Updated: 12/05/25
Ticks are parasites that attach to your cat’s skin and feed on their blood.
They are usually found in grassy or wooded areas where sheep or wildlife like deer live, and are active throughout the year, especially between spring and autumn.
Ticks may pass infections on to cats, and should be removed promptly! You can do this yourself if you are confident in the correct technique, or you can contact your vet practice for help.
If you need any help or are concerned that your cat has a tick or seems unwell, please reach out to your local veterinary practice for further support.
On this page:
- What are ticks?
- Where do ticks come from?
- What are the symptoms of ticks in cats?
- Why are ticks a concern?
- How do I check for ticks?
- What to do if I find a tick on my cat?
- How to remove a tick from my cat?
What are ticks?
Ticks are small, grey-brown parasites that can be seen with the naked eye.
Adults have eight legs (whereas their young, ‘nymphs’, have six) and they are a type of arachnid (distantly related to spiders).
Ticks attach to your cat’s skin and feed on their blood. They can vary in size, from just visible with the naked eye up to about 1cm.
As they feed on your cat’s blood, they expand (a bit like a balloon), and this is often when you are more likely to notice them.
Not only is this unpleasant for your cat (and perhaps you!), but ticks can also carry diseases.
Where do ticks come from?
Ticks tend to be found in grassy or wooded areas grazed by sheep, or where deer and other wildlife live.
They may also be present in your garden if you have lots of wildlife passing through.
Ticks wait on foliage to be picked up in your cat’s coat, and will then find a place on the skin to attach.
They are mostly seen between spring and autumn, but are present all year round.
What are the symptoms of ticks in cats?
Apart from being horrible little critters, ticks cause irritation and may pass infections on to our cats, although this is unusual.
If a tick is attached to your pet, it may appear as a raised brownish-grey lump with surrounding redness and sometimes swelling.
Not all ticks carry diseases, and some geographical areas, such as the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and southern England, are considered higher risk than others.
Why are ticks a concern?
Thankfully, tick-borne diseases are uncommon in cats, but some examples are included below:
Lyme disease
Although very uncommon in cats, this bacterial infection can be transferred by ticks and causes a decreased appetite, low heart rate, low energy, a temperature, swollen lymph nodes, lameness and sore joints.
Although it’s also possible for cats to be infected with Lyme disease without showing obvious symptoms.
Anaplasmosis
This disease is also uncommon and caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks.
In cats this disease may cause a fever, low energy, rapid breathing or swollen joints. Some cats will show no symptoms at all.
If your cat has any signs of ill health or you are concerned, it’s always best to seek advice from your vet.
How do I check for ticks?
It is sensible to regularly check your cat for ticks (especially if they have a long coat).
Ticks can sometimes be mistaken for a small lump or skin tag.
When they attach, they embed tightly, and as they feed, their swollen body is the main thing you can see.
Sometimes the surrounding skin will look pink or a little swollen.
Checking your cat regularly by running your hands through their coat is the best way to check for anything that feels different to normal.
Around the head, ears and feet are common areas that ticks attach to, but you can find them anywhere on your cat.
If you find what you suspect is a tick, but aren’t sure, your local veterinary practice will be happy to look for you and are well practised in tick removal!
What do I do if I find a tick on my cat?
Once noticed, ticks should be removed promptly.
It is possible to remove a tick yourself if you are confident in the correct technique.
If you have not removed a tick before and are unsure what to do, then contact your vet for further support. They will be happy to show you how to remove a tick correctly.
How to remove a tick from a cat:
When removing a tick, you need to avoid:
- Squeezing or distressing the tick (for example, by burning them of smothering them with cream or oil). This may force blood out of the tick and back into your cat, which increases the risk of transferring any infections the tick carries.
- Accidentally leaving the head or mouthparts behind as this can result in local irritation and possible infection.
- Twisting ticks to remove them is safer and more effective than pulling them. It is possible to buy specific tick removal tools to make twisting them off much more straightforward.
General technique for using a tick remover:
- Part the hair around the tick so you can see what you are doing.
- Slowly slide the tick remover under the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Once in position, swiftly swivel the remover in a clockwise direction until the tick detaches.
- Squish the tick in some tissue to ensure it can’t reattach. Hygienically dispose of it before washing your hands.
- Check your cat’s skin where the tick was attached to make sure the tick was fully removed and there are no obvious bits left behind.
How do I protect my cat from ticks?
If you are concerned that you live in an area where your cat is at risk of picking up ticks, it is a good idea to discuss this with your vet.
Some preventative flea treatments will also work against ticks and your vet will be able to advise on the most appropriate product to use, considering your cat’s individual situation.
Do ticks pose a risk to human health?
Unfortunately, humans can catch diseases such as Lyme disease from ticks. Fortunately, only a small number of ticks carry Lyme disease, with areas such as the Scottish Highlands and Southern England posing a higher risk.
The Forestry and Land Scotland website has some helpful advice on how you can check for ticks (see ‘useful links’ below).
Lyme disease can be serious, so if you visit high-risk tick areas or have been bitten by a tick and become unwell with a rash and flu-like symptoms, contact your doctor early for advice.
If you need any help or are concerned that your cat has a tick or seems unwell, please reach out to your local veterinary practice for further support.
Useful links:
- Blue Cross – Ticks on Cats: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/cats-and-ticks
- RSPCA – Ticks on dogs and cats: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/ticks
- The Forestry and Land Scotland website – Checking for Ticks: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/activities/walking/check-for-ticks
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