Ticks can pose a serious health risk to cats, particularly paralysis ticks. While outdoor cats may be more likely to encounter them, even cats that spend most of their time indoors can still be exposed.
Knowing how to identify a tick, recognise possible symptoms and maintain an effective prevention routine can help you protect your cat. We spoke to Dr Alison Kemp from our VET team to answer some common questions about ticks on cats.
Can cats get ticks?
Yes. Cats can pick up ticks from grass, vegetation and outdoor environments, particularly if they roam through bushland or areas where wildlife is present.
Ticks are arachnids rather than insects, meaning they are related to spiders. Several species found in Australia can attach to cats, although some pose a greater health risk than others.
What types of ticks can affect cats?
Paralysis tick: Ixodes holocyclus
Paralysis ticks are one of the biggest tick-related concerns for cats because they release a neurotoxin while feeding.
They are predominantly found along Australia’s east coast and are commonly associated with grassy areas, bushland and vegetation.
Ticks may be extremely small when they first attach and become larger as they feed.
“The paralysis tick is the one we worry about most since, when it bites, it injects a powerful neurotoxin into the body, which can be fatal to dogs and cats,” says Dr Alison.
Signs of tick paralysis in cats
Signs of paralysis tick toxicity can become serious quickly, so seek veterinary advice if you suspect your cat has been affected.
Possible signs may include:
Weakness or wobbliness
Changes to breathing
Vomiting or gagging
Difficulty walking or jumping
Changes to your cat’s voice or meow
Collapse or paralysis
Symptoms can sometimes resemble other illnesses, so if your cat suddenly appears unwell, contact your vet.
Brown Dog Tick: Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Despite its name, the brown dog tick can occasionally attach to cats.
These reddish-brown ticks prefer warm conditions and can survive and reproduce indoors, particularly in environments where animals live.
They may cause irritation around the attachment site and can carry disease-causing organisms.
If your cat spends time outdoors, make tick checks part of their regular grooming routine so you’re more likely to spot anything unusual early.
Bush Tick: Haemaphysalis longicornis
Bush ticks can also attach to cats and may cause irritation or a localised reaction around the bite site.
They generally become larger and greyer as they feed.
Cattle Tick: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus
Cattle ticks primarily affect cattle but may occasionally attach to other animals.
If you discover an unfamiliar tick on your cat, particularly if your cat appears unwell, speak to your vet for advice.
Did you know? Ticks are very small when they first attach but become larger as they feed and become engorged.
How do ticks affect cats?
The effect a tick has on your cat depends on the species involved.
Some ticks may primarily cause skin irritation around the bite site. Others, particularly paralysis ticks, can cause severe systemic or neurological illness.
Signs that your cat may be unwell can include:
Lethargy
Weakness
Changes in appetite
Pale gums
Difficulty walking
Changes in breathing
Vomiting or gagging
If your cat develops unusual symptoms and there is any possibility of tick exposure, seek veterinary advice.
Always use parasite prevention products specifically labelled for cats, as some treatments made for dogs can be unsafe for feline use.
How to check your cat for ticks
Regularly checking your cat can help you identify ticks before they become engorged or your cat becomes unwell.
Slowly run your fingers over your cat’s entire body, feeling for small lumps or bumps on the skin.
Pay particularly close attention to:
Around and inside the ears
Around the face and neck
Under the collar, if your cat wears one
Under the front legs
Between the toes
Around the groin
Along the tail and rear
Long-haired cats may require particularly careful checks because small ticks can be difficult to see beneath their coat.
If your cat spends time outdoors in a tick-prone area, consider performing a check whenever they return home.
How to remove a tick from a cat
If you find a tick on your cat, it should be removed promptly. Cats can be difficult to keep still during tick removal, so if you are uncomfortable removing it yourself, contact your vet.
If your cat is already showing symptoms of illness, seek veterinary care promptly.
What you need for tick removal
Before attempting to remove a tick, have the following ready:
Gloves
A suitable tick-removal tool or tweezers
A jar or sealed container for the removed tick
Keeping the tick may help your vet identify the species if your cat becomes unwell.
Removing the tick
If possible, ask another person to gently hold your cat while you remove the tick.
Using an appropriate tick-removal tool or tweezers, grasp the tick close to your cat’s skin and carefully remove it according to the directions for the tool you are using.
Avoid squeezing the tick’s body.
If your cat becomes distressed, aggressive or difficult to hold safely, contact your vet rather than continuing to attempt removal.
After tick removal
Place the tick in a sealed container, clean the area and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Continue monitoring your cat closely after the tick has been removed. Removing the tick does not necessarily mean the risk has passed, particularly if your cat has been exposed to a paralysis tick.
Contact your vet if your cat develops weakness, breathing changes, vomiting, difficulty walking or any other unusual symptoms.>
When is tick season for cats?
Ticks can be active throughout the year, although numbers may increase during warmer and more humid periods.
This means tick awareness and prevention shouldn’t stop when the weather cools down.
Cats that spend time outdoors or live in tick-prone regions may benefit from particularly regular checks throughout the year.
How to prevent ticks on cats
Prevention is an important part of protecting your cat from ticks, especially if they have outdoor access.
1. Check your cat regularly
Run your hands over your cat’s body regularly and look closely at areas where ticks commonly attach.
If your cat spends time outdoors, checking them when they return home can help you find ticks sooner.
2. Keep Outdoor Areas Maintained
Keeping grass short and clearing excess leaf litter, plant debris and dense vegetation may help reduce areas where ticks can be encountered.
If possible, limiting your cat’s access to bushland, long grass and other high-risk environments can also reduce exposure.
3. Groom your cat regularly
Regular brushing gives you another opportunity to inspect your cat’s skin and coat for ticks, lumps or other abnormalities.
Pay extra attention to long-haired cats, as ticks can be easier to miss beneath a thick coat.
4. Use cat-specific tick prevention
One of the most important ways to protect your cat is to maintain an appropriate parasite prevention routine that includes tick protection.
Not every parasite treatment is suitable for cats, so always use a product specifically labelled for your cat and follow the instructions carefully.
Regular tick prevention treatments for cats
Tick prevention products for cats may include spot-on treatments and other cat-specific parasite control options.
The most suitable treatment will depend on your cat’s age, weight, lifestyle, location and individual needs.
Speak to your vet or visit your local Petstock to discuss suitable options, and always check that the product you use is specifically intended for cats.
Ticks can pose a significant health risk to cats, but staying consistent with preventative treatment, checking your cat regularly and knowing the warning signs can help you respond quickly if a tick is found.
Help keep your cat protected year-round by exploring Petstock’s range of tick prevention treatments for cats.