By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
External parasites live on or in the skin and ears. They itch, inflame, transmit other diseases and keep whole households scratching. This A to Z covers the parasites Australian cat owners ask about most. It is a field guide to recognition, not a substitute for a veterinary diagnosis.
Key takeaways
- Fleas are the most common; ticks (especially paralysis ticks) are the most dangerous in many coastal regions.
- Ear mites are frequent in kittens and multi-cat homes.
- Never use dog-only parasite products on cats.
- Related deep-dives: cat parasites, cat fleas, ear mites, mange in cats.
A to Z
Demodex mites
Usually live in small numbers. Overgrowth causes patchy hair loss and scaling, sometimes on the face or ear margins. Diagnosis needs skin sampling by a vet.
Ear mites (Otodectes)
Intense itch, head shaking and dark crumbly debris. Highly contagious among cats and sometimes dogs. See cats scratching ears.
Fleas (Ctenocephalides)
Jumping insects that cause itch, allergy and tapeworm spread. Check for flea dirt on the rump and belly. Life stages hide in carpets. See flea life cycle and what fleas look like.
Fur mites and walking dandruff (Cheyletiella)
White flakes that seem to move, often along the back. Contagious to other pets and occasionally people.
Harvest mites / larval mites
Seasonal itch on feet, face and belly in some regions after outdoor access. Cats that sunbake in grassy courtyards can pick them up even without long bushwalks.
Lice
Uncommon in well-kept pet cats; more often in neglected or overcrowded animals. They are species-specific and crawl rather than jump.
Notoedric mange
A contagious feline mite causing crusty faces and intense itch. Needs prompt veterinary treatment of all in-contact cats.
Ticks
Paralysis ticks can kill. Attachments may be hidden in armpits, eyelids, lips and between toes. Sudden weakness is an emergency. Bush ticks also attach and irritate. Cats often groom ticks off, so you may see weakness without finding the tick.
Signs shared by many parasites
- Scratching, chewing, restless grooming
- Hair loss, scabs, small red bumps
- Head shaking or ear debris
- Visible insects or black flea dirt
- People in the home developing itchy bites around ankles or waist
When it is an emergency
Laboured breathing, collapse, rapidly progressive weakness, or pale gums after possible tick exposure need emergency care. Severe self-trauma with open wounds also needs same-day attention. Kittens with heavy flea burdens can become anaemic quickly.
What you can do while booking a vet
- Comb the coat over white paper to check for flea dirt.
- Search for ticks carefully if you live in or visited a tick area.
- Avoid tea tree oil, kerosene, bleach baths and dog spot-ons.
- Wash bedding on a hot cycle where possible and vacuum living areas for fleas.
- Note whether other pets or people are itchy, which helps your vet.
How vets confirm and treat
Microscopy of ear wax, coat brushings and skin scrapings identifies many mites. Fleas are often a clinical diagnosis. Your vet will prescribe cat-safe parasiticides and advise on treating the home and all pets. Secondary infections may need extra care. Follow-up visits matter for mange and stubborn ear mite cases.
Prevention
Year-round flea prevention, tick prevention in risk areas, prompt checks after outdoor adventures, and quarantine of new cats reduce outbreaks. Keep prevention products prescribed or recommended for cats specifically. Discuss hunting lifestyles, because prey can complicate parasite exposure patterns.
Multi-pet households
If dogs and cats share a home, plan products carefully. Some dog tick preventives are fatal to cats. Treat all pets on a coordinated schedule when fleas are found, and keep treated dogs away from cats until topical products have dried if your vet advises it.
FAQ
Can indoor cats get mites?
Yes. Visitors, other pets and wildlife around the home can introduce them.
Do I need to fog the house for fleas?
Often vacuuming, washing and treating all pets is the base. Your vet or a pest professional may advise environmental products for heavy infestations.
Are lice the same as fleas?
No. Lice crawl and stay on the host; fleas jump and spend time off the host as eggs and larvae.
My cat hates spot-ons. What now?
Ask about oral or other licensed options suited to cats. Do not skip prevention entirely.
Talk with a vet
If your cat is itchy, shaking their head, or you found a tick, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you triage and plan safe next steps. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Ectoparasites of Cats.
- RSPCA Australia. Flea and tick prevention for cats.
- Companion animal dermatology references on Otodectes, Notoedres and flea allergy.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
