How to Get Rid of Bugs on Cats

Getting rid of cat bugs is a topic we’ll be covering here.

If your cat is suffering from any pest problem, the tips provided here should help you provide much-needed relief to your pet.

Without further delay, let’s commence our discussion.

Ways to Get Rid of Bugs on Cats

Cat owners always want to best for their pets. Like most pets, your cat is vulnerable to many internal and external parasites.

You’ll need to be attentive to your cat to detect abnormal behavior or signs of discomfort. Plus, frequent checks or inspections are necessary to identify any pest issues.

Common Cat Bugs

As a cat owner, you may be interested in knowing what bugs commonly affect your pet. While there are internal and external parasitic bugs, most of our discussion will dwell on the latter.

Bug types include fleas, ticks, Cuterebra, and mites.

For some of these pests, there are multiple species. For example, mite species that affect cats include scabies, ear mites, Demodex, and walking dandruff.

Tick variants include deer tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick. These all cause a great deal of discomfort to cats.

Bug Control on Cats

When cats are found to have a bug problem, it’s necessary to act fast to eliminate the problem. The action taken depends on the bug type.

With that said, we’ll need to look at ways to get rid of ticks on cats and eliminate mites, lice, fleas, and bed bugs in rare cases.

i. Seek Competent Help

To avoid making mistakes, consider consulting a veterinarian for comprehensive assessment and treatment of the bug problem.

These professionals are trained and experienced in providing treatments for pets and other animals.

The treatment strategy used depends on the type of bug involved. This option tends to be more effective due to its comprehensive nature.

Periodic checks are also necessary to ensure no bugs remain or return after treatment. Plus, preventive advice may be given by the professional.

ii. Getting Rid of Ticks on Cats

When it comes to tick removal on cats, there are lots of options to consider.

These include using vinegar, olive oil, almond oil, tweezers, and other natural remedies. As a natural repellent, vinegar can be used to fix all tick-related problems on your pet.

The acetic acid content in vinegar makes it highly detested by parasitic bugs like ticks.

So, to rid your cat of ticks, you can have a mixture made of vinegar & water or one containing equal parts cat shampoo and vinegar.

Have a clean cloth moistened with these solutions and massaged into your pet’s fur.

It’s important when performing this treatment to avoid touching your cat’s eyes with it. You may also need to apply it to a small patch or area to see if there’s any adverse reaction before using it on all body parts.

iii. Getting Rid of Mites on Cats

Under normal circumstances, cats, like humans, have a certain amount of mites on their skin.

However, it becomes a problem when these mites increase exponentially. This is often due to conditions like weak immune systems and undernourishment.

Cats will typically develop itchy skin. Here, you’ll notice your cat being restless, which can sometimes lead to the infliction of wounds due to scratching.

You’ll need to give your cats multiple baths to get rid of skin mites. Here, lime-sulfur rinse serves the purpose of eliminating these mites.

Speaking of multiple baths, the frequency of such treatment should be at least once weekly. This should be done until there’s a clear improvement.

Consider using mild soap with trepid water for ear mites to clean and flush out your cat’s ears. Consult a veterinarian for guidance on what to do.

iv. Getting Rid of Lice on Cats

Lice issues aren’t restricted to humans. Pets like cats may also face such problems.

Like many bugs, lice cause intense discomfort through itchiness, thus resulting in conditions like anemia, hair loss, and dry coat.

To combat this pest problem, you’ll need to purchase and apply topical insecticides like fipronil, selamectin, and imidacloprid. These need to be used as instructed by the manufacturer.

They provide much-needed relief.

What more? Lime sulfur dips can prove very effective in dealing with lice on cats. Both lice and their nymphs are killed. Before using this technique, consult your veterinarian.

v. Getting Rid of Fleas on Cats

Fleas are also among the bug issues cats have. These hopping bugs only climb to draw some blood, after which they drop off until the next feeding session.

Many products and procedures to combat flea infestations, including commercial and DIY treatment techniques.

Some great remedies that eliminate fleas on cats include lavender & chamomile, cedar chips, dish soap, lemons, apple cider vinegar, and spices.

Each of these needs to be prepared and applied n a certain way. By conducting a simple search on any of these, you’ll find tons of results to follow.

vi. Getting Rid of Bed Bugs on Cats

If you’re currently dealing with a bed bug problem, chances are that your pets will be affected as well.

Although bed bugs are known to target humans primarily, they won’t hesitate to draw blood from your cats. So, when treating your home for bed bugs, your cat(s) should be included.

First, observe your cats for common symptoms. These include constant scratches, excessive grooming, and pink welts appearing in clusters or lines.

When these are observed, it’s high time to carry out treatments. Cat bedding should be thoroughly cleaned of bugs and eggs.

Bathe your cat and use bed bug lures to draw them out of hiding. Here, treatment must be performed in collaboration with a pest exterminator.

Some expert advice should also be sought from your veterinarian. All of these strategies combined serve to impact your results positively.

Having discussed basic ways to rid your cats of bugs, the implementation process largely depends on what your findings are and what treatment approach you decide on.

As always, it’s best to work with a veterinarian to exterminate all bugs on cats comprehensively.