Ticks represent a risk that should not be underestimated for cats that are outside in the warm months of the year. They lurk in bushes or on trees for a potential host whose blood they can feed on. The bite of the tick itself is usually hardly noticeable and the amount of blood that the parasite ingests during its meal is not worth mentioning. However, this does not mean that ticks are harmless to cats. Because they can infect their bite victims with dangerous pathogens.
In the following we explain what these are and how you can protect your cat from ticks.
Key facts at a glance
- Depending on the weather, ticks are mainly active from March to October.
- Cats can be infected by ticks with a number of dangerous diseases.
- Released cats should be searched on their return and any ticks removed.
- For effective protection, the use of a suitable tick repellent is recommended.
Why ticks are so dangerous for cats
Ticks are mites. They are distributed practically worldwide. In total there are more than 900 different species of ticks. In Germany, the alluvial forest tick and the common wood tick are the most common. Due to the rising temperatures, some ticks, which are actually native to southern countries, seem to have settled here in recent years.
Ticks are so-called ectoparasites. Once they have infested a suitable host, such as a cat, they pierce the skin and feed on their victim’s blood. Such a blood meal can last a few hours or even several days. The saturated tick then falls off the cat’s body on its own.
Considering a body size of a few millimeters, it probably goes without saying that the small amount of blood that a tick ingests during its meal is not a problem even for young cats.
However, the small parasites are still very dangerous. Because they can carry a number of pathogens and infect their host with them when sucking blood.
Ticks can infect cats with these diseases
Cats are generally considered to be less susceptible to infection from tick diseases than dogs. However, they are also at risk. It is not uncommon for cats to contract Lyme disease.
The bacterial infectious disease is caused by Borrelia and is initially only noticeable through reddening of the skin in the area of the tick bite. Symptoms such as lameness, fever and loss of appetite may appear after a few weeks.
Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause joint damage in cats and can even affect the central nervous system. However, if diagnosed early enough, it can usually be treated fairly well with antibiotics.
Other diseases cats can get from ticks include babesiosis and anaplasmosis. In an infection with babesiosis, the red blood cells are destroyed, which is noticeable, among other things, by loss of appetite, weight loss and fever.
The anaplasma responsible for developing anaplasmosis, on the other hand, attack the white blood cells, which, in addition to fever and weight loss, also results in lethargy and joint pain, among other things.
How to properly remove ticks from cats
In order to avoid infection with the diseases mentioned, reliable protection against ticks is very important for cats that are allowed outside. It is therefore advisable to always check your four-legged friends thoroughly for any ticks that may be present and to remove them immediately when they return.
Basically, it is advisable to search the entire body. Since cats very often bite or scrape off ticks themselves, the probability of finding a tick in hard-to-reach places such as on the ears, chin, neck or chest is particularly high.
If you have found a tick on your cat, you must never remove it with your fingers. Because doing so would only crush the parasite and thus accelerate the transmission of existing pathogens.
Instead, use special tick tweezers or tweezers to carefully pull the tick out of the skin. Make sure that the bloodsucker’s head does not get stuck, as this can further introduce pathogens into your cat’s body.
Why a tick repellent for cats makes sense
It is not uncommon for release cats to be away for several days before coming home. This gives ticks enough time for their blood meal and the risk of transmitting pathogens is correspondingly high.
It is therefore usually not enough if you only limit yourself to the subsequent removal of ticks when protecting your cat. You should also use a suitable tick repellent, especially in risk areas.
So-called spot-ons are primarily suitable for this purpose for cats that are allowed to roam freely. These are tick repellents that are dripped onto the neck of the four-legged friend and the effect of which usually lasts for several weeks.
Natural alternatives against ticks in cats
In addition to chemical preparations, various sprays are also available as a natural alternative for tick protection. These usually contain various oils with a high lauric acid content. The smell of this medium-chain fatty acid has been shown to repel ticks.
However, cats are known to clean themselves extensively. Natural remedies that are sprayed into the fur are therefore only suitable to a limited extent to protect your cat from ticks and the diseases they transmit