Worrying about your cat getting ticks is far from great! Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce the chance of tick bites this season. Read more in our post on how to keep your furry friend tick-free after adventures in the woods and tall grass. Want to know everything about cats? Read more in our cat blog !
What are ticks and when does a cat get a tick bite?
Ticks, or wood ticks as many also call them, are a mite in the order Parasitiformes. There are over 900 different species spread across all continents. These parasites suck blood from birds, mice, cats and humans, and can also cross national borders in this way. This creates a great potential for the transmission of a number of diseases. If you have an outdoor cat or an indoor cat that goes outdoors, there is a chance that your furry friend will get ticks.
Are ticks dangerous for cats?
Ticks can be dangerous to cats if they have been attached for more than 24 hours. The risk of getting sick is quite small, but there is a chance that they can transmit disease-causing bacteria and viruses. The most common tick-borne diseases in cats are Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. Less common diseases transmitted via ticks to cats are TBE, babesiosis and hare fever.
What symptoms does a cat get if it has a tick-borne disease?
- Impaired general condition
- Lethargy and unsteadiness
- Poor appetite
- Fever
- Pain and sore joints
- Stiffness
- Limping that comes on (moves between the legs)
- Eczema
- Stomach and intestinal disorders
If the cat has been infected with the tick-borne disease anaplasmosis, it will take up to two weeks before it shows any symptoms. If the cat has been infected with the tick-borne disease borreliosis, it will take up to two to five months before the cat shows any symptoms.
Can ticks jump from cats to humans?
There is a risk that ticks can move from cat to human. Even if the cat has been bitten by a tick, it may not have been able to properly attach itself before it ends up on furniture, bedding and shoes. In this way, you can get the tick that the cat has brought with it via its fur. After a tick has attached itself to the cat, or its chosen host animal and eaten its fill, they usually fall off and burrow into the ground. If they fall off in your garden, they will lay several thousand eggs. These eggs then hatch into larvae, which then turn into nymphs and then adult ticks. Between all these stages, larva - nymph and adult ticks, they can suck blood from humans.
Ways to protect your cat from ticks
Tick protection for cats comes in many different forms. For sprays, tablets and collars, you can contact your veterinarian to get a prescription for a tick repellent. There are preparations that are available over the counter, but it is still a good idea to consult a veterinarian first. This way you can research which tick repellent is best for your cat. Remember to follow the instructions for use carefully on the various tick treatments and never use tick repellent intended for dogs or humans, as it can be toxic to cats.
Tick spray
Tick spray for cats is sprayed on the fur between the shoulder blades. If your cat experiences side effects such as lethargy or tremors, you should wash the product off with cat shampoo and contact your veterinarian.
Tick tablets
There are various tablets for cats against ticks. Those available without a prescription will only reduce the risk of tick infestation, and the effect may vary from animal to animal.
Tick collar
There are several different types of tick collars. Those with natural oils have a repellent effect, while collars with an insecticide will act on the tick's nervous system. If you choose a tick collar for a cat, the cat must wear the collar at all times. However, if the cat experiences side effects, it is easy to remove the collar.
How to check your cat for ticks
Check your cat for ticks, especially during the tick season between March and November (or if the temperature outside is above 4°C). There are many types of tick repellents on the market, but you should still check your cat regularly so that you can catch the tick before it has attached itself. Use a flea comb, or pet your cat thoroughly and check for anything hard that is bulging under its fur. These small parasites are difficult to spot until they have grown to the size of a grain of corn. Ticks hide all over the body, but prefer the areas where the skin on your cat is thinnest, such as behind the ears, neck, groin, armpits and behind the knees.
How to remove ticks from your cat
If you have found a tick on your cat , it is important to have it removed as quickly as possible, as the chance of getting a tick-borne disease increases the longer it has been attached. You can use your fingernails, regular tweezers, or a tick remover for this purpose. Regardless of which tool you use, it is important to grab the tick as close to the cat's skin as possible. To avoid the tick's head remaining attached, you can turn it 360 degrees so that it releases its hold before you pull it out. It is not dangerous if the tick's head remains attached to the cat, but inflammation of the skin may occur, which will appear as a small lump. To avoid this, you can clean the area with a little wound cleanser. Remember to get rid of the tick in a place where it cannot attach to other animals or people, such as in the toilet, on a fire or crush it between kitchen paper.
When should I contact a veterinarian for a tick bite?
You should contact a veterinarian if the tick has been on your cat for a while and the skin around the bite site is red. If you suspect that your cat has contracted a tick-borne disease, it is wise to contact the veterinarian once too often rather than too little. If your cat has contracted a tick-borne disease, this can be treated with antibiotics. If you are in Larvik, you are welcome at our small animal clinic .
