If your cat is an outdoor pet, you need to make sure that they are safe from ticks.
Ticks are blood-sucking arachnids that look for host animals to feed upon. They have very limited mobility, which results in their lack of access to food. Ticks must seek out food sources by climbing up above the ground and waiting for a host to pass by.
Ticks usually can be found in the spring and fall months. They prefer to remain underground in the summer and winter.
When a cat is outdoors in the tall grass or bushes, it can become a host for ticks. Ticks carry a variety of diseases so making sure your cat is safe from ticks is important for its health.
Ticks can carry a disease called rabbit fever that can affect cats. Rabbit fever can cause high fevers and rashes, as well as enlarged lymph nodes. Another dangerous disease is feline infectious anemia. Fleas or ticks can transmit this. This disease can cause mild anemia. It can also manifest itself more severely and cause fast heart and respiratory rates and even death.
If you find a tick on your pet, remove it carefully and completely. Removing a tick can be done easily. Take a pair of small-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick firmly. Pull directly away from your cat's skin and try to get the complete tick. Even if the mouthparts do get left behind, the tick can no longer transmit disease. Wash the area with soap and water.
If your cat shows any signs of disease from a tick bite, seek the help of your veterinarian. Save the tick you remove from your pet for identification. Keep the tick wrapped in a moist paper towel to prevent dehydration.