How to get rid of fleas and ticks in cats

Learn the tick shape. Although many species of ticks have different characteristics, most species of ticks have oval bodies and small heads. They are usually reddish brown, dark brown, black or gray. Usually ticks are no more than 6 mm in length, some types can be smaller. Note that female ticks can grow significantly to 12 mm in size when fully filled with blood. ^{[15] [16]}

• Unlike fleas, ticks are not insects. They are arachnids, like spiders, so adult ticks have 8 legs. Juveniles or the smallest (larvae) have 6 legs.

Look for signs of ticks in cats. Ticks cannot fly or jump, so they often crawl on the host’s body. When biting a cat, the tick will attach itself to the cat’s skin until it has finished sucking blood. You can’t see the tick’s head while it’s sucking, so it’s hard to tell if you’re seeing the tick or seeing the dark nodules on your cat’s skin. To distinguish, look at the tick’s legs. Ticks also often congregate in warm, closed parts of the body such as between the toenails, in the ears, and under the armpits. However, you can also find them anywhere on a cat’s body. ^{[17] [18]}

• If you’re not sure the tick is a tick, you can put it in a sealed plastic bag and take it to the vet.
• Check your cat thoroughly if she has been outside or in areas where ticks may be present (tall grass, barns, farms, etc.)

Remove ticks properly. If you see an object that looks like a tick in your cat, make sure it’s a tick. Look at the tick’s feet to make sure it’s a tick and not a nodule on your cat’s skin. If it is a tick, put on gloves and use tweezers to hold the tick, as close to the skin as possible. Pull out slowly, taking care not to twist. You need to stop the head of the tick to follow you. Otherwise, the head of the tick can cause infection. Place ticks in a small container of alcohol to kill and preserve ticks if you want to show them to your veterinarian. ^[19]

• You should check your cat daily from head to tail for ticks if there are signs of tick infestation or if your cat has just explored areas where ticks may live (such as tall grasslands).

Talk to your doctor about tick medications. Your doctor will help you choose safe and effective products. You should also buy medication directly from your veterinarian, as some pet store medications can be dangerous for cats. “Topical” topical medications can kill fleas and ticks, but no oral medications can kill ticks. ^[20]

• Let your veterinarian know if you have young children or pregnant women. This is an important factor in determining the safest treatment for both you and your pet.

Choose a topical medication. You may have many options when looking for a topical tick treatment for your cat. There are several monthly routine treatments that should be taken year-round as a preventative measure. Make sure the product you choose is for cats, not dogs. Cats can become seriously ill (and even die) if they are treated with a tick medication intended for dogs. “Topical” treatments are applied directly to the cat’s skin to quickly kill fleas. Some tick medications include: ^[21]

• Fipronil and (S)-methoprene (known as Frontline Plus for Cats): Apply this once a month to kill larvae, eggs, and adult fleas. It also kills ticks and hair lice. ^[22]
• Selamectin (known as Revpution): Apply this once a month to kill adult fleas and eggs. This product can also kill ticks, heartworms, ear mites and scabies. Note that Selamectin is not licensed as a tick treatment product. It is only partially effective at killing some ticks and is ineffective against ixodes ticks, a type of tick that carries lyme disease. ^[23]

Use the correct medication. In general, you need to hold the bottle upright to prevent spillage and open it according to the instructions. The fur markings on the cat’s neck (just below the skull or between the shoulder blades) expose the skin. This way, the cat will not be able to lick the medicine when brushing itself. Turn the bottle upside down and squeeze all the medicine into a spot on the cat’s skin. Make sure the medicine is absorbed into the skin and not just on the hair. Check the pill bottle to make sure it’s empty.

• Always read product labels carefully for correct usage, as each medication may have different uses.

Ask your veterinarian about other options for tick control. Your doctor can recommend other ways to prevent ticks in your cat. A popular choice is the Seresto necklace from manufacturer Bayer. This collar can be used on kittens over 10 weeks and adult cats. Serest collars can kill ticks for up to 8 months. ^[24]

• There are also tick collars with other brands. You should consult your veterinarian to see which type is right for your cat.

