Keep Tick At Bay With Cat Tick Medication

Cat tick medication is a must for all homes with cats. If you have a pet then surely you must have come across these tiny parasites in your home either on your pets, clothes or other places. Some pet lovers avoid keeping pets since they don't want their home to be invaded by ticks.

Ticks are not insects. They are a class in themselves and belong to Acarina order. They follow a certain life cycle i.e. from an egg to larva which then transforms into a nymph before developing into an adult. The female adult then lays eggs and the cycle continues. After laying eggs, the adult female dies.

How it Harms Your Cat

Ticks feed on warm blooded creatures. They find their prey through their heat sensors and clings on them to feed on their blood.

Since the ticks feed on blood of the animal, it can cause your pet to suffer from anaemia. Additionally, ticks are transmitters of several diseases and this is a matter of prime concern for the pet owner. Some of the species are more dangerous than the others. Diseases such as Cytauxzoon, in which the red and white blood cells get affected is considered fatal; or Ehrlichia or Lyme, all are known to be transmitted through ticks.

To ensure your cat's safety, the sooner you remove ticks, the lesser are the chances of a disease. Cat tick medication will help you achieve that.

Getting Rid Of Ticks

It is very easy for your cat to come in contact with the ticks. There are various other options to counter the problem, in addition to opting for cat tick medication. A multiple approach proves more effective in getting rid of ticks as well as preventing their growth.

Most important, try and avoid environment that harbours ticks. If your cat is infested with ticks then these can be removed by tweezers or any other commercially available tick removal device. Ticks can also be killed by spraying, bathing or powdering, or applying cat tick medication. Natural repellents may also be used like eucalyptus or lavender oil. By diluting them they can be used for tick protection. However, such oils should not be applied directly. They should either be sprayed or applied on the collar that will act as a repellent. Ensure that the cat is not allergic to any of the ingredients in the products you intend to apply.

Administering Medication

It is always advisable that you consult your vet to choose the safest and most effective cat tick medication. Select something that is easy to administer. The dose should be in accordance with your cat's age, weight and size. Moreover, the medicine should be specifically prescribed for cats since dog's tick products can lead to severe toxicity in cats. You may even opt for medicine that helps tackle more than one problem such as fleas or worms.

There are some commonly used cat tick medications such as: Frontline Top Spot kills as well as prevents ticks. Available as a liquid formulation, it is used on monthly basis; Frontline Plus is a waterproof liquid formulation that helps kill as well as prevent ticks; Revolution is a multipurpose medicine that is effective against both fleas and worms.

Do not forget. It is the daily care and personal grooming of your cat that makes a big difference to your cat's well being -- cat tick medication is only a small effort in this direction.