Ticks can parasitize cats in multiple ways. Normally, we tend to associate the presence of these parasites with dogs because we suspect that they adhere to their skin during walks. However, we ourselves can carry tick eggs that will develop in our home and bite the animals that live there, including felines. For this reason, deworming our cats even if they don't have access to the outside is so important as a preventive measure.
The main symptoms of ticks in cats are usually intense scratching, bleeding, inflammation of the area, redness, anemia and paralysis. If we identify one, we must check that there are no more in order to extract them all. Eliminating ticks in cats is very important because these parasites are carriers of multiple diseases, many of them serious, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis or tularemia. To do this, we will go to the veterinarian to find out the best antiparasitic product in case of a large infestation or we will use the most recommended home remedies to eliminate ticks in cats, and that we share in this article on our site, if we find a reduced number.
Vinegar, the best repellent against ticks in cats
Eliminating ticks in cats naturally is possible thanks to products such as vinegar. The acetic acid, which is found in the composition of vinegar and provides the sour taste, is a substance that these parasites and fleas hate. For this reason, when coming into contact with the tick, it will most likely try to flee from the animal because it will no longer seem like an optimal host.
There are several remedies to eliminate ticks in cats that you can prepare with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, these being the most effective:
- Mix water and vinegar in equal parts, moisten a clean cloth with the solution and gently massage the cat's skin. Take care that the mixture does not get into the eyes or ears.
- Mix the vinegar with your usual shampoo in equal parts and bathe the cat being careful not to pull the tick off when rubbing that area, since the head could stay inside and cause a serious infection. Just give him a bath and pat him dry with a towel and the parasite will go away on its own.
Almond oil, natural anti-tick for cats
Natural oils are also an excellent alternative to remove ticks in cats with home remedies. Almond oil is one of the best for its properties, since it allows ticks to be repelled and, in turn, promotes the healing of the wound caused by the bite, moisturizes the skin and promotes its regeneration. To enhance these effects, we recommend mix 20 ml of oil with a vitamin E capsule If you can't get this vitamin, you can apply just the oil.
This remedy is highly effective for removing ticks in cats that are housed in areas where the skin is very thin, such as the ears, eyes or between the fingers.
Remove ticks on cats with oil
As with almond oil, olive oil is very effective at removing ticks from cats and dogs. To use it, it is best to moisten a piece of gauze with extra virgin olive oil and pass it over the area where the parasite is, being very careful not to pull it off. Little by little it will detach from the skin until it comes out completely, at which point we must take it to prevent it from itching again.
Olive oil not only acts as an antiparasitic method, it is also a powerful skin regenerator and natural moisturizer. For this reason, by using it we also allow damaged skin to recover more quickly. Likewise, it is good to combat constipation and whet the appetite in convalescent cats. Discover all its benefits in this article: "Benefits of olive oil for cats".
Remove ticks on cats with tweezers
Home remedies to eliminate ticks in cats can also be used to facilitate the removal of the parasite with tweezers. This method is the most effective because we remove the tick ourselves and immediately. With the above techniques we can notice the results almost immediately or not, depending on how resistant the parasite is to the effects of the remedy used. Therefore, we recommend applying any of the remedies mentioned (vinegar, almond or olive oil) on the area where the tick is, wait a minute for it to penetrate and proceed to remove it with tweezers following the steps in this video.
Home remedies for ticks in baby cats
Kittens are even more susceptible to disease and infections because their immune systems are still developing. For this reason, if we detect the presence of parasites in them, we must act quickly and eliminate them from their body. Especially if they are newborns, the antiparasitic products sold in clinics and specialized stores are not recommended due to their toxicity, which is why it is advisable to use products designed exclusively for baby cats or natural remedies with an antiparasitic effect. Focusing on the latter, the most recommended remedy to remove ticks in small cats is chamomile
Chamomile has important anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic and healing properties. Therefore, in addition to favoring the extraction of the tick, it allows the skin to regenerate much better. Also, it is not toxic to cats. To use this remedy, the best thing to do is to prepare an infusion of natural chamomile, let it warm up, moisten a gauze pad in it and rub the affected area. If the tick doesn't come out on its own, you'll need to remove it with the tweezers (it will come out much better with chamomile than without). Chamomile infusion is also a good remedy to clean the eyes of a kitten that has conjunctivitis, something very common in cats rescued from the street.
Another remedy to eliminate ticks in baby cats is vinegar and olive oil. You can apply them following the same instructions but guaranteeing that they do not penetrate the eyes or the ear canal of the child.
Preventing ticks in cats, the most effective remedy
Once you have removed all the ticks from your cat, we advise you to brush the entire coat with a flea comb, characterized by very fine, close-set bristles. This will allow the extraction of any eggs that may be present and even larval stages in order to prevent their growth. Although ticks tend to lay their eggs in the environment, there is always the possibility that some have remained on the animal's body.
After the above, you must carry out a series of preventive methods to ensure that your non-cat does not suffer a tick bite again. As always, prevention is the best treatment and all the home remedies mentioned also act as preventive In this way, when your cat needs a bath you can apply the method of the vinegar. Likewise, from time to time you can massage your cat's body with almond or olive oil. In the same way, you can season your food with a splash of olive oil, since ingested it also provides great benefits.
Of course, visiting the vet to establish a deworming schedule is highly recommended.
