Feline Parasite Control – Cat fleas, ticks, lice, mites etc

Parasite control is one of those routine cat-care jobs that turns urgent the moment you spot “flea dirt” on the coat, a tick tucked into the ear, or a cat scratching hard enough to break the skin. Left to settle in, external parasites can trigger painful dermatitis, spread other parasites such as tapeworm, and in some parts of Australia even cause life-threatening tick paralysis.^{1, 2}

What helps most is a calm, methodical approach: work out which parasite you’re dealing with, protect the household (including people), and treat both the cat and the environment—then keep prevention running so the cycle doesn’t quietly rebuild in the background.¹

Common external parasites in cats (and what they look like)

Fleas

Most infestations in cats involve the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Adults are small, brown and fast, but you often find their presence first: pepper-like “flea dirt” (faeces) in the coat, especially over the back and rump. In sensitive cats, even a small number of fleas can set off intense itch and skin inflammation (flea allergy dermatitis).^{1, 3}

Fleas also matter because cats can swallow them while grooming—one pathway for tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) infection.³

Ticks

Ticks are eight-legged arachnids that attach to the skin and feed on blood. In Australia, the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is the one that changes the stakes: it can cause tick paralysis, a veterinary emergency that can be fatal without urgent treatment.⁴

Lice

Cat lice are uncommon, but they do occur—usually in cats that are unwell, very young, or living in crowded conditions. Lice live in the coat, causing itch and a dry, unkempt look to the fur. If you suspect lice, a vet check is worthwhile because other skin problems can look similar, and treatment needs to be cat-safe.¹

Mites

Mites are tiny and easy to miss, but the irritation they cause is not. A common example is ear mites, which often show up as dark debris in the ear canal with head shaking and ear scratching. Diagnosis is usually quick with an otoscope and a microscopic check of ear material, and treatment is very effective when done correctly.⁵

Why parasite control matters for cats (and for people)

For cats, external parasites can drive relentless itch, skin damage, secondary infection, and in heavy flea burdens, anaemia—especially in kittens or small cats.³

For people, the main risks are indirect but real: fleas can carry pathogens, and some parasites associated with cats and dogs can spread through contaminated soil or faeces if hygiene slips. Roundworm infection (toxocariasis) is one example—people can be exposed by accidentally ingesting soil contaminated with dog or cat faeces, which is why handwashing and prompt faeces disposal matter, particularly for children playing outdoors.^{6, 7}

Toxoplasmosis is another reason households take litter hygiene seriously, and why daily litter tray cleaning is often recommended.⁸

Quick checks: when to suspect fleas, ticks, lice, or mites

• Fleas: sudden scratching, overgrooming, small crusty bumps along the back (“miliary dermatitis”), flea dirt on a comb, or tapeworm segments around the anus.^{1, 2}
• Tick: a firm bump attached to the skin (often head/neck), irritation at one spot, or—more worrying—wobbliness, weakness, altered meow, coughing/retching, drooling, or breathing changes (possible tick paralysis).⁴
• Ear mites: head shaking, ear scratching, dark waxy debris, ear sensitivity.⁵
• Lice: persistent itch with a dull, scruffy coat; tiny insects or eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts may be visible on close inspection.¹

Prevention that actually holds

Good parasite control is less about one heroic treatment and more about consistency. Fleas, in particular, are not just “on the cat”; a large part of the population is in the environment as eggs, larvae and pupae, which is why control can take weeks and why it’s common to keep seeing the odd flea early on.¹

Practical habits that reduce parasite pressure

• Use a vet-recommended parasite prevention product suitable for your cat’s age, weight and lifestyle (indoor-only cats can still be exposed via people, other pets, or visiting animals).¹
• Vacuum regularly—especially sleeping spots, skirting boards, cracks, and under furniture—to physically remove flea eggs and larvae.¹
• Wash bedding (pet bedding, blankets) in hot water when treating fleas.
• Do routine coat checks, and in tick areas, do daily tick searches during risk periods.⁴

Tick prevention in Australia: the non-negotiables

If you live in, travel through, or adopt a cat from tick paralysis regions, prevention and early detection matter more than perfect technique. The RSPCA recommends daily tick searches, avoiding tick habitat where possible, and discussing safe tick control products with your vet (and never using dog tick products on cats). Tick paralysis is a medical emergency—seek veterinary care urgently if you suspect it.⁴

Treatment: what to do when you find a problem

Fleas: treat the cat and the environment

Effective flea control usually involves treating all pets in the household with an appropriate product, then cleaning the environment (vacuuming and washing bedding) while the life cycle winds down. It can take 1–3 months to fully eliminate a household infestation, even with good products, because of the existing immature stages already in the home.¹

If your cat has itch, scabs, hair loss, or skin infection, see a vet—flea allergy dermatitis can look dramatic and may need more than flea control alone.²

Ticks: remove promptly and watch closely

If you find a tick, remove it immediately. Aim to grasp close to the skin and avoid squeezing the tick’s body. After removal, keep your cat calm and contact your vet—signs of tick paralysis can appear after the tick is removed, and early treatment improves the odds.⁴

Mites (including ear mites): confirm and treat properly

Mites are treatable, but they’re easy to misdiagnose at home. Ear mites, for example, are usually confirmed by a vet using an otoscope and microscopic examination of ear debris. Treatment may include ear cleaning and a topical or systemic medication prescribed for cats.⁵

Lice: treat the whole household of pets

If lice are confirmed, treatment usually involves a cat-safe parasiticide and treating in-contact animals to prevent ping-pong reinfestation. Your vet can help choose a product that also covers other parasites that may be present.¹

A note on “natural remedies”

Gentle mechanical control—like combing with a flea comb and thorough vacuuming—can help reduce flea numbers, especially while proper treatment is taking effect.¹

Be cautious with essential oils. Cats are more sensitive than many other species to a range of substances, and home-mixed sprays can cause illness or skin irritation. If you want lower-chemical options, ask your vet about proven products and the safest way to use them for your cat’s age and health status.⁴

When to see a vet urgently

• Any signs consistent with tick paralysis (wobbliness, weakness, altered voice/meow, retching/coughing, breathing changes), or if you find a paralysis tick and you’re unsure it’s been fully removed.⁴
• Kittens with fleas (risk of anaemia) or any cat that seems pale, weak, or lethargic.³
• Skin that is oozing, painful, or infected, or itch that doesn’t improve within a few days of starting appropriate flea control.²
• Persistent ear pain, head tilt, or heavy ear discharge (needs proper diagnosis).⁵

References

1. Merck Veterinary Manual — Flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats
2. Merck Veterinary Manual — Fleas in dogs and cats
3. Merck Veterinary Manual — Fleas in dogs and cats (disease transmission, including tapeworm lifecycle)
4. RSPCA Knowledgebase — How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis?
5. Cornell Feline Health Center — Ear mites: tiny critters that can pose a major threat
6. CDC — How toxocariasis spreads
7. Queensland Government Health — Toxocariasis
8. CDC — Preventing toxoplasmosis