Cat and ticks
Finding a tick (or several) on your cat is never much fun. Not only is the tick itself very unpleasant to look at and touch, but the knowledge that ticks can actually pose some risks to the cat is something that5 worries many cat owners. Whether you have a cat that gets ticks frequently, or you have a cat that gets them less frequently, ticks are something that most people want to avoid.
Are you worried about your cat getting sick from a tick bite? In this article, we'll go through everything you should know about ticks as a cat owner - what are the different diseases your cat can get? What is the risk of illness from a bite? What can you do as a cat owner to reduce the risk of tick bites? Join us!
Ticks and the risk of disease from bites
There is no doubt that the tick belongs to the category of one of the most hated little animlas in our nature. Many people would agree! The fact that ticks are so highly regarded is not only because they are unpleasant in themselves, but also largely because they can contribute to various diseases.
Not all ticks carry disease
However, no matter how unpleasant ticks can be, there is one thing that all cat owners should know - the chances of your tick bitten cat actually contracting a particular infection or disease are small.
That's not least because a large proportion of all nature's ticks are contagious. The risk that your
cat gets sick from a tick is quite small as the cat does not actually need to be infected even though the tick is contagious. The infection does not need to be passed on to your cat.
What can I do to prevent and counteract tick bites?
Although the risk of your cat contracting a particular disease from a tick bite is quite small, it is always wise to take preventive action. Below we give you our best tips on how you as a cat owner can prevent and counteract tick bites and their possible risks!
Regular examinations
Examining your cat regularly is always a good idea. Ticks can settle anywhere, but they often settle near the face, on the neck and in the armpits. Make sure you examine the whole cat. Feel and comb thoroughly, preferably several times.
Aids and tick repellents
There are many different products, aids and medicines available today that can help if your cat is frequently affected by ticks. However, always remember to read the packaging; the tick repellent you choose must be for cats. Scalibor tick collar for dogs is an example of such a tick repellent that must not be used for cats, it is very toxic for cats! There are other tick collars you can use that are suitable for cats.
If you accidentally put a collar on your cat that is not for cats, contact a vet immediately.
Removing a tick - how to do it
Has your cat got a tick? Then it should be removed as soon as possible! The longer the tick remains, the greater the risk of the cat becoming infected, which in turn can lead to illness. We know it can be scary to remove the tick, but for your cat's sake you need to bite the bullet and do it.
Luckily, it's recommended that you don't use your bare fingers to remove it. Instead, you should use a tick picker or tweezers to get a good, firm grip. With this, you proceed as follows:
Grasp the tick with your tool. Make sure you get as close to the skin as possible to grab the whole thing.
Pull straight out from the cat's skin.
If there is any residue left, try to remove it.
After removal, the skin may become a little red and irritated, and a small wound may form. However, you will rarely need to treat this as it usually goes away on its own after a few days.
