How to prevent ticks and tick bites on cats
Choosing the right tick treatment for cats can be difficult due to the large variety of prevention products on the market and their varying degrees of safety and efficacy. Ticks are a health concern for both cats and people, so broad-spectrum parasite prevention is recommended for all cats to limit the spread of disease from ticks, adult fleas, and other parasites. This article will discuss:
- How owners can prevent a cat from getting ticks and tick bites
- Why ticks are a health risk to cats and people
- What the best tick-prevention products are for cats
- Why cats need tick protection
It’s important to talk to a veterinary professional before choosing a tick preventative to make sure it’s safe and effective for your cat and the best option for your lifestyle and location. Prevention products come in many forms, including oral medications, topical solutions, and medicated collars. Each has advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risk of side effects, such as stomach upset or skin irritation.
How to prevent your cat from getting ticks
The best way to prevent your cat from getting ticks is to limit exposure. You can limit your cat’s exposure to ticks by:
- Keeping your cat indoors
- Using tick prevention on dogs and other pets that go outdoors
- Cutting back long grass and brush in the yard
- Discouraging wildlife from entering the yard
Indoor cats in households without other pets that go outdoors are unlikely to get ticks. However, it’s possible for ticks to be carried indoors on a person’s clothing. In some cases, ticks can infest a household after being carried inside if conditions are favorable for the population to grow.
It’s recommended that all cats, even indoor cats, use a vet-recommended tick control product. Choosing a safe and effective product can be complicated. It’s best to get veterinary guidance to determine the best tick prevention methods and product for your pet based on your location and lifestyle, as well as the presence of other pets in the home. Many products are broad-spectrum and provide protection from other external parasites, such as cat fleas, ear mites, and heartworms.
Are ticks on cats dangerous?
Tick-borne diseases in cats are rare in North America, as cats are naturally resistant to most tick diseases that are prevalent here, such as:
Most tick bites are harmless. However, even when properly removed, a tick bite usually leaves a crusty, inflamed sore that takes a couple of weeks to heal. It’s also possible for these bites to get infected. In addition, heavy tick infestations can lead to life-threatening anemia from blood loss, especially in small kittens.
Are cat ticks dangerous to humans?
In humans, most tick bites that lead to tick-borne diseases occur outdoors in a tick’s natural habitat, but it’s possible for a cat to carry infected ticks indoors. The tick may fall off or get groomed off, then search for a new host in the home, such as another pet or a human. Dangerous diseases that humans can get from ticks include:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Babesiosis (piroplasmosis)
- Tick paralysis
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in humans. Other tick-borne diseases are rare but can be very dangerous. Where a person lives greatly affects the risk of tick-borne illnesses because ticks are more prevalent in some regions compared to others. Tick prevention for cats helps prevent cats from exposing people and other pets to dangerous diseases. Talk to a doctor if you’re concerned about tick-borne illnesses after being exposed to ticks.
The best tick prevention for cats
“Keeping cats indoors and away from places where ticks naturally live is the most effective protection,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “If your cat only goes out in the yard, don’t underestimate the value of making your yard less inviting to ticks.” You can limit a cat’s exposure to ticks in your yard by:
- Cutting long grass
- Removing brush and leaf litter
- Discouraging wildlife
- Treating the yard
There are a variety of tick prevention products available for cats. Choosing the best product can be challenging because there are many products to choose from and not all are safe or effective. Many tick products, even those labeled safe for cats, can be toxic. Natural tick products have limited data suggesting they work, aren’t backed up by science, and some ingredients may be dangerous for cats.The best choice for your cat is a vet-recommended product suited to their lifestyle, where they live, and their owner’s personal preference.
Never use products meant for dogs, as many of these tick products are highly toxic for cats. Some dog products are dangerous to cats if they come into any kind of contact with them, even if they have not been applied to the cat directly. If you have a dog, talk to a professional to ensure their prevention product is safe to use around your cat.
