What to do if your cat gets a tick

Welcome to Friday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

You’re petting your cat when you feel a tiny, little lump—it’s a tick. What do you do now?

Between cat food, litter, and other essentials, owning a cat can be expensive. So, when it comes to add-ons like flea and tick prevention, you may find yourself wondering whether it’s really necessary. Keep reading to learn about the dangers ticks pose to your cat and what to do if your cat gets bitten by one. 
 
First, let’s talk about a handy little tool that makes tick removal easy. 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool.

When you find yourself having to remove a tick from your cat, you don’t want to worry about leaving anything behind. With the Tick Tornado, it’s easy to completely remove ticks of any size without having to touch the tick yourself. 
 
Developed by veterinarians, this creative tool is designed to prevent the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Simply hook the head of the tick with the tool, then gently twist and lift it free from your cat’s skin.

Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support!

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Ask a Vet Anything #2 (About Creepy Crawlies and Your Cat).

In this week’s video, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of just recommending flea and tick prevention products, we’re bringing back an AMA-style video with veterinarian Dr. Sarah Wooten. Watch as Dr. Wooten answers questions from viewers on the subject of creepy crawlies. We’re talking everything from fleas and ticks to ringworm. Yuck! 

Check out the video on our YouTube channel.

Ticks Carry Pathogens That Could Make Your Cat Sick.

If you’re like me, you don’t want to spend a lot of time thinking about blood-sucking insects that could be hitching a ride on your cat. 
 
No one likes to think about ticks—or talk about them—but these little critters pose a very real risk to your cat. They may be small, but they can make your cat seriously ill. Tick-borne disease can start to spread within 24 hours of a bite. 
 
Though there are hundreds of species of ticks in the world, only a handful are of concern to cats. They can carry pathogens that cause Lyme disease, tularemia (also known as rabbit fever), and feline infectious anemia. 
 
Check your cat for ticks regularly—especially if they have any access to the outdoors. Better yet, protect them with a topical flea and tick preventive like a spot-on treatment or collar. 

How To Remove a Tick.

Ticks are very small but, depending on your cat’s coat color, you may be able to spot them before they burrow in. Once a tick latches on, it will become engorged with blood. It will feel like a small lump or bump on the skin.

If the tick hasn’t latched on, you can remove it by hand or with a pair of tweezers. Place it in a bowl of alcohol to kill it before discarding it.

1. Put on gloves—ticks can transmit disease to humans as well as cats.
2. Grab a pair of tweezers or a tick-removal tool.
3. Enlist a second person to gently restrain your cat.
4. Part your cat’s coat around the tick so you can clearly see it.
5. Pinch the tick with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
6. Without squeezing the tick, pull it away from your cat’s skin.
7. Check to make sure you haven’t left the head behind. 

After removing the tick, drown it in alcohol to make sure it can’t find its way back to your cat. Clean the area, apply some cat-safe antibiotic ointment, and give your cat some cuddles.

Keep an eye on the area for a few days and call your vet if any redness or inflammation worsens, or if your cat appears to be sick or in pain.

Lemonade’s Got Your Back (And Your Cat’s).

Flea and tick prevention is absolutely essential. Unfortunately, it can also get pretty expensive. If you’re struggling to stay on top of the various aspects of your cat’s veterinary care, why not simplify? A customizable pet insurance plan from Lemonade might be the solution. 
 
From flea allergy dermatitis to Lyme disease, Lemonade’s pet insurance policies help ensure your cat gets the care they need when they need it.
 
Plans start at just $10 a month and help cover the cost of diagnostics, treatments, and medications related to unexpected illnesses or injuries. With flexible coverage options, you can customize a plan to fit your needs (and your budget). 
 
Want to protect your cat from all angles? Consider adding routine care to your policy. Along with coverage for your cat’s annual wellness visit and vaccinations, these plans can help you cover the cost of monthly flea/tick prevention, parasite testing, and more.

This segment is sponsored by Lemonade.

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A sneak peek at Sunday's Newsletter.

Got fleas? In Sunday’s mailer, we’ll talk about how to handle a flea infestation, both on your cat and in your home.