How to Keep Ticks Off Cats: What Are Ticks? How to Get Rid of Them?
Cats are prone to ticks as much as dogs are. Ticks are a type of ‘parasitic arthropods’ that feed only on animals that are warm-blooded, including dogs and cats. So if you’re worried about your cat developing a tick infestation, it’s best to know right away how to keep ticks off cats when you can help it.
If you do, however, notice a severe tick infestation, make sure you consult with a licensed vet about the most effective way, for your pet, to prevent or treat a tick infestation. But the following methods are common ways of protecting your cat’s fur and skin with a tick infestation.
How to Keep Ticks Off Cats in Multiple Ways
1. Combing Regularly with A Tick Comb
A tick comb is specifically designed to trap and dislodge ticks from the cat’s fur. A cat’s coat can be quite thick and difficult to comb through especially if your cat has ticks. So a tick comb makes that process easier.
The solution is to use the tick comb at least thrice per week to prevent ticks. Some tick combs come with pharmaceutical chemicals to kill ticks as soon as they come into contact with the teeth of the comb. These special types of tick combs you will find in pet clinics or pet stores.
If you’re looking for a home remedy, along with brushing your cat’s fur, you can apply some petroleum jelly on the comb before using it. Especially if your cat has sensitive and dry skin, the jelly will gently get rid of ticks as the ticks will stick to the comb so that they’re easier to remove.
2. Putting on A Tick Collar
Another foolproof way of preventing and repelling ticks away from your cat is to purchase a tick collar. Make sure the tick collar is not too tight or loose for your cat. It should be of the perfect size.
Also, buy a collar that is easy to remove and put on. Cats can be quite fidgety so it’s best to buy a breakaway tick collar that detaches quickly if the collar gets stuck in something. Or if your cat seems to be agitated and is trying to remove it himself or herself.
If you are taking care of an outdoor cat, a tick collar may not be the best option for you. A tick collar can easily get stuck in fences, trees, branches, etc. Look for other alternatives when treating a tick infestation on an outdoor cat.
Perhaps this next method might help…
3. Bathing Your Cat with Medicated Shampoo
Unlike a dog, cats should not be bathed very regularly. But when it’s a tick infestation you’re dealing with, bathing your cat using a vet-recommended medicated shampoo for ticks once in 14 days (2 weeks) is necessary. This works for preventing ticks in an outdoor cat as well.
The chemicals in a medicated shampoo work on your cat’s skin and fur to keep ticks away. Note: Some cats are quite scared of water. So if your cat is difficult to bathe, this might not be the most healthy and positive option for you.
4. Applying Tick Powder
Just like a medicated shampoo, tick powder can treat fleas and ticks effectively. All you have to do is take some powder in the palm of your hands and apply it along the spin of the cat’s fur.
Note: Never apply the powder directly to the cat’s fur from the bottle. You have to make sure you do not let the powder near the eyes, ears, mouth, nose, or the more sensitive areas. It may cause itching as the tick powder contains chemicals.
Lots of pet parents bathe their cats and then apply the powder to boost the effects. However, this is a great option for you if your cat hates water and is unwilling to take a bath. Make sure you reapply the powder once a week to increase its effectiveness in keeping ticks away.
Also, purchase tick powder that is specifically made for cats. If the powder is for dogs, it may cause a rash or allergy as they contain stronger chemicals.
5. Giving Your Cat Oral Medications
After consulting with a vet, the doctor may prescribe pills to prevent and treat ticks. This is the least favorable method for treating treats or keeping ticks off cats. The reason for that is not many pills exist to prevent or treat tick infestation in cats. For dogs, however, you will find many. But you cannot use the same medication that is prescribed for dogs on cats.
6. Keep Your House & Lawn Clean
This step has nothing to do with treating your cat as much as it has to do with hygiene and cleanliness. One of the causes of tick infestation in pets is if you have ticks and fleas in your backyard. The lawn is the #1 place where parasites live and multiply profusely.
So if you take care of your lawn by using certain yard sprays that are pet friendly or granular treatment, you can make sure that your pet won’t pick up any parasites from outdoors when entering your house.
Visit any local garden center and ask for a pet-friendly treatment for keeping your house tick and flea-free. You can also hire a professional to inspect and treat your home and lawn with the help of commercial sprays.
Final Thoughts
If you do spot a tick infestation on your cat, you will have to remove a few that you can manage to do so by hand, but always keep a container of warm and soapy water at your side. Dump the ticks into this water as you’re removing them. The warm soapy water will kill them right away and then you can flush the water down the toilet in the end.
Never throw the ticks in the dustbin even if you’re certain that they’re dead. It’s better to flush the water down the toilet as that is an effective method of making sure they do not linger in your home or lay eggs.
