Has your cat got a tick they just can't shake? If left untreated, cat ticks could pass on tick-borne diseases – although uncommon in the UK – and even lead to anaemia in some cases. To help you become an expert and protect your feline friend, we caught up with our resident vet about all things ticks on cats.

What are ticks?

We’ve all heard of them, but what actually are ticks? In short, cat ticks are small, spider-like creatures with a round body and 8 legs. Cat ticks feed on cat blood, biting our feline friends by attaching to them with their mouthparts. Once the ticks have had their feed, they drop off and move on – they don’t live on cats on a long-term basis. Although very rare, ticks can transmit Mycoplasma to cats.

What causes ticks on cats?

Cat ticks are mostly commonly picked up in:

• Long grass
• Woodland areas
• Green spaces with lots of wildlife

Do ticks jump?

No, ticks don’t jump. They crawl onto our feline friends as they walk by or brush against a plant the tick is resting on. ‘Do fleas jump?’ and ‘Can fleas fly?’ are also popular questions when it comes to parasite protection. In contrast to ticks, fleas leap – but neither ticks nor fleas can fly.

Can cat ticks be prevented?

Yes. It’s important to apply a tick prevention treatment – such as a Seresto flea and tick collar or spot on – that will kill the tick when it bites your cat. Make sure to pay a visit to your vet when considering how to prevent ticks on cats, as they’ll be able to recommend the best treatment to suit your cat and lifestyle.

How do I know if my cat has ticks?

The best way to know if your cat has ticks is to run your hands through their fur and check all over their body, including in their ears, armpits, and groin. Ticks come in many colours and sizes (depending on their lifestage), from tiny red seeds to large grey blueberries. You may even see their little legs if you look close enough. If a tick has fed and dropped off, they may leave behind some redness. Carrying many ticks for a long period of time can lead cats to become:

• Pale
• Lethargic
• Generally unwell

It’s important to have your cat checked out if you notice these symptoms.

4 vet tips on how to get rid of ticks:

1. The best method for removing ticks on cats is to twist the tick’s body and ‘unscrew’ it from the body.
2. Cat ticks are sometimes tricky to grab, which is where tick removers come in handy.
3. Do not pull or squeeze the tick, as this can cause the head of the tick to remain behind and/or infection.
4. Always check you have removed the head of the tick – if you’re unsure, contact your vet for advice about removing it.

Alike fleas and worms, ticks are parasites – making it a wise idea to swat up on how to get rid of fleas, too. This includes learning how to prevent fleas in the first place as well as how to select the right flea bite treatment. Another parasite to watch out for is worms in cats, such as tapeworm. Our resident vet recommends trying dronspot for cats or other worming tablets.

Our articles are not a replacement for face-to-face vet advice. It’s important to consult with your vet on a regular basis to raise any pet concerns that you may have.