How do cats kill ticks? - briefly
Cats capture ticks with their paws, crush them using their claws, and often kill the parasite instantly before discarding or swallowing it.
How do cats kill ticks? - in detail
Cats eliminate ticks primarily through grooming and direct predation. When a tick attaches to the cat’s skin, the animal’s instinctive grooming reflexes prompt it to use its tongue and teeth to dislodge the parasite. Saliva contains proteolytic enzymes that break down the tick’s cuticle, facilitating removal. The cat’s sharp incisors can crush the tick’s exoskeleton, killing it instantly.
Key mechanisms include:
- Mechanical removal – rapid tongue strokes and bite forces detach and destroy the tick.
- Enzymatic action – oral secretions degrade the tick’s outer layer, weakening its structure.
- Immune response – skin inflammation and localized immune cells attack the parasite after it is exposed.
If a tick remains attached despite grooming, the cat may use its claws to scrape the area, exposing the parasite’s ventral side. This action often results in the tick’s legs being torn, leading to rapid death. After the tick is detached, the cat typically swallows it, and the digestive system neutralizes the organism through gastric acids and enzymes.
Potential complications arise when a tick is not fully removed; the mouthparts can remain embedded, causing secondary infection. Regular inspection of the cat’s fur, especially around the neck, ears, and tail base, reduces the risk of incomplete removal. Preventive measures, such as topical acaricides, complement the cat’s natural defenses by reducing tick attachment rates.