How to Find and Remove Ticks on Cats
Cat ticks are spider-like, egg-shaped, blood-sucking arachnids. They have six to eight legs, depending on their life stage (larval ticks start with six legs but develop eight after molting) and range in size from about 1mm to 1cm long.
Tick larva, also called seed ticks, are tiny six-legged offspring that require blood meals to develop into adults. Adult ticks look a bit like small spiders. Ticks live in tall grasses, wooded areas, or in decaying leaves and debris.
Ticks don’t fly or jump but instead climb onto or drop onto your cat’s coat when they brush past the tick’s area. Once attached, they feed on blood until full, then drop off. While ticks are rarely dangerous to cats, they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and cytauxzoonosis, so it’s important to remove them promptly and use tick prevention products.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends checking your cat daily for ticks. Even cats that only go on patios or porches should be examined regularly. Let’s go over how to find, remove, and prevent ticks from becoming a problem for your cat.
How to Check a Cat for Ticks
Run your fingers gently through your cat’s fur, feeling for small bumps. If you notice one, part the fur to look closely. You might see a small black, brown, or gray dot that looks like a skin tag. Tick sizes vary depending on how long they’ve been feeding.
Ticks prefer dark, moist areas, so check carefully under the collar, between the toes, in the armpits, groin, ears, and even around the mouth. Tick bites can appear as small, red welts and may cause irritation or itching.Learn more about cat skin care and irritation relief at 1800PetMeds Cat Skin & Coat Care.
How to Remove a Tick from a Cat
If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible. You can visit your veterinarian if you’re unsure, but with care, you can do it yourself.
What You’ll Need
- A helper to hold your cat still
- A tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers
- Antiseptic, rubbing alcohol, or soap and water
- Latex gloves
- A sealable container for disposal
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather your supplies and put on gloves.
- Have your helper gently hold your cat still. Treats can help keep them calm.
- Use the tick removal tool or tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull straight upward with steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk, as this can leave parts of the tick embedded.
- Place the tick in the sealed container for identification if needed.
- Clean the bite area with antiseptic or soap and water (avoid the eyes).
- Disinfect your tools and wash your hands thoroughly.
What Not to Do
Avoid these unsafe methods:
- Burning the tick with a match
- Smothering it with petroleum jelly
- Crushing the tick
Irritating or squeezing a tick can cause it to release infectious fluids into your cat’s bloodstream, increasing disease risk.
Aftercare and Monitoring
After removal, monitor the bite site for redness, swelling, or pain over the next few weeks. Contact your veterinarian if you notice signs of infection or tick-borne illness such as:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Lameness
Keep the tick for identification in case symptoms develop.For added support, explore cat supplies to help treat bites and prevent infections.
How to Prevent Ticks
The best way to protect your cat is through prevention. Indoor cats are at lower risk, but ticks can still hitch a ride on people or other pets.
Environmental Prevention
- Keep grass and shrubs trimmed.
- Remove leaf litter and debris from your yard.
- Avoid wooded or overgrown areas when possible.
- Use pet-safe tick repellents outdoors.
Cat Tick Preventatives
There are several veterinarian-recommended preventatives available through 1800PetMeds’ Flea & Tick Control category:
Monthly Topical Treatments
Frontline Plus, Revolution Plus, Advantage II, and NexGard Combo are applied between the shoulder blades once a month to kill adult ticks. Bravecto offers protection for up to 12 weeks.
Oral Tick Preventive
Credelio is a chewable tablet that kills most common cat ticks within 72 hours and protects for 30 days.
Flea and Tick Collars
Seresto collars provide long-lasting protection for up to eight months.
Even when using a tick preventative, perform regular tick checks to ensure your cat stays safe and healthy.
Protect Your Cat Year-Round
Preventing ticks is easier than dealing with infestations or illness. Explore trusted Flea & Tick Prevention for Cats at 1800PetMeds to keep your cat comfortable, healthy, and tick-free all year long.
