Feline Tick Prevention

Ticks are common parasites found throughout the United States. They attach themselves to the host and feed on its blood. Generally, ticks cause mild irritation in cats and are relatively harmless. However, they can also carry many diseases affecting both animals and humans. Apart from barring your cat from the outdoors altogether, checking it for ticks daily and applying preventative medicine prescribed by your veterinarian are the best ways to keep ticks away.

Instructions

    • 1

      Avoid letting your cat wander off into the woods in the warmer months of the year, when the population of most tick species are at their peak. Obviously, the more often you allow your cat outside, the greater your cat's chance is of getting ticks.

    • 2

      Check your cat's entire body from the tip of the nose to tail thoroughly every day. Also check between the cat's toes and inside his ears. Ticks are about the size of a pinhead, but you will be able to spot them once they are engrossed with your cat's blood.

    • 3

      Remove any ticks right away with tweezers -- do not just pull them off with your fingers, as parts of the tick may be left embedded in the cat. Wear gloves to prevent the spread of infection.

    • 4

      Consult your veterinarian on new developments in medications for preventing ticks. Your veterinarian might recommend regularly treating your cat with medications such as Frontline Plus Top Spot, Frontline Spray or Proban tablets. Also ask your veterinarian if there are any changes in tick populations in your area.