How to Get Rid of Ticks & Fleas From Cats

Whether your cat is an outdoor cat or an indoor cat, it is still subject to flea and tick infestation. Fleas and ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of your cat. Not only are they irritating to cats, they are also dangerous. They carry disease and other parasites (such as tapeworms) that also infest your cat. If your cat has a flea and tick problem, act quickly to eliminate the problem and prevent it from becoming worse.

Things You'll Need

  • Flea and tick removal brushes and combs
  • Tweezers
  • Soap
  • Water
  • Dish
  • Flea shampoo
  • Veterinary examination
  • Prescription flea and tick control medication
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Flea and tick control pesticide
  • Vacuum
  • Flea collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Groom your cat with a comb and brush. Pet stores stock specialized combs and brushes for removing fleas and ticks. They grab hold of fleas and ticks and pull them off your pet. Remove the parasites from the tool and dump them into a dish of soapy water to discard after grooming.

    • 2

      Remove stubborn ticks with tweezers. Grasp the tick where it meets your cat's skin firmly and quickly pull the tick out. This may hurt your cat a bit.

    • 3

      Give your cat a flea bath. Use a shampoo specifically designed to remove fleas from cats to ensure the product is safe for your cat. You may need a helper for this step as bathing cats is often a difficult task.

    • 4

      See your veterinarian. Fleas and ticks carry disease and if your cat was infested a veterinarian should examine it to check for disease. Your veterinarian can give you prescription flea and tick medication to prevent the problem reoccurring.

    • 5

      Administer flea and tick control medications as directed by your veterinarian. These medications act as a preventative to keep parasites like fleas and ticks off of your cat. Some of these medications kill fleas and ticks currently on your pet.

    • 6

      Treat your cat's bedding. Wash the bedding in hot, soapy water and run it through the dryer on a hot cycle.

    • 7

      Apply flea and tick control pesticides to your home. These pesticides are made for indoor or outdoor use. Some treat for fleas, some for ticks and some eliminate both. An exterminator will effectively treat your home and yard. Your veterinarian can also recommend a pesticide perfect for your situation.

    • 8

      Vacuum your home frequently. Keep a flea collar in the bag or canister of your vacuum to kill fleas inside the vacuum itself, where fleas can live and reproduce. Empty the canister, or discard the bag, after each use to prevent fleas from re-infesting your home.