Spring and warmer months often bring thoughts of outdoor adventures, but for pet owners, it also signals the start of tick season. These tiny parasites, related to spiders, can pose health risks to our beloved cats by transmitting various diseases. While there are hundreds of tick species globally, only a select few are known to carry diseases that commonly affect felines. This guide answers key questions about Cat Ticks, helping you protect your furry companion.
Where Do Cat Ticks Thrive?
Ticks are found across the globe, but they favor warmer, more humid environments. Moisture is crucial for their life cycle, and cold temperatures hinder their development from eggs to larvae. Ideal tick habitats are transition zones between well-kept lawns and natural woodlands. They prefer shady, damp leaf litter under trees and shrubs, which provides a suitable place to lay eggs in the spring. Research indicates that a significant majority of tick nymphs, the stage that often feeds on cats and humans, are found close to the edges of lawns bordering wooded areas. This highlights the importance of being vigilant even in suburban and residential settings.
How Do Cat Ticks Find Cats?
Cat ticks are patient hunters. Most species employ a strategy called “questing.” They wait on vegetation, like grasses and shrubs, with their legs outstretched, ready to latch onto a passing host. Cats are detected through several cues: the carbon dioxide they exhale, their body heat, and the vibrations created by their movement. Ticks cannot jump or fly; they climb onto hosts that brush against the vegetation where they are waiting.
Tick Attachment Time on Cats
The time it takes for a cat tick to attach varies depending on the tick species. Some ticks can attach themselves within just 10 minutes of getting onto a host. Others may take up to two hours to find a suitable spot and begin feeding. This window period offers a chance for pet owners to potentially find and remove ticks before they become firmly attached.
How Long Do Cat Ticks Stay on Cats?
Once a cat tick attaches and begins to feed, it can remain attached for an extended period. The duration depends on the tick species, but some can stay attached for days, or even up to a couple of weeks, while they feed on your cat’s blood. Regular tick checks are crucial to minimize the feeding time and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Lyme Disease in Cats: A Real Threat?
While cats can be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, they are surprisingly resistant to developing the disease itself. Despite evidence of infection and antibody production in cats exposed to B. burgdorferi, documented cases of cats showing clinical signs of Lyme disease are extremely rare. The reasons behind this natural feline resistance to Lyme disease are still being investigated by scientists.
Diseases Cat Ticks Can Transmit to Cats
Although Lyme disease is less of a concern for cats, cat ticks can transmit other diseases that pose significant health risks. Here are some of the more common tick-borne diseases in cats:
- Hemobartonellosis (Feline Infectious Anemia): Characterized by anemia, fever, and jaundice.
- Cytauxzoonosis (Bobcat Fever): A severe disease causing anemia, fever, and jaundice.
- Babesiosis: Can lead to anemia, respiratory distress, and neurological signs.
- Tularemia (Rabbit Fever): Symptoms include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal tenderness, abscesses, and jaundice. (Less commonly diagnosed)
- Ehrlichiosis: May present with ocular discharge, respiratory distress, swollen joints, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and anemia. (Less commonly diagnosed)
Finding and Removing a Cat Tick
If you find a tick on your cat that is not embedded, you can remove it using a flea comb or a similar tool. Always wear protective gloves when handling ticks. After removal, thoroughly inspect your cat for other ticks and check their bedding and resting areas. Dispose of any removed ticks by placing them in a container of rubbing alcohol to ensure they are killed. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
For embedded cat ticks, wear protective gloves and use tweezers or a specialized tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight outward with a steady motion. Avoid twisting or jerking, as this can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. After removal, place the tick in rubbing alcohol and dispose of your gloves. Wash your hands thoroughly. Monitor the tick bite site for any signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, or discharge. If your cat shows any signs of illness like weakness, lethargy, or loss of appetite in the days or weeks following a tick bite, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Best Ways to Protect Your Cat from Cat Ticks
Preventing tick bites is the most effective way to protect your cat from tick-borne diseases. Here are two key strategies:
- Keep Cats Indoors: Limiting your cat’s outdoor access significantly reduces their exposure to ticks.
- Use Feline-Approved Tick Prevention Products: Numerous tick prevention products are available for cats, including spot-on treatments, oral medications, collars, sprays, and shampoos. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best and safest tick prevention product for your cat’s lifestyle and health needs. They can recommend a product that is both effective and safe for feline use.
Last updated 2021
