Do Mosquitoes Bite Cats?

Do cats get mosquito bites?

Can cats get mosquito bites? Yes, definitely your cats are as likely to get bitten by mosquitoes as you. Since, mosquitoes are attracted by smell of carbon dioxide and body odor emitted by humans and animals, they will locate and bite even your cats. Just like us humans, mosquitoes can easily bite cats.

How do mosquitoes bite cats?

First they smell and locate cats based on their body odor, They target exposed skin areas where fur is not present or very low. They land on these perfect spots specially around ears, and initiate a bite. Whenever do mosquitoes bite cats, they inject saliva inside the cat’s body and that will cause irritation, redness and swollen bumps, which are itchy. It can also cause some allergic reactions in your cat, as some cats are hypersensitive to mosquitoes.

If you notice your cat scratching or any excessive movement around ears, nose, eyes and paws, than you can guess it might have been bitten by mosquitoes.

Common areas where cats can get mosquito bites

There are certain parts of your cats body that has less fur and therefore more exposed. These areas are highly prone to mosquito attacks and so you will see mosquito bite on cat around these areas mostly:

• Ears
• Nose
• Eyes
• Paws

Ears an nose are the most common areas and you will see redness and swollen bites if your cat has mosquito bites. Ears are the most frequent targets due to the thin skin around it. Sometimes the cat paws are wet and moistened most of the time which invites mosquitoes bites at or near paws also.

How to keep mosquitoes away from cats?

There are some preventive measures to keep your cats protected from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will anyhow will do their best to locate humans and animals, by smelling their body odor and will find your cats too. Please note there are many mosquito repellents including natural essential oils, that are not safe for pets, especially cats. To keep mosquitoes away from cats, you should take certain actions and changes in cat routine.

1. Keep your cat Indoors and limit their outdoor time

Before wondering on how to keep mosquitoes off cats, you must take your cat indoors first. While keeping your cats indoors, specially when mosquitoes activity are at peak. From evening to early morning, you can take other measures to keep mosquitoes away from cats. Also, limit outdoor time for cats, as there are certain mosquito borne diseases that may infect your cats.

2. Use window screens and mosquito nets

Window screens and mosquito nets are physical barriers that will keep mosquitoes away from cats. Avoid frequent opening of doors and windows.

3. Keep your house free from mosquito infestation

If your house itself has a breeding zone inside like mosquito larvae in toilets, water tanks, clogged drainage, or in any other standing water. These will allow mosquito breeding and more number of mosquitoes inside your home. Use different methods to kill mosquito larvae in standing water, and get rid of any infestation inside your home.

4. Use mosquito repellents that are safe for cats

Some synthetic mosquito repellents you are using for yourself may not be suitable for cats, can be toxic for them and their fur. Also, you can’t use DEET or most essentials oils like, Tea tree oil which have been found to be unsuitable for cats (Tea tree oil toxicity), causing weakness, inability to walk, paralysis, tremors, liver damage, etc. There are specific mosquito repellents specially designed for pets, those are safe for cats.

5. Mosquito repellent collars for cats

There are cat collars available in market that are infused with mosquito repellents, and they give all day long mosquito protection to your cat. Make sure the collar is suitable for cats and not contain any harmful toxic ingredients.

How to protect outdoor cats from mosquitoes?

Outdoor cats as well as local stray cats are always prime targets for these pesky mosquitoes. The cats can’t struggle and fight all night against them as they come in swarm. Find below some tips to protect outdoor cats from mosquitoes:

• Shelter: You can provide an outdoor shelter to cats that remain outdoors. This shelter must be equipped with mosquito nets and screens. It will be the best escape place for outdoor cats from mosquitoes.
• Mosquito repellent: Use natural pet safe mosquito repellents that are not toxic for cats. Be informed here as most of the natural and essential oils are not safe for animals and pets, you should check before using any.
• Mosquito nets: Provide a mosquito net around your lawn or cover a specific part for your cats, that will provide protection to cats even in outdoors.
• Zappers and traps: Sometimes the population of mosquitoes are not that high to consider major preventive actions. In such cases you can use zappers or mosquito traps to repel mosquitoes at places where outdoor cats mostly play around.

Fire pits for mosquitoes are not advised here, as it will remain unattended overnight. And the fire may spread accidentally causing major problems.

How to treat mosquito bites on cats?

If your cat is bitten by mosquitoes it is important for you to know, how to treat mosquito bites on cats. This should be done quickly to relieve your cat mosquito bite from discomfort and irritation.

• Clean the area around the bite: Clean with soap water to remove any bacteria or debris which may have reached there while scratching.
• Apply cold-compress: To get instant relief from swelling and itching you can apply cold-compress for a few minutes.
• Check for any any allergic reactions: Wait and monitor your cat for any signs of allergic reactions. If you notice excessive swelling and redness for a prolonged time, you must see your veterinary doctor immediately.
• Use anti-itch creams: If the mosquito bites are continuously itching causing severe discomfort, you can use only the pet safe ant-itch creams that are advised by veterinarian.

Risks of mosquito borne diseases in cats

Mosquitoes are not just pesky insects that irritates us and our pets, but they are also responsible for transmitting diseases. Cats are also prone to mosquito borne diseases and the most significant one is Heartworm disease, which can be fatal for your cat. Therefore, preventing mosquitoes from biting your cats is very important at first place.

There are medications and vaccinations available to prevent Heartworm disease in cats. Ensure your cat is fully vaccinated till date and ask your vet for heartworm prevention medications for your cat, if they spend time outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)