That persistent dry cough you’ve been treating with hairball paste might actually be lungworm—a parasitic infection cats pick up from slugs and snails in the garden. From the invisible life cycle to why diagnosis matters, here’s everything cat owners need to know about this overlooked respiratory threat.
A persistent dry cough that sounds like a hairball attempt but produces nothing can mask a dangerous parasitic infection. One owner spent eight months treating the wrong condition until a stool sample revealed the truth: lungworm picked up from an unsuspecting garden snack.
What appears to be innocent dry skin on your cat might actually be thousands of microscopic mites called Cheyletiella, visible to the naked eye under bright light. This highly contagious parasite, nicknamed ‘walking dandruff’ by veterinarians, can spread to other pets and even cause itchy rashes on humans. Here’s everything you need to know about detection, treatment, and prevention.
You’ve been treating your cat monthly, but vets have a uncomfortable truth: only 5% of fleas actually live on your pet. The other 95%—eggs, larvae, and pupae—are hiding in your carpets and furniture, waiting to strike. A single pipette can’t win this war alone.
You’ve been treating your cat every month, yet fleas keep returning within weeks. A vet’s revelation changed everything: 95% of the flea population isn’t on your pet at all—it’s thriving in your carpets, furniture, and garden. Understanding the flea life cycle finally explains why spot-on treatments alone will never work.
When your cat scratches frantically in July, flea treatment won’t help if the culprit is actually harvest mites—tiny orange parasites hiding between the toes. A simple 30-second inspection can reveal whether you’re dealing with mites, grass seeds, or something else entirely, saving weeks of ineffective treatment.
Veterinarians across the UK are raising urgent awareness about ticks on cats as an extended peak season stretches from spring through autumn—with peak exposure happening right now in June. Most cat owners never spot the parasites until they’ve fed, and the 24-hour transmission window for disease means every hour counts. Discover what vets want you to know about prevention and proper removal.
As spring arrives and cats venture outdoors again, parasite risk climbs—but the signs are easy to miss. From appetite changes to tail-base scooting, learn the five behavioral red flags that suggest your cat needs deworming, and why one sign catches almost every owner off guard.