Tick Protection for Cats

Tick bites can transmit serious infections and diseases, like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, to cats. Taking measures to control feline tick exposure, like avoiding dangerous areas and times of year, is important for overall health. Between May and September, tick populations are usually at their highest, though this varies by location. Wooded, bushy and mountainous areas also generally have high tick populations.

  1. Topical Solutions

    • Topical solutions are applied to a small area of the cat's back, usually in between the shoulder blades. This is so the animal cannot groom in that area and ingest the pesticides. Some topicals kill fleas and ticks, while others just kill fleas, so it is important to read labels. Cats cannot be exposed to the chemical permethrin, so choose products that contain pyrethrin or fipronil, advises Pet Education's website. Some pet owners have also reported adverse side effects from over-the-counter flea and tick products.

    Oral Medications

    • Oral medications also are often used to control fleas and ticks. However, not all oral medications control for ticks, so it is important to read product labels. For instance, Frontline Plus protects against fleas and ticks, but Advantage only protects against fleas. The website Vetinfo recommends speaking with a veterinarian before using any oral medication.

    Sprays and Powders

    • Pet Education advises it is important to treat cats with tick sprays in well-ventilated areas--preferably outside--and to avoid soaking the pet. Simply covering all body areas with the spray should be effective; eye and ear regions should be protected and then later treated with a cotton ball wetted with the product. The hissing sound of aerosols may also disturb felines, so Pet Education recommends either using a pump spray or applying the tick spray to a cloth before rubbing the cat with the cloth.

      Tick powders work much like tick sprays for cats, except they should be avoided if the cat or any member of the family has asthma, as the powders can be accidentally inhaled.

    Shampoos

    • Cat shampoos effective against ticks are primarily used to rid the cat of biting ticks, but some products have some residual effect. Pet Education advises to protect the sensitive eye and ear regions, but to thoroughly cover the animal's body in the shampoo, massaging in the product and allowing it to stand for 10 minutes. This can be difficult with cats, so holding the feline by the scruff of the neck and avoiding running water in the tub--instead pouring a pitcher of warm water over the animal at the proper time--may be helpful.

    Tick Collars

    • Tick collars for cats provide only local protection and are best used in conjunction with other products. To work properly, the collar must be put on correctly; two fingers should fit between the collar and the animal's neck and any excess collar must be cut off, according to Pet Education. Some collars are not effective when wet and any collar must be removed if irritation occurs. Likewise, cats cannot be exposed to the chemicals amitraz, permethrin or organophosphates, which are sometimes used on dog collars.