A Comprehensive Guide: How to Check Your Cat for Ticks

Ensuring your feline friend remains tick-free is an essential aspect of cat health care that often goes overlooked. Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that can cause discomfort for your pet and transmit dangerous diseases. Today, we will discuss how to check your cat for ticks and the essential preventive measures to keep these unwelcome guests at bay.

Understanding Ticks

Ticks are tiny parasites that thrive in warm, humid environments. They’re especially prevalent in wooded and grassy areas. These pests latch onto the skin of their hosts, feeding on their blood, and in the process, they can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and cytauxzoonosis, a potentially deadly disease for cats.

Where do ticks hide on cats?

Ticks prefer to feed in areas with thinner skin and are out of reach from a cat’s grooming. Though they can attach anywhere on the body, check in and around the ears, around the eyes, under the collar, under the front legs, behind the back legs, between the toes, and around the tail and rectum.

Can an indoor cat get ticks?

Outdoor cats are more susceptible to tick infestations due to greater exposure. However, an indoor cat can get ticks if carried inside by their owner or another pet that goes outdoors. While unlikely, ticks can hide in carpeting and wooden floorboards and attach to an indoor cat when they need to feed again. Check your indoor pet for ticks when petting or grooming, especially in endemic areas and during times of peak tick activity.

Materials You’ll Need

• Gloves
• A fine-toothed comb or flea comb
• Tweezers
• Disinfectant solution
• Tick removal tool (optional)

The Checking Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Cat – Start by calming and placing your cat in a comfortable and well-lit area. Wearing gloves protects you in case your cat has ticks.
Step 2: Start the Search – Using your fingers or the fine-toothed comb, part your cat’s fur and check the skin underneath. Ticks can attach anywhere on your cat’s body, but they’re commonly found around the head, neck, ears, and feet.
Step 3: Identify the Tick – Ticks vary in size, from as small as a pinhead to as large as a pencil eraser when engorged. They often appear as small dark specks on your cat’s skin.
Step 4: Remove the Tick – If you find a tick, use the tweezers or a special tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to your cat’s skin as possible. Pull upwards with steady, even pressure. Be sure not to twist or jerk, as this can leave parts of the tick embedded in your cat’s skin.
Step 5: Disinfect – Clean the bite area with a pet-safe disinfectant solution once the tick has been safely removed. Please dispose of the tick by submerging it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag, or flushing it down the toilet.

What tick species am I likely to find on my cat?

Though any species of tick can bite a cat, three species of ticks are abundant in North America and are the most likely to be found on cats and other animals. Different kinds of ticks prefer different habitats and geographical regions, though these areas often overlap.

American Dog Tick

American dog ticks are chestnut brown with white spots that may turn slate gray when engorged. They are most often found in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and East Coast in the United States and central and eastern Canada. They are most common in the spring and summer months.

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks are various shades of brown. Females have a distinctive white or silvery spot on their back, while males have scattered white spots. They are common in the underbrush along creeks and rivers, especially in the U.S. Midwest, East Coast, and Southwestern states. The range of lone star ticks may expand due to increased populations and ranges of white-tailed deer who often carry these ticks.

Deer Tick/Black-legged Tick

Also known as the black-legged tick, the deer tick is reddish brown with dark brown or black coloring between the mouth and body. They are often found in wooded areas along trails, especially in the Midwest, Eastern U.S., and Canada. As their name suggests, deer or black-legged ticks have dark legs and are common in areas with lots of wildlife.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you discover a tick on your cat, it’s crucial not to panic. Carefully follow the removal process as described above. Monitor your cat closely for any changes in behavior, appetite, or physical condition in the days following tick removal. If any signs of illness appear, seek veterinary care immediately.

Preventing Ticks on Your Cat

• Use Tick Collars – Tick collars are a convenient way to keep ticks away from your cat. They are designed to repel ticks and kill any that latch onto your pet.
• Regular Grooming – Brushing your cat regularly keeps its coat healthy and allows you to check for any unwanted parasites.
• Limit Outdoor Activities During Peak Tick Seasons – Ticks are most active from spring through fall. If possible, limit your cat’s outdoor activities during these periods or keep them in enclosed areas where the environment can be controlled.

FAQ – How to Check Your Cat For Ticks

Should I take my cat to the vet for a tick bite?

A veterinary visit is unnecessary after finding and safely removing a small number of ticks from a cat. Consult a veterinarian in the case of a heavy infestation that includes dozens of ticks, especially in young kittens.

Are tick bites dangerous for cats?

Tick-borne illnesses are rare in cats, but tick bites sometimes become infected. Heavy tick infestations can also result in anemia from blood loss that can be life-threatening. It’s important to check pets for ticks to avoid infection and complications.

How long will a tick live on a cat?

Ticks attach themselves to cats to feed and then fall off once fully engorged, usually after a few days. They do not lay eggs or breed on cats like fleas.

Do ticks jump from cats to humans?

Ticks do not jump like fleas do. Instead, they wait in brush or tall grass with their legs outstretched and grab onto a host that walks past.

Conclusion

Remember, the best way to deal with ticks is prevention. Regular checks and preventive measures can help keep your feline friend tick-free. And while it may seem like a daunting task, your cat will thank you for your diligent care in the long run.

The information in this blog post should be different from professional veterinary advice. Always consult a vet if you are unsure about your cat’s health or have concerns about ticks or other parasites.

Remember that while ticks can be a nuisance and sometimes even a health risk, they’re a part of the natural world, just like our beloved pets. It’s our responsibility as pet owners to do our part in protecting our furry friends from potential harm. We can ensure our cats live a comfortable, tick-free life by staying informed and taking preventative steps.

Checking for ticks might seem like a small step, but it plays a vital role in your cat’s health. So, whether you’re a new cat owner or a seasoned cat parent, we hope this guide assists you in navigating the process of checking your cat for ticks and helps keep your beloved feline healthy and happy.

So, suit up, and check your cat for ticks!  If you need pet sitting this summer, please contact Karla’s Pet Care, LLC for all your pet sitting needs.