Topical treatments
Topical or spot-on treatment options are readily available over-the-counter (OTC) and as prescription products. Many topical products also prevent fleas and other parasites. Some OTC topicals labeled for use on cats may not be safe, so always check with a vet before applying any pesticide to your cat.
Disadvantages to topical treatments include an oily residue after application, a strong smell until the treatment dries, and the possibility of skin irritation. In addition, some topical products may not be safe to use in households with small children. Most topical solutions don’t repel ticks but instead kill them within 24 hours of a bite. Tick-borne illnesses do not spread immediately after a tick bite, so killing a tick quickly helps prevent the spread of disease.
You can still expect to find ticks on your cat even with an effective topical tick product, and you should immediately remove any attached ticks you find. Topical medications are typically applied every one to three months between the shoulder blades where your cat can’t groom it off.
Oral medications
Oral medications for ticks usually require a prescription, so confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the product is an advantage. In addition, oral products don’t leave behind the oily residue often seen with topicals and most provide broad-spectrum protection for cats from fleas and other parasites.
However, some cats resist taking oral medications, and there’s a risk of stomach upset for some cats. Oral preventatives usually don’t repel ticks, but they have a quick kill time to prevent disease transmission. You may still find ticks on your cat, even with an effective oral product. It’s recommended that you still check your cat for ticks after potential exposure. Oral tick prevention is usually given monthly.
Tick collars
Tick collars for cats can be convenient for those cats who don’t tolerate other types of medications well. Some collars last for multiple months, and some help prevent cat fleas. However, tick collars must be tight enough to have skin contact and may irritate cats with sensitive skin. They are typically made with hard plastic, which can be uncomfortable and cause hair loss around your cat’s neck. Many tick collars are not safe for cats, even if they’re marketed for cats, so be sure to check with a vet professional before using one. In addition, some tick collars may not be suitable for households with small children, and it’s recommended that anyone who has touched a tick collar wash their hands afterwards.
Do cats need tick prevention?
Ticks are prevalent in temperate and tropical climates worldwide. However, the geographical range of ticks is increasing in size due to climate change. Some areas have larger tick populations than others, and different tick species and tick-borne diseases are more prevalent in certain regions. Tick preventives can help prevent tick-borne illnesses and may reduce the likelihood of your cat bringing ticks indoors. Talk to a veterinarian about your cat’s risk of ticks and which preventative is best for them. Online vets are available 24/7 on the Vetster platform to discuss tick prevention for cats and may be able to offer prescription products.*
- Vets can prescribe medications for your pet if your state or province permits a veterinary–client–patient relationship (VCPR) to be established remotely. Please note that vets are not obligated to write a prescription—this is done at their sole discretion.
Does my indoor cat need tick protection?
Outdoor cats are more likely to have ticks due to a greater risk of exposure. However, broad-spectrum parasite prevention is still recommended for indoor cats. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends that all cats be treated with year-round tick prevention, since safe and effective options are available to protect both pets and people.
FAQ - How to prevent ticks and tick bites on cats
What are the best tick-preventative products for cats?
The best type of parasite control, such as topicals, oral medications, or collars, will vary depending on your cat’s lifestyle and tolerance to medication, and your personal preference. Some over-the-counter products aren’t safe or effective, so get veterinary guidance to avoid putting your cat at risk or wasting money on something that doesn’t work.
Can ticks make cats sick?
Cats are generally resistant to tick-borne diseases but can still contract them. Though uncommon in cats, these diseases can be life-threatening. The risk of tick-borne illnesses varies by region and the prevalent species of tick in your area.
Can tick control products make cats sick?
Tick prevention products formulated for dogs can be highly toxic to cats and cause severe adverse reactions requiring emergency medical care. In addition, some over-the-counter products marketed for cats are not safe to use. Talk to a veterinary professional for recommendations on safe and effective prevention products.
