Author: Barri J. Morrison, DVM

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Ants Ant bites also cause localized pain and swelling, but typically do not have significant whole-body effects on cats. Ants can crawl on a cat at the contact point between a body part and the ground, so standing cats get bitten on their feet and lounging cats can be bitten anywhere on the body having contact with the floor. Ant bites are often red, raised bumps with or without a small white pocket of pus in the center. In addition to the skin lesion, itching, limping, or lameness are the most common signs associated with ant bites on cats. Use caution when you have your cat outside, on a patio, or inside a home where ants might live. Using a steroid or antihistamine cream might be prescribed, based on your cat’s symptoms. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what remedies are best to use for ant bites on your cat.,How to Keep Cats Safe from Common Bug Bites Bug bites in cats can be prevented with different repellents, but keep in mind that cats are very sensitive to certain chemicals. Avoid the use of pesticides in your home. It is extremely important that you speak to your veterinarian before using any bug bite treatments, preventions, or products in your home or on your cat. Making sure your cat and all other pets are safe is the best way to avoid most bites and stings. If possible, limit your cat’s time outdoors, especially during times when bugs are most prevalent. If your cat does spend time outdoors, always thoroughly inspect their fur and skin for any bugs, bug bites, or stings. Make sure that your yard and home are routinely treated with pet-safe products to help decrease the incidence of bug bites.  Featured Image:iStock.com/Iva Vagnerova,The following may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy. Cats are curious creatures and enjoy using their noses to sniff out anything of interest. They enjoy the noise or even the taste of a tiny bug—but this can sometimes get them into trouble. Bugs often seek out and find cats to facilitate their life cycle. Some can harm cats by causing irritated, itchy skin, and a few can be fatal to cats because they are poisonous or transmit infectious disease. It’s important to know what certain types of bug bites look like—not only to treat them effectively, but also to prevent them. Fleas Fleas are tiny, black, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals, especially cats. Often, you see the fleas themselves or specks of flea feces before you notice any flea bites on your cat’s body. Flea bites appear commonly around a cat’s neck, down their back, and around the base of the tail. They usually appear as single raised red or pink spots, or in clusters. Flea bites can also have a faint red ring around the bite. These bites can quickly scab, especially in cats that are allergic to fleas. Flea bites are often less severe in cats that are not allergic but they are still itchy and irritating. Fleas are common on outdoor cats but can also be found on indoor cats. Having your cat on a consistent flea prevention regimen is the best way to avoid flea bites and their diseases. Year-round flea prevention is recommended for all cats in your home, whether they go outdoors or not. Flea bites can also be treated with anti-itch creams and a soothing bath with medicated shampoo. Check your cats routinely for fleas to catch any before they can cause too much pain to your cat. Ask your veterinarian to determine which treatment and prevention protocol would be best for your lifestyle.

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