Are Ticks A Threat To Cats?
July 25, 2019
Ticks are such a deadly menace there’s even a conspiracy theory surrounding them that believes the U.S. Military experimented with weaponizing the terrifying arachnids for use in biological warfare. In fact, the Pentagon inspector general is now under orders to investigate the truth of this claim.
Just talking about ticks makes you want to itch and run for cover indoors. Forget about venturing into the woods or frolicking in the meadows. But surely your back garden must be a safe haven for your cats?
Ticks in my garden?
Though ticks are more likely to be found in the forest and tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf piles of abandoned fields and woodlands, your garden could be a potential site for the blighters if your property backs onto a wood or ravine. Ticks often hitch a ride on warm-blooded animals like deer, rabbits, and even birds, as they are attracted to their body heat and the prospect of feasting on their blood. This is often how they find their way into your back garden.
Precaution and thorough examination
Always check your cat for ticks after he or she returns from the great outdoors to the comfort of her domicile. Ticks love to snuggle into the face, neck and especially the ears, but also the feet and legs. So give your cat a thorough going over with a tick comb and have a pair of rubber-tipped tweezers and a bottle of rubbing alcohol ready to dispose of the horrendous creatures once and for all.
Nobody is safe from ticks, so you’ll need the same going over with a fine-toothed comb once you return from hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and even golfing. Long socks and pants, plus long sleeves, a hat and tall collar are all recommended when venturing out into potential tick country. Even when the weather cools down, you still need to be cautious.
Tick stats in Ontario
The good news is that only about 20% of ticks in Canada carry the bacteria that causes lyme disease. And it takes more than just a nibble. In order to successfully infect its host, the tick must bite and latch on for at least 36 to 48 hours.
Though ticks are not yet widespread across Ontario, their numbers are increasing. They typically enter into Canada via the North Eastern States, hitching a ride on a bird, deer, or other animal, ending up quite far away from home. In Ontario, infected ticks and cases of Lyme Disease have been reported in these areas:
- Along the north shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
- Parts of Thousand Islands National Park
- Kingston and surrounding area along the St. Lawrence Valley to the border with Quebec and northeast towards Ottawa
- Northwestern Ontario in the region of Lake of the Woods
- Pinery Park on the shore of Lake Huron
Can't I just use tick medication?
While flea and tick medication promises to take care of any tick attack, studies show it’s not enough to truly protect your cat from Lyme Disease. Precaution and a thorough examination from nose to tail every time your cats return from their wildlife adventure. Better to be safe than sorry.
Photo by: Keri Lee Smith ~ Hippity Hoppity