Get Rid of Ticks on Cats for Good

Ensure your feline friend is healthy and tick-free with regular checks and preventative treatment or effectively kill ticks on cats.

TICKS ON CATS

Did you know that one dose of Bravecto^® Spot-On for Cats can prevent ticks and fleas for 3 months? Application is simple; see how it’s done in the video below!

Meet the Tiny Threat: Types of Ticks

More than 800 tick species make up the tick family. As identifying one tick from another is tough, keep the tick that bit your dog in a jar for the vet inspection if your pup gets sick. Your veterinarian can inspect the specimen and determine whether it was a carrier of a disease.

The many tick species in the world can be divided into two groups, namely hard ticks and soft ticks. Soft ticks have a raisin-like body and favour poultry and bats above larger mammals like dogs and cats. Hard ticks have a hard shield-like cover over their bodies, and unfed, they can look like a flat seed.

TYPES OF TICKS FOUND IN SOUTH AFRICA
TICK SPECIES	IDENTIFICATION	HABITAT	DISEASES
South African Yellow Dog Tick (Haemaphysaliselliptica)	Short mouth area Yellow to orange coloured body Clear segment grooves on their legs Indents on the edge of the body Eyeless	Present in most of South Africa They prefer high rainfall Domestic plots, small-holdings and farms	Babesiosis (Babesia rossi)
Kennel Tick/Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)	Reddish-brown or yellowish smooth body Convex eyes Legs with grooved segments	Nationwide Prefers moist and warm areas but can survive in dry areas (not desert) Found in kennels and houses	Ehrlichiosis Tropical Pancytopaenia
Bont Tick (Amblyommahebraeum)	Medium to large-sized tick Clearly banded legs Long mouthparts Males have a dark brown and yellow colour pattern that resembles tortoiseshell	Requires bush, moisture and warmth to survive Present throughout South Africa, with dominance in coastal regions	Heartwater Tick Bite Fever
Large Coarse Bont-legged Tick (Hyalommarufipes)	Large, dark brown or black body Coarse texture Brightly banded legs with ivory and brown	Present throughout South Africa, except in coastal areas, eastern Free State, Lesotho and Western Cape	R. conorii (humans) Congo Haemorrhagic fever (humans) Can cause lameness in its host
Small Smooth Bont-legged Tick (Hyalommatruncatum) Seldom on cats	Narrow, glossy, and slightly indented dark brown body Brightly banded brown legs	Present throughout South Africa, except in parts of Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal	Can cause lameness in its host Skin necrosis Congo Haemorrhagic fever (humans) R. conorii (humans)
Karoo Paralysis Tick (Ixodes rubicundus)*Seldom found on cats	Reddish-brown body Long mouth area Thin legs tuck in closer to the body	Present in cool areas on hills and mountainous veld in the Karoo, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga	Female ticks can cause paralysis

So, What Do Ticks Look Like? Have a look at these nasty critters below to find out:

5 Signs of Tick Fever in Cats

When you can’t find a tick on your cat but suspect that he’s been bitten, look out for tick fever symptoms. Unfortunately, ticks can transmit several diseases as they act as vectors or carriers of infectious bacteria or viruses that can cause serious illness in cats and humans. These tick-transmitted conditions often affect a cat’s blood cells that lead to obvious symptoms. Here are the basic signs you can look out for:

1. Fever
2. Lethargy
3. Weight loss and lack of appetite
4. Swollen lymph nodes
5. Inflamed joints

If your cat displays any of the signs of infection of a tick-transmitted disease, take him/her to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

How Do Ticks Affect Cats?

Ticks are problematic because they can carry a variety of diseases, some of which are life-threatening. Below are the most common tick-borne conditions and their symptoms. Please note that we have not included Lyme Disease as this is spread by black-legged ticks native to North America.

TICK- BORN CONDITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
Babesiosis AKA Tick Fever or Biliary FeverBabesiosis is a blood-borne disease that breaks down blood cells and causes haemolytic anaemia. The symptoms of tick fever may be slow on the onset, as the destructive parasites damage cells systematically.Symptoms of Tick Fever:Pale gumsDepressionDark coloured urineFeverUnkempt coatSwollen lymph nodesCollapseToxic shock	Feline Infectious Anaemia(Haemobartonellosis)The mycoplasma bacteria of Haemobartonellosis attack a cat’s red blood cells, which can cause anaemia and, in severe cases, death.Symptoms of Feline Infectious Anaemia:LethargyDepressionEnlarged spleenJaundiceAnorexiaWeight lossPale or white gums
EhrlichiosisEhrlichiosis comes from Rickettsia, an organism that enters cells and destroys them from the inside. The rapid cell destruction can become life-threatening if it’s left untreated.Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis:LethargyWeight lossHypersensitivity to light and noiseBreathing difficultyAnaemiaDiarrhoea and vomitingLack of appetitePale mucousEye dischargeEnlarged lymph nodesSwollen joints	Feline PancytopaeniaPancytopenia can affect the bone marrow and destroy blood cells. A cat with pancytopaenia is more susceptible to immune-mediated, infectious and neoplastic conditions.Symptoms of Pancytopenia:Constant feverLethargy and sluggishnessNose bleedsBlood in urineMucosal bleedingRapid breathingIncreased heart rateAbnormal eating behaviour (e.g. eating soil, concrete, litter)Jaundice

Tick Bites on Humans: What Happens If You Get Bitten By a Tick?

