• English
  • Norway(USD $)
  • Germany(EUR €)
  • Hong Kong SAR(HKD HK$)
  • Taiwan(TWD NT$)
  • Belgium(EUR €)
  • Japan(JPY ¥)
  • New Zealand(NZD $)
  • France(EUR €)
  • Sweden(SEK kr)
  • Singapore(SGD S$)
  • Indonesia(IDR Rp)
  • United Kingdom(GBP £)
  • Canada(CAD $)
  • United States(USD $)
  • Macao SAR(MOP P)
  • Israel(ILS ₪)
  • Switzerland(CHF ₣)
  • Korea(KRW ₩)
  • Mexico(MXN $)
  • Italy(EUR €)
  • Malaysia(MYR RM)
  • Spain(EUR €)
  • Austria(EUR €)
  • Thailand(THB ฿)
  • Australia(AUD AU$)
  • Philippines(PHP ₱)
  • Vietnam(VND ₫)
Free Shipping Worldwide Free Shipping Worldwide
/ /

Mosquito Bites on Cats: What You Need to Know for Your Pet's Safety

Oct 14,2024 | puaintapets

Can Mosquitoes Bite Cats?

Mosquitoes do bite cats. Female mosquitoes need to suck blood to lay their eggs, so they seek out a variety of animals with blood as a food source, including cats. Characteristics such as body temperature, body odour and body colour of cats may attract the attention of mosquitoes, making them a target. In summer or humid environments, mosquitoes are more active and cats have an increased likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes. To protect cats from mosquitoes, preventive measures can be taken such as using mosquito repellent, avoiding times and places where mosquitoes are active, and cleaning the environment. If a cat is bitten by a mosquito, local reactions such as redness, swelling and itching may occur, and in severe cases, allergic reactions or other health problems may be triggered. Therefore, it is essential for people who own cats to take appropriate anti-mosquito measures. 

mosquitoes bite cats

In Which Parts of the Skin Do Mosquitoes Usually Bite Cats?

Mosquitoes usually choose the weak areas of cats to bite, which have relatively little hair, making it easier for mosquitoes to reach the skin. According to the information searched, the cat's ears, nose and around the eyes are the areas where mosquitoes often bite. These areas are more densely populated with blood vessels, making them ideal blood-sucking locations for mosquitoes. To protect your pet cat from mosquito bites, consider using children's mosquito coils, insect repellents, or cat-friendly mosquito shields. In addition, avoiding taking your cat outside during times when mosquitoes are active and keeping your cat's living environment clean will reduce mosquito breeding. 

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Cats?

Mosquitoes like to bite cats mainly because they are attracted to specific chemicals in the cat's body, such as muscle acids, as well as the cat's body temperature, breathing and odour. Certain parts of the cat, such as around the ears and nose, have less hair and are easier targets for mosquito bites. In addition, the activities and distribution of mosquitoes are also affected by environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity and light, which are more suitable for the survival and breeding of mosquitoes in summer. Therefore, even if cats have thick hair, they may still be the target of mosquito bites. 

Common symptoms of mosquito bites in cats

  • Localised redness, swelling and itching

Mosquito bites can cause a red, swollen and itchy reaction on your cat's skin due to the presence of anticoagulants and other irritants in the saliva injected by mosquitoes as they suck blood. 

  • Allergic reaction

Some cats may have an allergic reaction to mosquito bites in the form of pimples, scabs or hair loss, especially in areas with less hair such as the ears and nose. 

  • Behavioural changes

Cats bitten by mosquitoes may show agitation or frequent scratching of the bitten area. 

  • Heartworm disease

Mosquitoes are the vectors of heartworm, and prolonged untreated heartworm disease may lead to serious disease in the cat's heart and lungs. 

Related:  Do Cats Need Heartworm Prevention

  • Breathing difficulties

In severe cases, mosquito bites can cause breathing difficulties or other more serious health problems in cats. 

If your cat shows any of the above symptoms or behavioural abnormalities, you should take your cat to the veterinarian for examination and treatment. At the same time, appropriate preventive measures, such as the use of physical anti-mosquito facilities and safe mosquito repellent products, should be taken to reduce mosquito bites on cats. 

How is Heartworm Disease transmitted to cats through mosquitoes?

Transmission of Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is caused by the heartworm, a parasite that is transmitted to cats mainly through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites an animal already infected with heartworm, the mosquito ingests blood containing heartworm larvae (microfilariae). These larvae continue to develop inside the mosquito and after about 10 to 30 days, the larvae enter the mosquito's salivary glands and are transmitted to another host with the mosquito's next bite.

When an infected mosquito bites a cat, the larvae enter the cat's skin through the mosquito's saliva and subsequently travel through blood vessels into the circulation. These larvae then migrate to the heart and lungs where they grow into adults and begin laying eggs, thus completing their life cycle. This process involves the mosquito acting as a vector. 

Important measures to prevent the spread of heartworm disease include the use of anti-mosquito agents, installation of screens and screen doors, and regular heartworm disease prevention and testing treatments for pet cats.

mosquitoes bite cats

What to Do With Mosquito Bites in Cats?

Treatment Steps

  • Check the bite site

First, carefully inspect the location of your cat's mosquito bite to see if there is any visible redness, swelling or bleeding.

  • Clean the wound

Gently clean the bite site with warm water and mild, unscented soap to remove possible contaminants and reduce the risk of infection.

