Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites in cats. It is a single-celled parasite (protozoan) that can live in your cat’s intestines. Although it is fortunately rare, humans can also become infected with the Giardia parasite. Therefore, be sure to maintain proper hygiene if your pet has Giardia.
Giardia is spread through the feces of infected animals. Cats can also become infected by ingesting the parasite, for example by drinking contaminated water or licking their paws. Once ingested, the parasite multiplies in the intestines. The incubation period — the time between infection and the appearance of symptoms — is approximately 5 to 16 days. Infected animals carry the parasite and can contaminate their environment.
Most animals with Giardia show no symptoms. If your cat does show symptoms, fluctuating stool, diarrhea (often with mucus and blood), abdominal cramps, lethargy, weight loss, and reduced appetite may be signs of Giardia.
Giardia can be detected in the feces, but is often not found with standard fecal tests. At Worm&Co, we test for Giardia antigens using an additional test. If the fecal test shows your cat is infected with Giardia, we will provide you with a personalized treatment plan. This way, your cat’s health comes first and unnecessary deworming can be avoided. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to help.
Giardia parasites can survive for a long time outside your cat. The colder and more humid the environment, the longer the parasite remains infectious. In water below 10 °C, they can survive for up to 3 months, while in a dry environment with sunlight, they lose their infectious capacity after just a few days.
If your cat has Giardia, we are happy to help you with practical tips to combat the infection and prevent reinfection.
If your cat has been treated for Giardia, it is important to thoroughly clean your cat's environment. Steam and disinfect the area by first cleaning, rinsing, and then disinfecting. For disinfecting the space, we recommend using quaternary ammonium compounds or chlorine. Be sure your cat does not come into contact with these substances. Wash bedding, clothes, and blankets at 60 °C and dry them in the sun or a tumble dryer. Finally, clean your cat’s food and water bowls.
We advise washing your cat with pet shampoo, provided it does not cause excessive stress. Clean the litter box regularly. Lastly, we recommend submitting a follow-up test 14 days after treatment so we can check whether the deworming was effective and no resistance has developed.
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