Remove an attached tick promptly with a purpose-made tick tool, or ask a veterinary practice to do it. Squeezing the body, pulling with fingers, burning or coating the tick can increase the chance of leaving mouthparts or upsetting the cat.
Confirm what you are looking at
Ticks are attached to the skin rather than loose in the coat. Part the fur in good light and look for legs near the base. Do not confuse a nipple, skin tag, scab or lump with a parasite; a clinic can identify an uncertain finding.
Follow the tool’s technique
PDSA advises sliding a tick-removal tool under the tick close to the skin and rotating as the tool instructions direct. Keep the cat still without force, avoid crushing the tick and never pull at an angle with household tweezers unless a vet has instructed you.
Check the site and the whole cat
Place the removed tick in a sealed container if the vet wants to see it, wash your hands and inspect the skin. Contact the clinic if part appears to remain, the site becomes swollen or painful, or the cat seems unwell. Do not dig into the skin with a needle.
Plan prevention with the vet
Tick risk varies with lifestyle and area. Ask about a cat-specific preventive product and record application dates. The Cashmere Comb can help part a long coat for inspection, but it does not remove or prevent ticks.
Sources and further reading
Guidance checked 13 September 2026.
