How long does a tick live inside a cat's body? - briefly
A feeding tick typically remains attached to a cat for about five to ten days, occasionally up to two weeks, before it drops off to continue its life cycle. It does not survive inside the host beyond this feeding period.
How long does a tick live inside a cat's body? - in detail
Ticks attach to cats for a limited feeding period that varies with species and life stage. Adult female Ixodes or Rhipicephalus ticks typically remain attached for 5‑7 days while engorging; males may feed intermittently for up to 10 days. Nymphs require 3‑5 days, and larvae need only 2‑3 days before detaching. After detachment, the tick continues its life cycle off the host, undergoing molting or egg‑laying, which can take several weeks depending on environmental conditions.
Key points:
- Feeding duration – 2‑7 days, species‑dependent.
- Survival on the host – limited to the blood‑meal; ticks do not remain dormant inside the cat for months.
- Post‑attachment development – eggs hatch in 1‑2 weeks; larvae become nymphs after another 2‑4 weeks; nymphs mature to adults in 4‑6 weeks under optimal humidity and temperature.
If a tick is not removed, it will die within days after completing its meal, either from starvation or from the host’s immune response. Prompt removal prevents prolonged exposure and reduces the risk of pathogen transmission.