Lawns need to be trimmed and kept dry for effective tick control. Ticks grow well in moist, shady places and in tall grass. Mow the lawn regularly to prevent them from spreading into the yard. You should also prune low bushes and remove dead leaves. This eliminates shaded and wet areas in the yard that are favorite places for ticks and fleas. ^[25]

• Making the environment (yard) less suitable for ticks and fleas is crucial to preventing them from attaching to your pet.
• Compost piles should be kept away from homes and outdoor play areas such as sand courts and wooden decks.

Create a barrier against ticks. Ticks do not like to cross paths lined with shavings, coatings or gravel. Spread these materials around your yard to prevent ticks from entering your yard and home. The barrier should be about 1 meter wide. ^[26]

• Do not place wood piles along the house; You should place it outside in the sun instead, as messy wooded areas actually attract mites. ^[27]

Prevent wild animals from entering the yard. Do not allow feral cats, rodents, and deer in the yard. These animals can carry fleas and ticks. Prevent it by keeping bird feeders and piles of wood away from home, installing fences, blocking climbing paths, and planting trees that deer don’t like. ^[28]

• Plants that deter deer include: boxwood, butterfly bush, ginkgo, and jasmine. Consult a seedling garden near you to learn more about plants that can be grown.

Spray insect growth regulator (IGR). These drugs disrupt the life cycle of fleas and prevent their reproduction. IGR is considered safe for humans and pets, but harmful to fish. Use caution near water sources. ^[29]

Spread diatomaceous earth around the yard. This natural product can be used in the garden to kill fleas, ticks or other insects. It has the effect of dehydrating and shredding insects after they eat this powder. Be careful when using. Always wear gloves and purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle around the yard where you see fleas or ticks. ^[30]

• Avoid direct contact with diatomaceous earth by hands, take care not to swallow or inhale. This extremely fine powder is actually very sharp and can cause irritation to the skin or lungs if inhaled. However when used outdoors properly, it will not harm people or pets.

Use insecticide if you see a lot of fleas and ticks in your yard. To find out if there are fleas in your yard, put on white knee-to-foot socks and walk around the yard. If there are fleas, you will find them on your socks. You can call a professional pest control service or consult your veterinarian for less expensive insecticides. For fleas, spray on places where pets often lie (like a kennel or dog’s house), under wooden floors and next to the foundation. To kill ticks, spray on damp and shaded areas of the yard. ^[31]

• If you’ve treated your pet well and protected your yard from ticks and fleas, you may not need to use insecticide in your yard.
• Never use products containing Pyrethroid-, Permethrin-, or Amitraz on cats or in the yard. These products can cause many side effects for cats, even killing cats.

Vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture daily to remove fleas, eggs, and larvae. Don’t forget to vacuum the carpet underneath the furniture. When vacuuming upholstered furniture, be sure to lift the mattresses and vacuum every nook and cranny of the furniture, including the crevices. Then, put the trash bag in the vacuum cleaner into a sealed plastic bag and throw it in the outdoor trash. ^[32]

• Most fleas in your home will be concentrated in the places where your pet lies. Try to thoroughly clean those places. You should also clean any crevices and cracks around cabinets and baseboards every day or two.

Wash house linens and linens. Wash pet bedding and rugs weekly with soap and hot water. You’ll also need to wash your pillowcases, pet bedding, linens, and other household linens. Washing with very hot water can kill flea eggs.

Treat the carpet with an all-natural powder. Choose one of baking soda, borax, or silica gel and sprinkle it over carpets in your home. Rub the powder into the carpet fibers and leave it overnight. The powder will drain the water of fleas living in the carpet. The next day vacuum the carpet and throw the trash bag in the machine into the trash can located outside the house. ^[33]

• Do not allow pets near the carpet while there is powder on the carpet. Only allow them to come into contact with the carpet once the dust has been vacuumed and the powder has been completely removed.

Choose an insecticide. Choose one with an insect growth regulator such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen. Read the label carefully to make sure the product can be used in homes with cats. If unsure, ask your veterinarian before use. Be aware that insecticides cannot kill all stages of a flea’s life cycle, so you may still see fleas for up to 2 weeks after being treated. Continue vacuuming during this time to reduce the number of fleas. ^[34]

• Never use products containing pyrethroid, permethrin, or amitraz. These drugs can be fatal to cats.