Fleas, ticks, and mites cause significant welfare harm to cats. Comprehensive ectoparasite prevention maintains skin health and prevents secondary complications.
Ectoparasites cause significant welfare harm through direct irritation, allergic responses, and secondary infections. Flea infestation in allergic cats causes extreme pruritus leading to self-trauma, hair loss, and secondary bacterial skin infection. Sarcoptic mange causes intense welfare compromise through constant severe itch. Environmental control preventing household flea infestation is as important as treating the cat directly. Consistent monthly prevention eliminates the welfare harm of ectoparasites for the vast majority of cats when started proactively rather than reactively.