Ticks on Cats: How to Remove Them Safely and Prevent Tick Diseases

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

A tick on your cat is more than a nuisance. These small parasites feed on blood and can pass on infections. Cats are better groomers than dogs and remove many ticks themselves, but outdoor cats still pick them up. Knowing how to remove a tick properly and how to prevent them can protect your cat's health.

Where ticks hide

Ticks live in tall grass, brush, leaf litter and woods, and climb onto passing animals. On a cat, they favor:

• Around the head, ears and eyelids
• The neck and chin
• Between the toes
• Under the legs and in the armpits
• Around the tail base

They may be as small as a poppy seed before feeding and as large as a pea once swollen with blood.

How to check your cat

Run your fingers slowly over your cat's body after time outdoors, feeling for small bumps. Part the fur, and look at the skin. Pay attention to the ears and between the toes. Regular brushing helps. See how to brush a cat.

How to remove a tick

You need fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, gloves, antiseptic and a small container.

1. Put on gloves. Have someone help hold your cat if needed.
2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can.
3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk or squeeze the body.
4. Place the tick in a sealed container or bag, or dispose of it, as advised by your vet.
5. Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or antiseptic.
6. Watch the spot for redness or swelling.

Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat or alcohol on the tick, since these may make it release more saliva.

If you cannot remove it, or if the tick is near the eye, ask a vet to help. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Diseases ticks can carry

Cats seem less susceptible than dogs, but ticks can transmit:

• Cytauxzoonosis (bobcat fever). A serious, often fatal infection spread by certain ticks in parts of the southern and central US, causing fever, lethargy and jaundice.
• Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. Cause fever and lethargy.
• Bartonella. Spread by fleas and ticks, with mild illness in most cats.
• Tularemia and others. Rarer.
• Tick paralysis, from a toxin in the saliva of some ticks, in rare cases.

Heavy tick burdens can also cause anemia, especially in kittens.

Signs after a bite

For several weeks, watch for:

• Fever, lethargy or hiding
• Loss of appetite
• Pale or yellow gums
• Weakness or difficulty walking
• Fast breathing
• Swelling or a persistent lump at the bite site

Seek veterinary care right away if you see these signs, especially in regions where cytauxzoonosis occurs. See the emergency warning signs guide.

Prevention

• Use vet-approved tick preventives made for cats. Spot-ons, collars and oral products exist, and your vet can choose one suited to your cat and region.
• Never use dog products. Permethrin is highly toxic to cats. See cat poisoning what to do.
• Keep cats indoors or in an enclosure. See how to build a catio.
• Maintain your yard. Mow grass, clear leaf litter and trim brush.
• Check cats after outings.
• Control fleas as well. See fleas on cats.

Ticks and people

Ticks that fall off your cat can bite you. Wash bedding, and check yourself after handling a cat with ticks.

Tick season and regions

Tick activity depends on climate. In many parts of the US, ticks are most active from spring through fall, but in mild regions they can be a year-round concern. Ask your vet which tick-borne diseases are common where you live and how long to protect your cat. Cytauxzoonosis is mainly seen in the south-central and southeastern states.

Kittens and tick safety

Young kittens are fragile, and heavy infestations can cause anemia. Many tick preventives are not licensed for very young kittens, so ask your vet which products are safe by age and weight. See kitten first vet visit.

Keeping a record

If your cat has had a tick, write down the date and where it was found. If your cat becomes unwell in the following weeks, this information helps your vet decide which tests to run.

Tick checks in multi-pet homes

Dogs often carry ticks inside, where they drop off and find cats. Check all pets, and use vet-approved prevention for each species. Never share dog products with cats.

When to see a vet

See a vet if your cat has many ticks, a lump that persists or any signs of illness. Ask about year-round prevention. See cat vet visit costs.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.