your pet and keep your pet protected by regularly applying parasite treatments, as directed by your vet.
In spring, as the weather warms up, ticks and fleas start to become more active. In summer, the risk from both fleas and ticks is high, just when we are spending more time outdoors with our pets. Flea populations are at their peak in early Autumn, and ticks remain active throughout the milder months. Fleas will happily live indoors in centrally heated homes if protection is not maintained. This is why experts recommend year-round protection against fleas. The protection required against ticks is based on the timing of likely exposure and consequential risk. A long acting product is now available from your local veterinary practitioner which allows seasonal control of fleas and ticks.