All of the aforementioned tick-transmitted diseases can affect humans. However, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever needs special mention as it affects humans specifically and severely. Therefore, it’s crucial to be cautious and avoid infection as CCHF can be fatal.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

CCHF doesn’t affect cats but can have devastating consequences on human hosts, with 30% of all cases proving fatal. There is no vaccine for CCHF infection, but supportive treatment is available.Infection in South Africa is rare, but it does occur as two cases have been confirmed for 2019. That is why prevention is essential in high-risk areas. Wear tick repellent and protective clothing to reduce the risk of infection. If a carrier tick bit a human, symptoms may only occur after an initial incubation period of 3-13 days.Symptoms of CCHF:Sudden feverMuscle aches (myalgia)Neck pain and stiffnessDizziness, disorientation and confusionBackacheHeadacheLight sensitivity (photophobia)Sore eyes and throatNausea, vomiting and diarrhoeaAbdominal painMood swingsSleepinessDepressionExhaustionLiver enlargementRapid heart rateEnlarged lymph nodesSkin rash

Spot Ticks Early – Here’s Where to Look for Ticks on Cats

Ticks that latch onto cats are large enough to spot without a magnifying glass. However, you may need to part the cat’s fur to see them clearly.

Protect your cat from ticks by regularly checking your kitty for these small but sinister arachnids. Inspect your cat daily during your grooming or petting sessions. Did you know that ticks flourish in a humid environment? As a result the following spots on a cat’s body are prime tick real estate:

Want to Know How to Remove a Ticks from Cats? It’s Simple!

There are a couple of myths on what will make a tick back out and let go from its host. However, some of these home remedies can make a tick dig deeper into the skin. Rather stick to trusted removal methods than trying Vaseline suffocation or prodding a tick’s body with a burning match.

Use Special Tweezers to Remove a Tick from a Cat

Using a pair of tweezers is a quick go-to home remedy for many South African citizens. However, if the tick is not removed correctly or the tick’s head is left in the skin of a cat or human, it can cause infection.

Getting rid of ticks is simple. Use a specialised tweezers to pinch the tick’s head as close to the cat’s skin as possible, and twist it slowly and steadily out of the skin. You can purchase a specialised tick removing tweezers from your local vet clinic.

Don’t pull on a tick’s body as this may cause its blood to squeeze back into the cat or dislodge the tick’s head, which makes it difficult to remove the entire tick. Kill the tick by smothering it in an airtight container or by drowning it in a sealed jar filled with alcohol (ticks don’t easily drown in water).

Learn How to Prevent Ticks to Keep Kitty Safe

As some tick-transmitted diseases can lead to dire consequences, it’s best to implement a continuous tick prevention routine. Follow the steps below to ensure your household and cats are tick-free for good.

1. Limit Ticks in and Around Your Home

If you have a lawn, mow the grass regularly and limit weeds in the garden. Ensure the garbage bins are fit with lids and keep rubbish areas clean. Vacuum your carpets often, at least once a week in high-risk areas.

2. Protect Kitty with Anti-Tick Treatment

Instead of wondering what kills ticks, try a preventative treatment such as spot-on treatments, collars, medicated shampoo or tick powder.

A spot-on treatment, like Bravecto^® Spot-On for Cats, protects against ticks (and fleas) for three months. With extended protection, Bravecto^®’s treatment limits the risk of forgetting to administer tick protection.

3. Restrict Your Cat’s Tick Access

Keep cats within the borders of your property, or make sure he or she doesn’t go into woody and bushy areas. If you enjoy travelling with your cat, make sure she is protected with a tick preventative treatment.

Ticks on Cats: Frequently Asked Questions

As some tick-transmitted diseases can lead to dire consequences, it’s best to implement a continuous tick prevention routine. Follow the steps below to ensure your household and cats are tick-free for good.

Are Ticks Dangerous to Cats?

Yes. A tick bite can be harmless, but many tick-transmitted diseases adversely affect a cat’s organs. It’s best to take your pet to the vet if you suspect there is a tick on your cat. To avoid a vet visit, ensure you implement routine tick protection.

Do Ticks Fall Off?

Yes. Once ticks are full, they will let go of their host’s skin and fall off. However, a tick’s feeding process may take several days within which the tick can transmit a disease to your cat.

Can Ticks Get on Indoor Cats?

Yes. Ticks go through multiple life cycles, and as larvae or nymph, they feed on small creatures like rodents. If mice or rats enter your home, your cat and family members are at risk of a tick bite. Catch ticks hiding in carpets and curtains by frequently vacuuming your home.

Check your cat during its daily grooming or petting sessions to find ticks, and add a tick prevention treatment into your cat care routine.

How To Stop Ticks on Cats?

Prevention is the best way to keep ticks from nibbling on your cat. Tick repellent like a collar, shampoo or spot-on treatment applied regularly can keep your cat protected. It’s critical to create a prevention routine such as administering Bravecto^®’s effective Spot-On treatment every three months.

Keeping your home tick-free is the next step. Start with your home’s perimeter. Ticks sit on top of blades of grass. With shorter grass, ticks are less likely to get a grip on your cat. This is why you need to mow lawn regularly and remove tall weeds. Vacuum carpets and curtains indoors to catch ticks hiding within the threads.

You should also check your cat for ticks regularly. Groom your feline with a dense bristle brush daily to ensure their fur coat is healthy and free from tiny bloodsuckers.

How Long Does it Take a Tick to Die?

A tick’s lifecycle depends on its species. Unfed, tick larvae can survive for eight months or more, and adult ticks can live up to 18 months without nutrition. Ticks have various life cycles. The combined lifecycle of a tick can last up to four years. However, some tick species can’t survive 24 hours without food.

Learn more about Bravecto^® products or find a stockist near you and protect your pets today!