Slugs aren't poisonous to cats, but they can carry lungworm parasites that cause health issues. When undetected, a lungworm infection can lead to both hospitalisation and death.
Of course, not every snail or slug is infected, so you don't need to panic if you spot your cat eating one of these slimy critters – but if they regularly eat snails and slugs the risk of contracting lungworm is higher.
Cats become infected by: Eating infected slugs or snails - Just as in the case of dog lungworm, the cat lungworm parasite is carried by infected slugs and snails. Although unusual, cats may accidentally eat a slug or snail while on their adventures around the neighbourhood.
It's true! Ordinary slugs and snails you find in your back garden can carry a parasite called lungworm. If your dog becomes infected – often after eating a slug or snail – the parasite can pose a real threat to their health and the disease may even prove to be fatal.
As any connoisseur of French cuisine knows, most snails are edible. The molluscs do, however, have the potential to cause problems in a few ways. Some snails, such as the cone snail, have poison glands that can inject lethal doses of toxins into dogs, cats, or humans.
Signs can include coughing, heavy breathing, wheezing, sneezing, poor appetite or anorexia, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and ocular or nasal discharge. "Signs may be more pronounced in kittens due to their immature immune system."
While, like its canine counterpart, feline lungworm can be picked up by interacting with slugs and snails, the feline lungworm can also live inside birds and small mammals such as mice. This means that cats are at risk of picking up feline lungworm when they hunt.
While slugs are slimy and damaging to plants, they are not poisonous to humans. However, some of them may carry diseases and parasites, such as the rat lungworm, that can be dangerous to other animals and us.
Not every snail or slug carries the disease and lungworm's geographical limitations means infection is currently relatively uncommon, but it does rear its head from time to time. In extreme cases it causes the death of infected patients, so it is potentially extremely serious.
Though it might seem strange, a slug infestation in the house is fairly common. This article will explain why slugs are entering your home and offer tips on keeping your slimy new friends out of the house.
Apply organic slug and snail defence gel.
A pet-friendly snail and slug gel works similarly to a spray. Our slug and snail gel is made with 100% plant-based ingredients to defend against slimy pests without the need for potentially toxic chemicals. It's entirely safe to use around all pets, children, and wildlife.
Snail and slug bait products, which typically contain the active ingredient metaldehyde, are available as a pellet, liquid, or powder. In order to attract snails and slugs molasses or brown sugar is added. Unfortunately, this also makes the bait highly attractive for our dogs and cats.
Most healthy cats can easily handle a mild lungworm infection, and they have no signs or symptoms. In general, though, the more parasites there are, the worse the symptoms, and your cat's age and general health can also affect the infection.
People with this condition may have headaches, a stiff neck, tingling or pain in the skin, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The time between eating the slug or snail and getting sick is usually 1-3 weeks.
Areas identified as access points can be sealed to prevent slugs and snails gaining access into a property. Removing any food sources or areas of cover from around your property is an effective way of reducing the numbers getting into the house. Problems with condensation or damp should be identified and resolved.
Infected slugs and snails also transmit rat lungworms to humans. All known cases of rat lungworm disease are linked to slug and snail contact.
Your standard over-the-counter dog worming treatment targets intestinal worms (such as roundworm and tapeworm) but is ineffective against lungworm – a potentially life-threatening disease in dogs.
After about 28 days the worms start to produce their own larvae which can lead to serious problems. It can cause haemorrhages in the lungs, liver, intestine, eyes and spinal cord, but also pretty much anywhere in the body.
NexGard Spectra has now been licensed for lungworm prevention, making it the only one available that simultaneously prevents lungworm and kills ticks in a palatable chew.
slug population is good for the garden. Slugs break down garden debris and turn it into nitrogen-rich fertilizer that enhances soil nutrition (similar to worm composting). They also are a natural food source for many beneficial insects, birds, frogs, snakes, and toads.
Slugs are widespread animals which can cause problems in the garden, eating holes in leaves, stems, flowers, tubers and bulbs. They can cause damage throughout the year on a wide range of plants, but seedlings and new growth on herbaceous plants in spring are most at risk.
Nematodes are the best way to kill slugs naturally – simply water onto the soil around your plants and let them get to work. Salt kills slugs naturally, however, it takes a lot of salt and should not be applied near your plants.
The cat often eliminates the worms by coughing them up or excreting them through the feces. Then, as long as the prescribed medication is given and the cat does not develop a secondary lung disease such as pneumonia, the prognosis is good. In severe cases, repeat X-rays or fecal examinations may be needed to follow up.
Once the infection is diagnosed, the vet will likely prescribe one of several different parasiticides such as Fenbendazole, Albendazole, Ivermectin, Praziquante and Levamisole. Usually, a 10-day course of Fenbendazole with three to four days of Ivermectin will clear the infection.
While lungworms can be difficult to treat, the good news is that they are relatively rare, and by working with your vet, you can maximize your cat's health and well-being — all while keeping them free of parasites.