  • Cold compresses

A cold wet cloth can be gently applied to the bite to help reduce inflammation and itching.

  • Prevent scratching

Ensure that your cat cannot lick or scratch the bite site to prevent further trauma or infection. Consider using an Elizabethan collar.

  • Monitor symptoms

Watch your cat closely for signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, facial swelling or generalised discomfort. If these symptoms occur, contact your veterinarian immediately.

  • Preventive Measures

Use cat-friendly mosquito repellent products and make sure there is no stagnant water in your home to minimise mosquito breeding. Clean your cat's living environment regularly to keep it dry and hygienic.

Please follow the above steps to deal with mosquito bites in cats. If you are concerned about your cat's reaction or if the bite site shows signs of infection, consult your veterinarian promptly.

Wrong Treatment of Mosquito Bites in Cats

When a cat is bitten by a mosquito, the wrong treatment may exacerbate the discomfort or lead to infection. Here are some wrong treatments to avoid.

  1. Using floral water or essential oils to relieve itching: These products may be too harsh for cats, especially essential oils, which may burn the glandular cells in the cat's nose or cause poisoning. 
  2. Use of mosquito repellent rings: these repellent rings may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats, such as pyrethroids and mosquito avoidance amines, which may cause dizziness, convulsions or even death. 
  3. Using garlic to stop itching: the chemicals in garlic may destroy the red blood cells in the cat's body, leading to haemolytic anaemia, so garlic tablets should not be used to help cats stop itching. 
  4. Ignoring your cat's discomfort: Even if your cat's symptoms from mosquito bites seem mild, they should not be ignored because mosquito bites can cause allergic reactions or spread disease. 

Proper treatment should include cleaning the wound, using a cold compress to relieve itching and reduce swelling, avoiding the cat licking and biting the wound to prevent infection, and consulting a veterinarian if necessary. When treating a cat's wound, use mild soapy and warm water and prevent the cat from licking or scratching until the wound is fully healed. If your cat develops severe allergy symptoms or wound infection, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

mosquitoes bite cats

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites in Cats?

To effectively prevent your cat from being bitten by mosquitoes, you can take the following measures:

  • Use safe mosquito repellent products

Choose mosquito repellents that are safe for cats, such as those containing the ingredient Paicaridine, which has shown no obvious toxicological effects in animal experiments and is widely used in Australia and Europe, and there are no reports of poisoning in cats. 

  • Physical mosquito repellent

Installation of screens and screen doors: This is an effective barrier to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. 
Use of electric fans: Mosquitoes do not like strong winds and electric fans can interfere with mosquito flight, making it difficult for them to approach. 
Air-conditioning to repel mosquitoes: Lower temperatures can reduce the activity of mosquitoes, and appropriately lowering the air-conditioning temperature can help reduce mosquitoes. 
Wear light-coloured clothes: Mosquitoes tend to stay on dark-coloured clothes, light-coloured clothes can reduce the chance of being bitten. 
Remove stagnant water: Regularly clean up any stagnant water in your home and surroundings, as stagnant water is an ideal place for mosquitoes to breed. 
Use mosquito nets: Using a mosquito net while sleeping provides personal protection from mosquito bites. 
Install orange light bulbs indoors: Mosquitoes are afraid of orange-red light, and light bulbs of this colour can be used to repel mosquitoes. 
Use an electric mosquito swatter: Electric mosquito swatters are effective in killing flying mosquitoes and are suitable for indoor use.

  • Environmental management

Clean up stagnant water and weeds in the surrounding area to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. Install screens and screen doors to stop mosquitoes from entering the house. Use electric fans or air-conditioners to reduce temperature and humidity and increase wind speed to interfere with mosquito flight. 

  • Avoid mosquito repellent products that are harmful to cats

Avoid using mosquito repellent products containing pyrethroids, Dodecylamine (DEET), plant essential oils and other ingredients that may be toxic to cats.  The reason for not using mosquito repellent products containing DEET is mainly because it is toxic to certain animals, especially cats. Cats lack a special enzyme in their liver which prevents them from metabolising DEET effectively. If cats inhale or lick products containing DEET, they may experience symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, seizures, and in severe cases, even death. Therefore, to protect the health of cats, mosquito repellent products containing DEET should be avoided around them. When choosing mosquito repellent products, consider using alternatives that are relatively safe for cats, such as Repellent Ester (IR3535) or Picaridin. 

  • Regular deworming

Give your cat regular insect repellent medication to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as heartworm disease

Fenbendazole Tablets Dewormer

Fenbendazole Tablets Dewormer

Chewable deworming medicine for dogs helps eliminate the most common forms of tapeworms—Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis.

View Product

By using the above methods, you can effectively reduce the risk of your cat being bitten by mosquitoes while ensuring the health and safety of your cat. After using any mosquito repellent products, you should ensure that your cat will not directly touch or lick these products to avoid potential health risks.

Also Read: How to Protect Cats from Mosquitoes

FAQs

conclusion

Mosquitoes can bite cats. Just like humans, cats are susceptible to mosquito bites, which can lead to irritation, itching, and in some cases, more serious health concerns. Mosquitoes are known to transmit diseases such as heartworm to cats, particularly in areas where these parasites are prevalent. While heartworm disease is more common in dogs, it can still affect cats and potentially cause respiratory issues or other health problems.

To protect cats from mosquito bites, especially in high-risk areas, consider using vet-approved repellents or keeping them indoors during peak mosquito activity.

Comment

Name
Email
Comment