Ticks are appearing in ever-growing numbers across North America, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Besides the threat of transmitting Lyme disease to people, they also pose a risk to our pets. Whether your cats live indoors or in outdoor cat houses, they are still vulnerable to tick-borne illness.

How can you protect your cat from ticks?

1) Understand the risks.

When we think about ticks, our first thought is often, “Lyme disease! Oh, no!”

The good news is that Lyme disease “has never been seen in a cat outside of a laboratory setting,” according to the  Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Although cats are often bitten by deer ticks, they are highly unlikely to become ill with Lyme.

However, the bacteria that cause Lyme may be transmitted from cats to either dogs or humans. It’s smart to monitor all your pets closely for signs of infection (as we’ll talk about in a moment).

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In addition, ticks can infect your cat with several other illnesses.

Deer ticks can transmit bacteria that cause anaplasmosis and tularemia. Worse yet, your cat can contract Rocky Mountain spotted fever and cytauxzoonosis (which can be fatal) from dog ticks.

Outdoor cats living in cat houses may easily be infected with ticks. Even if your cat is indoor only, your family dog may carry ticks inside. Or you may accidentally bring in ticks on your clothing.

Be aware of the risks for all your cats, whether living inside or in cat houses for outside cats.

2) Practice preventative hygiene.

First, ask your vet about tick and flea prevention treatments. We recommend monthly treatments to give your cat an extra dose of protection.

Second, check your cat regularly for ticks. Focus on the front of your cat’s body, just beyond her reach. 

Under her collar, behind her ears, and the top of her head are favourite locations for ticks to embed themselves.

3) Learn how to remove ticks safely.

What should you do if you spot a tick on your cat?

Should you call 911 or spray every inch of your outside cat house with Lysol?

DON’T:

Use petroleum jelly or oil to suffocate a tick. This will cause it to release more bacteria-infected saliva into your cat.

Light a match and hold it against the tick. You may set your pet’s fur on fire as well.

DO:

Part the fur away from the sides of the tick.

Use dull tweezers or a tick twister to grab the tick behind the mouth parts.

Slowly pull and twist the tick until it is completely removed.

Drop it into a small jar of alcohol to kill it.

Armed with a thorough knowledge of the risks and a regular tick check routine, you can keep your cat healthy and tick-free.

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