Do Mosquitoes Bite Cats?

Video Transcript

"During that warm summer weather, it's great to be outside, and a lot of times, our pets like to join us there. But some pet owners are concerned about their animals being outside because they're exposed to certain pests, like mosquitoes. They're the same mosquitoes that might bite us. So you might wonder: Do mosquitoes bite cats? Well, the answer is yes. The next question is: Should we worry about it? Yes and no. It is possible, although pretty unusual, for cats to have allergic reactions to mosquito bites just like animals can have allergic reactions to all sorts of different things. If your cat's been bitten by a mosquito and it's developed a red area or any sort of crusting or scarring, or if it's continuing to scratch and bite at itself, then you might want to see your veterinarian about that. The other reason people might be concerned about mosquito bites is the fear of heartworm. If you have a dog, you might have heard someone say that getting bit by a mosquito can actually transfer the worms -- the larvae -- that will actually turn into heartworm, which could be very deadly to the dog, and most dogs take medication to prevent that heartworm development. Well, heartworm, while it's possible in cats, it is fairly unusual and so it's probably not as much of a concern. Still, in a lot of cases, it's just best to keep kitty inside. She's safer in there anyway, and it's actually better for the birds in your neighborhood, too. If she gets bit by a mosquito, keep an eye on her. If there's any problems, take her to see your veterinarian. I'm Janice Creneti, and this is do mosquitoes bite cats."