Cat bringing live ticks into the house

D
D3ede Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

A few months ago, I adopted two cats (both under a year old) from a local rescue, and they are absolutely lovely.

Unfortunately, one of them brings live ticks back into the house every single day. We live on the edge of some woods, and it’s highly likely he’s picking them up there.

I recently treated him again with a flea and tick spot-on treatment recommended by the vet. Sadly, this treatment only works once the tick actually bites, but these ticks aren't biting the cat—they're just using him as a way to get inside and then hopping off once they're in the house.

I check the cats every time they come home (I’ve even given up on the idea of a cat flap so I can inspect them first...), but with summer approaching, it’s becoming more and more difficult (windows being left open, cats running past and not wanting to be checked...).

I’ve even started finding ticks on the armchairs...

As I have two young children, I can’t afford to have the house infested with ticks, and I don’t want to use collars with harsh chemicals that the kids might come into contact with when they're stroking the cats.

I also don't want to risk my family's health with live ticks in the house and the risk of diseases from bites...

I must admit, I'm starting to feel quite desperate.

The only solutions I have left are either making the cats live in the garage... or alternatively, keeping them strictly indoors, which will be hard during the summer heatwaves... or, in the worst-case scenario, taking them back to the rescue.

Have any of you had similar issues? Do you have any ideas or better solutions?

Thanks in advance for any advice or help you can give.

Translated from French
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6 answers
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    Delphineba Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello, Have you found a solution for your cats yet? We’re having the same issue with our cat. Every day we’re pulling one or two ticks off her when she comes back inside, and we’ve even been finding them on the armchairs. We’ve decided as of today to stop letting her into the house. We have a garage with a cat flap, and that’s where her food is kept now. My kids are finding it really hard to accept that she isn’t allowed in anymore; they’re worried she’ll leave us and find a new home! I think spring is when the ticks are at their worst. Hopefully things will be better by the summer…
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    You’re right, ticks really are a nightmare, and we’re seeing more and more of them throughout the year all over the UK, largely due to climate change.

    Since you have young children, I would indeed recommend treating your cats with oral parasite tablets. They’re very effective, but it’s true that the ticks only ingest the active ingredient once they’ve actually bitten the cat. However, it’s vital to protect your cats as they’re exposed to ticks every day, and some will bite without you even noticing...

    To protect your family and your home, you could try natural products (diatomaceous earth, repellent tags, repellent plants, etc.) which act as deterrents, though their effectiveness can vary. The other preventive option is using insecticides, but I understand that’s not possible in your situation.

    Also, always keep a tick hook handy; it’s the only way to ensure you remove the whole tick (and remember not to put any products on the tick itself beforehand).

    Hope this helps.

    Best of luck,

    Romain

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    Lewina
    Lewina Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, maybe try a flea collar during the peak tick season and make sure the kids wash their hands after stroking them, and teach them to avoid touching the collar itself? Kids are probably easier to keep an eye on than cats! 😁

    Alternatively, to keep the cats out of the house while leaving the windows open, you could always install some fly screens!

    Translated from French
    D
    D3ede Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for the replies.

    I realise there’s no perfect solution.

    We’re keeping them outside as much as possible at the moment, but it means the house is absolutely boiling and it’s becoming unbearable... and summer hasn't even properly started yet.

    I’ll also look into the natural remedies suggested, but I’m quite sceptical. We’ve been trying to keep them out of the bedrooms using essential oils and white vinegar, but they couldn't care less....

    I’m going to ask the vet again to see if they have any other ideas.

    But unfortunately, I’m just not sure if we’re going to be able to keep them... I feel so guilty for getting them in the end: we’d thought of everything except the ticks they’d bring home. It’s so depressing...

    Translated from French
    Supreheme
    Supreheme Icon representing the flag French
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    My cat couldn't handle chemical flea and tick treatments, so I used a combination of a natural flea and tick collar (some sort of powder-based mix, I can't remember the name) and essential oils. I also used a spot-on treatment from the same range every month. I bought the lot at the supermarket and never had any more trouble—no skin reactions for my cat and it’s safe for humans (I'm asthmatic and I’ve never had any issues). Here are the details: Beaphar Brown Flea & Tick Collar for Cats Margosa extract flea spot-on (supermarket-own brand)
    Translated from French
    Docline
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    Yes, it's an infection.

    I suppose we can blame the disappearance of some kind of predatory bird, as I'm currently living in the same place as my ancestors—there's a conservation area right on my doorstep—and yet when I was a girl, nobody had even heard of ticks (despite all the animals roaming about everywhere).

    The other day I felt a little itch behind my ear—a tick! (Which the gentleman who was mowing the meadow removed straight away, phew); last year my neighbour had a right nightmare after a tick bite on her stomach.

    For an adult, apparently tea tree oil (mixed with a bit of carrier oil, naturally) works quite well as a preventative measure, but you mustn't use essential oils on the skin of young children.

    Maybe the best thing would be to keep the cats outside during the whole tick season?

    Translated from French

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