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Entry 530Filed under Breeding

How to Remove a Tick From Your Cat and Prevent More

Remove an attached tick with tweezers or a tick tool, pulling steadily from the skin. Then check your cat for more ticks and use only prevention labeled for cats.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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If you find a tick on your cat, remove an attached tick with tweezers or a tick-removal tool, pulling steadily from the skin without twisting or jerking. Then check your cat for other ticks, clean up safely, and watch the bite site and your cat’s health. Use only tick-prevention products labeled for cats; never substitute a dog product.

How to remove an attached tick from a cat

  1. Put on gloves. Part the fur so you can see where the tick meets the skin.
  2. Grip the tick close to the skin. Use tweezers or a tick-removal device and grasp as near as possible to the point where it is attached.
  3. Pull steadily outward. Use even pressure; do not twist, jerk, squeeze, or crush the tick. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises: “Pull upward with steady, even pressure.” FDA tick-removal guidance.
  4. Dispose of the tick safely. Cornell recommends placing it in a container of rubbing alcohol. Avoid handling or crushing it with bare fingers.
  5. Clean up and check your cat. Clean the bite area, remove your gloves, wash your hands, and inspect your cat carefully for other ticks. Check places where your cat has been resting as well.

For a tick that is crawling but not attached, Cornell says a flea comb or similar tool can remove it. Do not apply heat, petroleum jelly, nail polish, or pesticide to try to make a tick detach; the recommended approach for an attached tick is mechanical removal.

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What to do if you cannot remove the tick

If you cannot get a secure grip, the tick is in a difficult-to-reach spot, or your cat will not stay still, contact your veterinarian for help rather than continuing to pull or applying a home remedy. If part of the tick appears to remain, avoid digging into the skin; ask the veterinary clinic how to proceed.

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What to watch for after a tick bite

Check the bite site

Watch for redness, swelling, or discharge where the tick was attached. Contact your veterinarian if the area worsens or concerns you.

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Notice changes in your cat’s health

Call a veterinarian if your cat develops weakness, lethargy, reduced appetite, or other signs of illness in the days or weeks after a bite. Finding a tick does not by itself mean your cat has a tick-borne illness, but a change in your cat’s condition warrants professional advice.

How to prevent ticks on cats

Where feasible, keeping a cat indoors can reduce exposure. If you use a preventive product, choose one whose current label explicitly allows use in cats and fits your cat’s age and weight. Options may include topical, oral, collar, spray, or shampoo products, but the right choice depends on the particular product and cat; discuss it with a veterinarian.

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Check the label for the tick species covered, whether it is approved for prevention or control, how long it lasts, age and weight limits, and any health-history warnings. Do not assume a product covers every tick species or that one product’s directions apply to another. For example, the FDA lists Credelio CAT for treatment and control of black-legged tick infestations for one month in cats and kittens at least six months old and weighing at least two pounds. That indication applies to that product and tick species, not to tick preventives generally. See the FDA’s approved animal-drug labeling information and verify the current product label before use.

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Why dog tick medicine is unsafe to use on a cat

Do not use a dog tick product on a cat unless a veterinarian specifically directs you to a product labeled for cats. FDA advises matching parasite products to the animal’s species, life stage, and weight. Some dog products, including some that contain permethrin, are toxic to cats; the American Veterinary Medical Association’s permethrin brochure describes this risk. Keep dog products away from cats and follow the cat product’s label exactly.

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Discuss product risks and your cat’s health with a vet

Some isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions—including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures—in some cats and dogs. Most animals have not had these reactions, but a veterinarian can help weigh suitability in light of your cat’s health history. See the FDA alert on potential neurologic adverse events.

Ask your veterinarian before choosing a preventive for a kitten, a sick or medicated cat, or a cat that is pregnant or nursing. Product approvals and availability can differ outside the United States, so follow local veterinary guidance and the label for the product sold in your region.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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