There are nearly 900 species of ticks throughout the world. Tick bites can be extremely dangerous causing diseases such as Lyme disease, tularemia, and tick paralysis.
Letting your cat roam outdoors is essential to its well-being. You need how to remove a tick from a cat to help keep Fifi safe and healthy. Here are 10 simple ways to remove ticks from your cat.
1. Tweezers or Tick Remover Tool
Before you try to remove the tick, prep the area with rubbing alcohol. You should also protect your fingers with gloves, tissue, or a paper towel.
Take the tweezers or tick remover tool and get the tick’s body as close to your cat’s skin as possible. Be careful not to pinch the skin.
Then start pulling the tick slowly. Hold down firmly but do not squeeze. If you pull too fast, you will decapitate the tick.
Do not squeeze because the tick fluids that carry disease will go into your cat’s body. Flush the tick down the toilet to be sure it’s gone.
Apply alcohol and antibacterial ointment to your cat’s skin. Watch that area for a few days to check for signs of infection.
2. Aromatherapy Oil
There are various aromatherapy oils that ticks do not like such as lemon, cedar, lavender, and basil. To remove the tick, mix any of these three oils with pure almond oil.
Soak these oils on a cloth. Put the cloth on your pet.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your cat’s shampoo. You can also add tea tree oil to a spray bottle and spray your cat directly. Do not put natural tea tree oil undiluted on your pet.
4. Combs
Anytime your cat goes outside, take a comb through your cat’s fur. Doing this will help get ticks before they get into your cat’s skin.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix about 8 ounces of apple cider vinegar with 4 ounces of warm water in a spray bottle. Stir in about half of teaspoon of each salt and baking soda and spray this solution on your cat.
6. Witch Hazel
Instead of alcohol, you can use witch hazel, which is also a natural repellant. Mix witch hazel and lemon eucalyptus at a 10:1 ratio. Put in a spray bottle and spray your cat.
7. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oils contain sulphur, another natural repellent for ticks. Mix two teaspoons of vegetable oil and 10 drops of peppermint oil. Stir in one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
8. Vaseline
Cover your cat’s affected area with Vaseline. This suffocates the ticks. After you apply Vaseline, comb your cat’s fur.
9. Baking Soda
Make a baking soda paste by adding some water to two tablespoons of baking soda. Apply the paste right to the affected area.
10. Liquid Dish Detergent
Put some liquid dish detergent in a bowl. Apply the dish detergent with a cotton ball directly the to the infected area. Don’t use this method if your cat is allergic to different soaps.
How to Remove a Tick from a Cat? Use Preventative Measures, Too!
Sometimes prevention is the easiest way to avoid ticks. For more about repellants, ask your veterinarian or pet store for recommendations. You should also comb and wash your cat regularly when she goes outdoors.
Want to Read More Articles About Your Cat?
Now that you know how to remove a tick from a cat, learn how to give your cats medications properly like flea and tick prevention. You can also find other informative articles such as information on cat food allergies or other reviews on cat products.