Top 10 what do cat ticks look like You Need To Know

They’re quite easy to spot on your cat’s skin and will usually feel like a small bump (which can sometimes be mistaken for a little skin swelling or mass), so it’s a good idea to inspect your cat regularly for signs of ticks.

Where do ticks come from?

Ticks generally prefer areas with lots of dense shrubbery, such as woodlands, grassland or countryside gardens, however they’re also common in areas with deer, sheep, hedgehogs or rabbits. Cats get ticks most frequently during the spring and autumn, but the little parasites can be found at any time of the year.

How can my cat catch ticks?

There are a number of different ways your cat can catch ticks. The first and the most likely is from other animals. Cats often interact with other animals once they leave the house. Ticks can find their way from one animal onto your cat very easily. If you are worried about cat ticks we advise you not to leave food outside your house, as this can encourage other animals to enter your cat’s territory.

If you tend to go on walks outside in fields or woodland areas ticks could find their way onto your clothes easily. This is because they tend to cling onto the top of branches and blades of grass, when you then brush past them they cling onto your hair and clothing. This means even indoor cats are in dangers of catching ticks, so whether your cat travels outside or not tick prevention is still something you should be aware of and do.

Another way your cat can catch ticks is just from exploring outside. Ticks can survive outside when not on a host. They can just as easily cling to a cat’s fur as they can to your clothing.

What are the dangers of ticks on my cat?

Ticks can be a very dangerous problem for cats. This is because some ticks carry disease when they feed. One of these diseases that ticks can carry is ‘Q fever’. If a cat contracts this disease it may begin to show a few of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Anorexia
• Depression
• Miscarriages
• Occasionally seizures (although this is not very common)

Another disease that ticks carry is Ehrlichiosis. Once a cat contracts this disease a number of symptoms may begin to show themselves. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, swollen glands, lethargy, anorexia, swollen joints, discharge from the eyes and more.

What you’ll need to remove a tick from a cat:

• Another person to keep your cat calm and steady.
• A pair of gloves to wear – this is important as ticks can carry diseases which affect humans.
• A tick removing tool. You can purchase one at most pet shops, or you can also ask your vet to give you one.
• Cat-friendly antiseptic wipes.
• A small container to dispose of the tick.
• Disinfectant to clean your tick remover tool after use.

Removing a tick from a cat can be difficult because it’s important that you get the whole tick out without leaving its mouthparts buried in your cat’s skin, as this could lead to an infection. If you’re not sure how to remove the tick or you have difficulty trying to get it all out, take your cat to a vet.

Step by step guide to removing a tick from your cat:

1. Ask a friend or family member to keep your cat calm, and don’t start trying to remove the tick until your cat is relaxed.
2. Part the fur around the tick so you can get a good view.
3. Position the tick remover around the body of the tick, close to your cat’s skin.
4. Carefully pull and twist the tool (making sure not to squeeze) to dislodge the tick. Take your time with this step.
5. Once the tick has been removed, check the mouthparts are still attached to the tick, place it in a container and dispose of it safely so it can’t get back onto your cat.
6. Clean the area with your cat-friendly antiseptic.
7. Dispose of the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.
8. Disinfect your tool to ensure it’s clean for future use.

If you don’t manage to get the whole tick, or if the area looks like it might be getting infected, take your cat to the vet.