Ticks on Cats: The Guide

Ticks are small parasites from the arachnid family that love to feed on the blood of mammals, including your cat! They look like small spiders and can have soft or hard bodies.

Hard-bodied ticks from the Ixodidae family are the most common ones to affect our pets here in the UK, becoming active in the Spring as the warmer weather arrives, and lying dormant in the winter.

Cat ticks only have small legs and cannot jump or fly, instead they hitch a ride after your cat brushes past a bush or long grass, or they drop down off trees as your cat explores. Sometimes they can even crawl across the ground and climb onto your pet as they laze in the garden. Once they burrow deep into their fur and make their way to cosy dark places where they latch on for a blood meal, they stay attached feeding for one to two weeks and drop off once full.

Cat ticks can be a nuisance for your kitty, causing skin irritations and mild infections, however, the main reason we worry about cat ticks, is their ability to transmit nasty diseases. Ticks can spread bacteria, viruses, and even other parasites as they feed, so it is very important to regularly check your cat's coat for hidden ticks.

Around 70% of ticks will be found on your cat’s head and front legs. When performing a tick search, make sure you focus on areas such as the chin, lips, ears, neck, and underarms, but also between their toes, and around the tail.

What happens when a tick bites a cat? Most of the time your favourite feline will only suffer a little skin irritation from a cat tick bite. To feed, ticks burrow their mouthparts and heads into your cat’s skin. This can leave a mark called a tick crater, an area of broken skin that can become red, inflamed, and sometimes very itchy. Some cats can also have an exaggerated immune response that causes excessive itching, hair loss, and more trauma to the skin. If you notice your cat scratching or licking more than usual it is always best to do a thorough tick search. 

Ticks are small creatures and can be very difficult to see before they have fed, especially if your cat has long hair. Run your fingers through their coat and feel for any unusual lumps or bumps. Ticks will be raised against the skin and can feel like skin tags, warts, or moles.

When removing a tick, we want to prevent the tick from discharging any toxins or leaving the head behind which can lead to infection. The easiest way is to use a special tick-removing tool. Place the tool in line with your cat’s skin, slide it under the tick’s legs, then twist. This will encourage the tick to release its bite and allow you to remove the parasite safely.

If you are concerned about removing the tick or are unsure if what you are seeing is actually a cat tick, take your furry friend to see your veterinarian who can put your mind at ease, and help remove any stubborn parasites. Another important step is to grab a flea and tick treatment to kill any smaller ticks you may be unable to see, and prevent further bites.

If you have successfully removed a tick from your cat, you’re then faced with the dilemma of what to do with it! The best course of action is to place the tick in a sealed jar with some rubbing alcohol. This will kill the tick and prevent it from attaching to you or another pet and will allow you to show your vet should your cat become unwell. Vets are trained to identify the type of tick and can help to make your cat feel better. If you don’t your tick as evidence, dispose of the sealed container in the appropriate bin at home, or wrap it in a tissue and flush it down the toilet.

The effect of tick bites on cats can vary. If your cat has a very itchy or large tick crater, they may be at risk of developing an infection. The bacteria that live on your cat’s tongue and nails can be transferred to the bite when they are licking and scratching to relieve itching. Without treatment this type of infection can become serious, leading to swelling, hard lumps, abscessation, and in rare cases, sepsis of the blood. 

Sometimes, cats can go missing for a few days and turn up with many ticks attached. In these instances, cats can suffer from anemia, a lack of red blood cells that can make them weak and lethargic. In addition to local skin issues and anemia, tick bites can also transmit diseases that can make your cat unwell, such as Lyme disease.

We know that ticks can transmit serious infections when they bite. The most important of these infections is called Lyme disease. Which is caused by the Borrelia bacterium and is a serious zoonosis, an infection that can be passed from animal to human, and vice versa.

It’s rare for cats to contract Lyme disease, but it’s worth knowing what to look for, to help protect you and your family. Cats with Lyme disease will often behave with the same signs as a bad infection. They will be lethargic, have a reduced appetite, and may walk with a stiff gait. If caught early, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care, so it is important to see your veterinarian if you suspect your cat is feeling unwell.

A bad tick bite that’s left untreated can become infected. An infected tick crater will appear inflamed, red, and moist, and can be painful. If you notice that your cat has a contaminated bite, it’s best to clean the wound with a pet-friendly antiseptic such as diluted iodine. An Elizabethan collar, otherwise known as a cone, can be used to prevent your cat from continuously licking the site.

Cats with advancing infections may be lethargic, have a reduced appetite, or seem unwell. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian if your cat seems poorly after a tick bite.

Cat ticks are a common parasite that can cause your favourite feline to become ill. Every cat parent should be able to perform a tick search of their cat’s coat to help identify and remove any nasty freeloaders. Tick prevention is always the best way to protect your kitty and here at Jollyes we have all the tools and medications you need to keep your cat happy and healthy.