Our cats deserve our protection, especially from the tiniest of dangers. Small parasites such as ticks can be troublesome, causing a lot of pain, sadness, and discomfort. But what are ticks?
In this blog, we’re going to share everything you need to know about cat ticks and how they affect our pets. We’ll also teach you how to remove them and the best ways to protect your cat against future attacks.
Ticks are small, spider-like parasites that feed on the blood of various animals, including cats. Depending on their life stage, ticks have six to eight legs. Adult ticks can resemble tiny spiders because they belong to the same family.
Unlike fleas, ticks don't jump or fly. Instead, they climb or drop onto your cat's coat when your pet brushes past areas where ticks are waiting, such as tall grass or shrubs. Once on your cat, ticks attach firmly to the skin and feed slowly, often going unnoticed for a considerable time.
While ticks are less commonly found on cats than on dogs, outdoor cats, especially those in rural areas, are at a higher risk of encountering these parasites. Ticks are most commonly seen around the face, neck, ears, feet, and legs of your cat.
Common Types of Cat Ticks
Cat ticks come in several species, each with unique characteristics and risks. Here are the common types of cat ticks:
Brown Dog Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus is often found indoors in warmer climates and prefers dogs, but it can occasionally latch onto cats. Brown dog ticks can spread diseases like Ehrlichia, which may lead to severe health complications.
Lone Star Tick
Known for having a white dog on the back of the adult female, Amblyomma americanum is prevalent in the southeastern and eastern United States. Lone Star ticks can transmit diseases like Cytauxzoonosis, a serious and often fatal condition.
Deer Tick
The black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is common in wooded and grassy areas. Deer ticks are notorious for transmitting Lyme disease and tularemia in cats, but they rarely affect cats with this illness. However, they may carry other pathogens that can pose risks to felines.
What Are the Symptoms of Ticks in Cats?
Ticks on cats can cause a lot of symptoms, ranging from mild to concerning issues. Identifying the signs is a good thing, as you can help your cat recover from the dangers of these parasites. Here’s a short guide on the symptoms of cat ticks to get you started:
Visible Ticks. Ticks are most easily identified as small, dark, or tan bumps on your cat’s skin. They can vary in size, becoming larger and engorged as they feed. You’ll usually notice cat ticks around your best friend’s ears, under the chin, between the toes, and along the tail.
Skin Irritation or Redness. Because of cat ticks, these parasites can cause skin irritation and redness. Ticks inject saliva into the skin when they bite, which can trigger an inflammatory reaction. This might appear as localized redness, swelling, or even a rash.
Scabbing or Bumps. After a tick detaches or is removed, the site of the bite may develop into a scab or small lump. This is a natural part of the healing process, but it can also indicate a minor infection if the area appears inflamed, warm to the touch, or produces discharge.
Excessive Scratching. Cats affected by ticks tend to scratch or lick the affected areas more often because of the pain and irritation they feel. They may also over-groom areas where ticks have been, leading to hair loss or raw patches of skin.
Behavioral Changes. Cats also withdraw more often when they feel pain and discomfort. This is the same case when they have cat ticks. General discomfort, restlessness, irritability, and a reluctance to activity and touch are some common responses.
Loss of Appetite and Lethargy. You might also notice that your cat will not want to eat as much as before. Plus, some cats can appear tired all the time, leading to a reduction in physical activity.
Fever. If a tick transmits a pathogen, your cat’s immune system may react by raising its body temperature. Fever can manifest as warm ears, a dry nose, or a lack of energy. Cats with a fever may also appear sluggish or uninterested in their surroundings.
Breathing Difficulties. Severe tick infestations or certain tick-borne diseases can cause respiratory distress in cats. This may present as shallow or labored breathing, wheezing, or panting. Breathing issues are a medical emergency and should be addressed promptly.
Anemia. In cases of heavy infestation, ticks can draw enough blood to cause anemia, particularly in kittens or small cats. Signs of anemia are weakness, pale gums, and lethargy. Cats with anemia may also have an increased heart rate as their bodies work harder to circulate oxygen.
