What does a tick look like on a cat's body? - briefly
A tick looks like a tiny, oval or round brownish lump attached to the cat’s skin, commonly found on the head, neck, or between the toes. After feeding, the body swells, darkens, and becomes dome‑shaped, with its legs visible around the perimeter.
What does a tick look like on a cat's body? - in detail
Ticks attached to felines appear as small, oval or round bodies that flatten against the skin. The dorsal surface is usually brown, gray, or reddish, depending on species and feeding stage. In the early, unfed phase (larva), the parasite measures about 1 mm in length and is barely visible. Nymphs grow to 2–3 mm, while adult females can reach 5–10 mm before swelling with blood. Males remain smaller, typically 3–5 mm.
The ventral side shows the mouthparts, which include a pair of barbed chelicerae that anchor the tick to the cat’s tissue. These structures are not easily seen unless the animal’s fur is lifted. As the tick feeds, its abdomen expands, creating a balloon‑like shape that may change the color to a darker, bluish‑gray hue.
Typical attachment sites include the head, ears, neck, between the shoulder blades, and the base of the tail—areas where fur is thin and the skin is accessible. The parasite may be partially hidden by hair, so careful parting of the coat is necessary for detection.
Key visual cues for identification:
- Size: 1 mm (larva) → 10 mm (engorged female)
- Shape: Rounded, slightly flattened when unfed; dome‑shaped when engorged
- Color: Light brown to reddish in early stages; darkening as blood fills the body
- Location: Head, ears, neck, dorsal midline, tail base
- Mouthparts: Visible as a small protrusion at the rear when the tick is lifted
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt removal and reduces the risk of disease transmission.