If you have a new kitten, you might be wondering how to keep them healthy and happy. One of the most important things you can do is to prevent them from getting parasites, such as fleas, ticks and intestinal worms.
These nasty critters can cause a lot of problems for your furry friend, from itching and irritation to serious diseases and even death. Some cat parasites can also infect you and your family, so it’s important to take proactive steps to keep your kitten parasitefree.
Protecting your kitten from parasites is easy thanks to the parasite prevention products we have available today.
Fleas
Fleas are small, wingless insects that live on the skin and fur of animals. They feed on blood and can jump from one host to another. Fleas can make your kitten very uncomfortable as they cause skin to become itchy, resulting in scratching, allergic skin reactions, skin infections and anaemia. They can also transmit tapeworms and other diseases to your kitten.
How to protect your kitten from fleas
The best way to prevent fleas is to use a flea-prevention medication all year round. There are different types of flea treatments available, such as tablets, topical liquids (known as ‘spot ons’), sprays and collars. Consult your veterinarian or local Petbarn team member to find out which one is suitable for your kitten, as some products are not safe for young or small cats.
Ticks
Ticks are tiny arachnids that attach themselves to the skin of animals and humans. They suck blood and some species of tick can be carriers of diseases. The most dangerous tick in Australia, the paralysis tick, injects a deadly neurotoxin into an animal’s bloodstream which can lead to weakness, paralysis and death.
How to protect your kitten from ticks
The best way to prevent ticks is to use a tick-prevention medication all year. This can be a topical liquid spot on, sprays, and collars. These preventative products do not replace regular tick checks. You should perform a tick search on your kitten daily, paying close attention around their ears, neck and legs. If you find a tick, you should remove it carefully with tweezers or a tick remover tool before immediately seeking veterinary advice.
To reduce the risk of ticks further, keep your kitten indoors. Avoid letting them out in areas where ticks are common, such as wooded or grassy areas.
Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms are internal parasites that live in the intestines. They can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, anaemia and other complications. There are different types of worms that can affect your kitten, such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworm. Some of these worms can also infect humans, especially children.
How to protect your kitten from intestinal worms
The best way to prevent worms is to use a worm-prevention medication regularly. This can be a tablet or a topical liquid that you give to your kitten. Other preventative measures include keeping your kitten’s environment clean, by frequently disposing of their faeces and litter and regularly washing their bedding and toys.
Heartworm
Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitos inject the worm larvae into the bloodstream of the host. The adult heartworm lives in the heart and blood vessels. In severe cases, heartworm can cause heart failure and lung damage. Often symptoms of infection are not apparent until the infection is advanced, so prevention is the best option.
Heartworm infestation is not as common in cats compared to dogs, but it can still happen and it can be fatal.
How to protect your kitten from heartworm
The best way to prevent heartworm is to use a heartworm-prevention medication year-round. This can be a tablet or a topical liquid spot-on.
What’s the best parasite prevention product for kittens?
What’s considered the “best” product is different for everyone. It depends a lot on you and your kitten’s individual circumstances and preferences. You’ll need to consider what parasites are present in your area, preferred frequency and method of application, and the age and weight of your kitten.
If you need help deciding which is best for your kitten, ask your local Greencross Vets or use our Cat Flea, Tick and Worm Treatment Finder for personalised recommendations.
You can also visit your local Petbarn store to browse our range of parasite prevention products and get expert tips from our friendly staff.
Parasites are a common and serious threat to your kitten’s health and happiness. But you can easily prevent them by using the right medications and taking some simple precautions. By doing so, you can ensure your kitten stays parasite-free and enjoys a long and happy life with you.