Vet Tips: How to Remove Your Cat’s Ticks
Cat ticks can be easily removed, but you must have the right tools and technique. Here’s a short tick-removal guide to show you how to get started:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
Start by finding fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. These are essential for safely grasping and removing the tick. Avoid blunt tweezers, as they can crush the tick. Prepare alcohol, gloves, a pet-safe antiseptic, a towel, and a small container.
Place the alcohol in the small container. This is where you’ll want to drop the ticks once you’ve removed them.
Step 2: Hold Your Cat Firmly
Ticks latch onto cats, and removing them might give your best friend a small pinch. This is why it’s important to restrain your cats firmly and comfortably. The most efficient way is to ask someone to help hold down your cat securely.
Step 3: Locate the Cat Tick
Find the cat ticks, which are common behind the ears, around the neck, along the tail base, and between the toes. You can do this by running your hand across your cat’s coat.
Cat ticks usually prefer areas with less fur, so check these areas as well as the common areas. Along these areas, you might feel a bump. Be sure not to press on your cat’s skin.
Cat ticks are visible to the naked eye, and they can be clearer once they have been feeding for too long. You can also gently push the fur side to check every corner of your cat’s skin, but always proceed gently.
Step 4: Remove the Tick
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool to hold the tick as close to your cat’s skin as possible. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, as its contents might drop on your cat. Apply slow, even pressure to remove the tick.
Place the cat tick on the container with alcohol. The alcohol will instantly kill the ticks in here, so you won’t have to worry about them anymore.
Once the ticks are removed, inspect the area to be sure no parts of the tick remain. If the head or mouthparts are still embedded, don’t try to remove them. Just wash the area with gentle soap and water, as the body will naturally push it out. If complications arise, bring your cat to the clinic.
Step 5: Clean the Bite Area
Clean the areas where you found your cat’s ticks after the entire process. Use a pet-safe antiseptic to clean the bite area and to reduce the risk of an infection recurring.
How to Prevent Ticks in Cats
Preventing cat ticks from ever bothering your best friend will help a lot. Through simple prevention methods, you can avoid all those unnecessary symptoms and focus on having a great time with your cat. Here’s how you can do it:
Use Preventive Products
These preventive treatments can be topical and oral, giving you plenty of options. Spot-on treatments can be easily applied, usually between the shoulder blades, so your cat can’t lick them.
Oral forms are also effective, eliminating ticks from inside. These are generally in a chewable type. However, oral preventives are generally given through a prescription.
Other products, such as flea and tick shampoos, sprays, and powders, are available. Plus, you can also use tick collars that help repel the parasite for a few months. Once you visit the clinic, we can assist you with the most suitable options your cat needs right at our vet pharmacy.
Groom Your Cat
Brush your cat at least once or twice a week, with more frequent brushing for long-haired cats. This can help you check for ticks and keep the coat free from dirt, debris, and allergens. If baths are needed, you can use a gentle shampoo. Be sure to dry your cat completely.
If you choose to have a much deeper clean, our cat grooming services can help you. Through a single visit, your cat can receive a deep clean plus a preventive against ticks.
Clean Your Home
Always clean your home and keep it free from ticks and other parasites. A good way to do this is to trim your lawn regularly, keeping the grass short. There are lots of products to choose from when it comes to yard care, just keep them away from your cat.
Limit Outdoor Exposure
Ticks love to stay in grassy and humid areas. To avoid cat ticks, make sure to keep your cats indoors at all times. If you want to spend time outdoors, avoid leaving your cat outside, especially during tick season.
“With a little knowledge, we can protect our cats’ smiles and happiness.”
- Dr. Mafalda Sardinha
Final Thoughts
Cat ticks can cause some serious discomfort and pain to your best friend. However, by understanding the right steps to take, you can easily help your cat live tick-free. Regular treatments, grooming, and home cleaning are the best ways to prevent ticks in cats.
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