How to remove ticks from kittens

Most tick bites in kittens are harmless, but it’s important for pet parents to know how to recognize a tick bite and how to remove an attached tick safely. Ticks are treated by safely removing them from the skin surface with tweezers or a tick-removal tool and cleaning the bite with soap and water. If you have a kitten, read on to learn:

• What bites and attached ticks look like on kittens
• How to safely remove ticks from cats
• Why ticks can be dangerous for kittens
• How vets treat ticks infestations, bites, and tick-borne diseases

Complications from tick bites in kittens are uncommon, and tick-borne illnesses in cats are rare. The risk of complications from tick bites is lowered when ticks are removed promptly and safely. A kitten’s risk for ticks varies by region and their lifestyle. Different areas of North America have different species of ticks that carry different infectious diseases.

Ticks attach to the surface of a kitten’s skin and look like small, dark bumps. Size varies depending on species of tick and how long the tick has been feeding. As ticks ingest a blood meal, they become large and engorged. Some ticks are very small and more easily felt than seen, especially if they have not been feeding long. It may be difficult to see ticks on dark skin or on cats with long fur. Tick bites usually look like a scabby sore on the skin even after a tick has been removed correctly. This sore may take a couple of weeks to fully heal.

Ticks can attach anywhere on the body but are often found in locations that cats cannot reach as easily to groom them off. These areas include:

• Around the face, eyes, and ears, including inside the ears
• Between toes
• Under collars

“It’s important for cat owners to double-check that the bump on the skin is a tick instead of a nipple or other small skin growth,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “Remember that even male cats have nipples, and multiple ticks don’t usually attach in symmetrical rows along the abdomen.”

How kittens get ticks

Most ticks are picked up outside in areas with tall grass, brush, and shrubs, where wildlife such as deer frequently visit. Different regions of North America are more likely to have larger tick populations, specific tick species, and tick-borne illnesses. Tick habitats are spreading due to the effects of climate change. Kittens raised outside, in barns, or in areas where ticks are common are most at risk for tick bites. It is possible for an indoor cat to get a tick if one is carried indoors by a person or another animal that goes outdoors and is exposed to ticks.

To remove a tick, grasp the tick with a clean pair of tweezers or a tick-removal tool as close to the skin surface as possible to avoid crushing the tick’s abdomen. Pull straight outward until the skin tents, and wait for the tick to let go. Be careful not to twist or crush the tick during the removal process. If a kitten is particularly squirmy or energetic, it may be beneficial to wrap them in a towel and have someone hold them while you remove the tick. Dispose of the tick by wrapping it tightly with tape, dropping it in rubbing alcohol, or flushing it down the toilet. Closely check your cat for ticks on the rest of their body. When finished, thoroughly wash your hands and the cat’s bite wound with soap and water. Bites often have a dark spot in the center where the tick was attached. This is not the tick’s head; it is a myth that ticks leave their heads behind in a bite. If a tick breaks apart while removing it, it is best not to dig around in the bite for pieces of the tick. This increases the risk of infection. A kitten’s body will naturally push out any remnants. If you need help, you can video chat with a virtual veterinary professional for step-by-step instructions.

Do not use other methods of tick removal such as a lit match, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly, or nail polish remover. These methods may increase the risk of causing more damage. In addition, do not use over-the-counter tick products found in pet shops without a vet’s approval. Many tick treatments are highly toxic to cats, and the wrong dosage can be toxic to kittens. Most tick treatments cannot be used on kittens younger than eight weeks of age.

The vast majority of tick bites on kittens are harmless. However, ticks still need to be promptly removed to avoid complications. Heavy infestations of ticks on kittens can lead to life-threatening anemia from blood loss. Tick bites can also become infected, though this is uncommon. While potentially lethal, tick-borne diseases are very rare in cats in North America.

Tick treatment is fairly straightforward and involves:

• Removing all attached ticks
• Cleaning bite areas with soap and water
• Symptomatic treatments for skin irritation

Antibiotics may be recommended if a tick bite has become infected. If a kitten has anemia from a severe infestation, hospitalization will likely be recommended to receive IV fluids, a blood transfusion, and supportive care. A veterinarian will likely recommend tick prevention for long-term treatment and prevention if the kitten continues to be exposed to ticks. Broad-spectrum parasite prevention can also protect kittens from other external parasites such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ear mites.

Most tick-borne illnesses are caused by bacteria or protozoa that are spread by ticks, and these illnesses are treated with antibiotics. Symptomatic care and hospitalization may be needed depending on the disease. Tick-borne diseases have lengthy incubation periods, typically weeks to months, so symptoms don’t develop right away after a tick bite. Tick bites can also go undetected, so it’s always important to seek veterinary care any time your kitten seems sick.

If you need guidance on safely removing a tick from your kitten, online vets are available 24/7 on the Vetster platform to help.

Can a tick make a kitten sick?

If a kitten gets a lot of ticks, they can consume so much blood that the kitten becomes anemic. Tick-borne disease in cats is rare, but can be life-threatening. Tick bites can sometimes become infected.

How do you remove a tick from a kitten?

Grasp the tick with tweezers or a tick-removal tool close to the skin surface, pull straight outward until the skin tents, and wait for the tick to release. Clean the area with soap and water, and wash your hands thoroughly. It’s a myth that you need to worry about getting the head out, because the head of the tick was never embedded in your kitten’s skin. Ticks insert only their mouthparts, and digging around in a tick bite can increase the risk of infection. Do not use other methods of removal, as they can increase the risk of skin damage.

Should I take my kitten to the vet after finding a tick?

Most tick bites are harmless. A vet visit is likely unnecessary if a kitten has a tick or two and you’re able to  successfully remove them at home. However, if a kitten is severely infested or shows signs of illness, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, pale gums, or signs of infection, it’s best to talk to a veterinarian for help.