Cat Parasites: Integrative Approaches to Disease, Diagnostic Innovation, and Therapy

Domestic cats have become increasingly important as companion animals, accompanied by growing concern from owners regarding their health and, consequently, by a rise in veterinary clinical demands. In this context, parasitic diseases stand out due to their high prevalence and significant impact on feline well-being, despite often being underestimated in clinical practice.

The main parasites affecting cats include endoparasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma spp., and Giardia spp., as well as widely distributed ectoparasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites. These infections may range from asymptomatic conditions to severe clinical manifestations, influenced by factors such as age, body condition, and environment. Nonetheless, many feline parasitic diseases remain poorly understood, and much of the available knowledge is often extrapolated from studies conducted in dogs, which may limit diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic success in cats.

The role of cats and their parasites in zoonotic transmission cycles is also relevant. Several feline parasites present direct or indirect zoonotic potential, posing an additional challenge to public health, particularly in households with immunocompromised individuals, children, or multiple animals.

The diagnosis and treatment of feline parasitoses continue to present important challenges. Conventional diagnostic methods often have limited sensitivity, depend on biological factors such as intermittent parasite shedding, and frequently require complementary techniques for confirmation. Likewise, therapeutic management may be hindered by variable drug responses, the lack of species-specific protocols, and the emergence of antiparasitic resistance.

Given these challenges, strengthening scientific knowledge on feline parasitic infections, improving diagnostic tools, and developing more effective therapeutic strategies are essential steps to enhance clinical practice and reduce zoonotic risks.

The scope of this Research Topic covers the full spectrum of feline parasitology, with a clear focus on domestic cats regardless of their living conditions or geographical location. Studies should not include wild felids or other companion animals. To deepen knowledge within these boundaries, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Epidemiological surveys of endoparasitic and ectoparasitic infections in household, shelter, and free-roaming cats
• Comparative studies of conventional, molecular, and immunological diagnostic methods
• Evaluation of current and emerging antiparasitic treatments, including resistance monitoring
• Zoonotic aspects and public health implications of feline parasitism
• Interventions aimed at improving owner education, compliance, and preventive strategies

We encourage submissions in the form of original research articles, reviews, case reports, brief communications, and perspectives.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Cat parasites, Feline parasitology, Endoparasites, Ectoparasites, Zoonosis, Diagnosis, Molecular diagnostics, Antiparasitic therapy, Drug resistance, Public health, Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma, Giardia, Fleas, Ticks, Veterinary medicine, Shelter cats, Epidemiology, Preventive strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.