When you think about the creepy, crawly parasites that can affect your cat, fleas or gastrointestinal worms might first jump to mind. But did you know that ticks are also a risk for cats, even for those that stay indoors? Tick bites don’t only cause skin irritation—they can also spread dangerous diseases. The good news is, you can take a few easy steps to protect your cat against ticks and help keep your cat happy and healthy.

How Could My Cat Get Exposed to a Tick?

Depending on where you live in the United States, it's likely that at least one (and often more) species of ticks are lurking about. Ticks tend to be found in areas where grass meets woodland, typically hiding in the leafy debris around trees and bushes. If your cat spends any time outside, they can pick up a tick when walking in these areas.

However, even if your cat doesn’t go outside, they are still at risk for ticks. Ticks can hitch a ride inside on other pets or even your clothing, putting your cat right in their path. In fact, one study showed that indoor-only cats tested positive for diseases spread by tick bites, revealing that these cats were exposed to ticks despite living indoors.¹

What Time of Year Do I Need to be Worried About Ticks?

Although we might think of ticks as being a nuisance during warmer months, some species of ticks are actually very active during cooler times of the year. For example, the deer tick, which can spread Lyme disease, is active on days when the temperature rises just above freezing.² We can’t predict when the temperature may go above freezing causing ticks to be active, so it’s important to keep your cat on year-round tick prevention.

What Dangers Do Ticks Pose to My Cat?

No one wants to find an attached tick on their pet, but ticks aren’t just a cosmetic issue —they can spread serious diseases like cytauxzoonosis (Bobcat Fever), hemobartonellosis, tularemia, and Lyme disease. These diseases can lead to fever, anemia, decreased appetite, and even death.³

How Can I Protect My Cat From Ticks and Other Parasites?

Because ticks (and other parasites) are a risk all year long, it’s best to keep your cat on a broad-spectrum parasite protection year-round. There are parasite prevention options for your cat that help protect against common parasites like ticks, fleas, heartworm disease, mites, flea tapeworm infections, and gastrointestinal worms. Talk to your veterinarian about the right parasite protection option for your cat. Please also remember to double check that you are using a product that has been approved for use in cats.

What Should I Do If I Find a Tick on My Cat?

Even if your cat is a good groomer, they may not be able to remove a tick by themself. Ticks can be extremely small, making them difficult to spot, but if you know where to look, you might increase your chances of noticing them. Most often, ticks tend to be attached around a cat’s head or tail, so if you’re scanning your cat, these are good areas to check.⁴

If you do happen to find a tick on your cat, you can try to remove it. If you have difficulty removing the tick, make sure to discuss the best course of action with your veterinarian.

Using broad-spectrum parasite prevention that includes tick protection, is your best line of defense against ticks. Work with your veterinarian to choose an appropriate preventative option and keep your cat protected all year long!

This article is not intended to replace discussions with an animal healthcare professional. Discuss medical concerns with your veterinarian.