Ticks on Dogs and Cats: Removal, Risks and Prevention

By Dr Duncan Houston

Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that can attach to dogs, cats and other mammals. Finding one calls for prompt action, but the health risk depends on the tick species, location and the animal's condition.

Some ticks transmit infections and some produce toxins that cause paralysis. A prevention plan and regular checks work together to reduce risk.

Quick Answer

Remove an attached tick promptly with an appropriate technique and ask your vet about local risks and suitable prevention. Do not assume there is a universal safe number of hours before disease transmission. Weakness, a changed voice, retching or breathing trouble can signal tick paralysis and need emergency care. Never use a dog-only tick treatment on a cat or another species.

What risks do ticks create?

Tick bites may cause local irritation, and heavy infestations can contribute to blood loss. Tick-borne infections vary by region and may cause fever, tiredness, joint discomfort, bleeding abnormalities or other signs.

Paralysis is a separate problem caused by toxin from certain ticks. In eastern Australia, paralysis ticks are a major concern for dogs and cats. Geography and travel history matter when a vet decides which problems to investigate.

What should you do after finding a tick?

Situation	Action	Reason
Attached tick, animal otherwise well	Remove promptly and ask about local follow-up	Risk depends on tick and region
Tick in a paralysis-tick area	Contact a vet promptly, even after removal	Signs can develop or worsen after removal
Weakness, changed voice or retching	Seek emergency veterinary care	Possible toxin effects or another serious illness
Later fever, lethargy or abnormal bleeding	Arrange prompt assessment and mention the tick	Possible infection or other disease
Uncertain lump or difficult attachment site	Ask the veterinary team for help	Avoid injuring skin or removing a normal structure

Removing a tick safely

Keep the pet still without struggling or risking a bite.
Use a suitable tick-removal tool according to its instructions. With fine-tipped tweezers, grasp close to the skin at the attachment point and pull steadily upward.
Avoid squeezing the tick's body, burning it or applying oil, solvents or household chemicals.
Clean the area gently and wash your hands.
Keep the tick in a secure container or take a clear photograph if the vet requests identification.

If the location is delicate, the animal is distressed or you are uncertain, get help. Do not dig aggressively into the skin for a retained fragment; ask the vet about persistent swelling or irritation.

Search the whole animal

Part the coat and feel systematically, including the head, ears, neck, under the collar, armpits, groin, feet and between toes. Finding one tick does not mean it was the only one. In high-risk areas, daily thorough searches are useful even when prevention is being used.

A nipple, skin tag or small lump can resemble a tick. Confirm what you are seeing before trying to remove it.

When is this an emergency?

Seek immediate veterinary help for wobbliness, inability to stand, altered bark or meow, repeated retching, trouble swallowing, collapse or breathing difficulty. Keep the animal calm and minimise exertion. When tick paralysis is suspected, do not offer food, water or oral medicines because swallowing may be unsafe.

RSPCA Australia's tick-paralysis guidance stresses urgent treatment. Removing the tick does not replace assessment, and searching for more ticks should not delay emergency transport.

Diagnosis and treatment

Weakness is not always caused by a tick; spinal disease, other toxins and metabolic problems can look similar. The vet assesses the animal and may use blood tests or other investigations based on signs and exposure.

Tick paralysis can require antitoxin and intensive supportive care. Tick-borne infections need treatment directed at the suspected or confirmed organism. A tick bite alone does not automatically mean every pet needs antibiotics or immediate testing for every disease.

Prevention that fits the animal

The Companion Animal Parasite Council's tick guidance supports ongoing prevention and attention to exposure. Choose products with your vet based on species, age, weight, health, location and travel. Follow the label and do not combine products without advice.

Dog products containing permethrin can poison cats. Other small mammals also need species-specific advice; a dog or cat product should not be repurposed for a rabbit. Reduce overgrown tick habitat where practical and use professional guidance for environmental treatment rather than indiscriminate pesticide spraying.

Common mistakes

Waiting because the tick seems recently attached.
Stopping the search after the first tick.
Assuming prevention makes physical checks unnecessary.
Using a product labelled for a different species.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a guaranteed safe attachment time?

No. Transmission and toxin risks differ, so remove ticks promptly.

Can cats get ticks?

Yes, including potentially dangerous ticks in affected regions.

Will paralysis resolve as soon as the tick is removed?

Not reliably. Some animals deteriorate after removal and need urgent care.

Should I treat my rabbit with my dog's product?

No. Ask a vet for a plan appropriate to the rabbit.

Prompt removal, careful observation and consistent prevention make tick care more manageable. Know which signs mean you should leave for the vet immediately.

For further practical parasite-care explanations, visit ASK A VET™.