Cats and ticks

Twig

I have always used Stronghold on our cat, but since he decided that he didn't want to be an indoor cat anymore he has been arriving home with ticks on him.

I had a look at the Stronghold box and it doesn't say that it works on ticks. I googled it and as far as I can tell Frontline is the best for ticks but when I did a couple of searches on MSE it looks like Frontline doesn't seem to work too well .

So now I'm not sure what to do ! Anyone have any ideas????

Thanks

Gloomendoom

Mine used to get sheep ticks in the summer. I asked the vet for advice and he recommended Frontline Combo.

It seemed to work.

I even considered using it on myself!

Edit: I also had one of the those tick remover kits. They work on humans and animals. Not as good as prevention though.

vl2588

Frontline spray is the best product for ticks. The spot-on is licensed against ticks but some people seem to report still getting them. If you use this and it doesn't work then try the spray, which you can apply directly to the tick if necessary!

Twig

Thank you - I'll have a look at both of them

Thanks

Waterfalls

alot of products will kill ticks only when they have latched on and had there first blood meal. not many products repel the ticks. (the only one i can think of at the moment it advantix, but this is made only for dogs.)
also bare in mind some treatments, eg frontline. take a couple of days before the die and may need removing if they dont fall off.
And, there ability to kill ticks isnt for as long as they can kill fleas, so may need reappying sooner (depends on which product u are using)

Froglet

Anything you put on a tick that causes it stress will make it regurgitate it's stomach contents(yes i know,not a nice thought !) so the best way is to use this

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xb4svr_tick-removal-with-otom-tick-twister_lifestyle

It takes them off quickly and in one movement,so you can then destroy them.I got great satisfaction removing over 50 from a poor little hedgehog once and stamping on them!

tankgirl1

The Tom O'Hook thick remover things are fantastic! Use them all the time at work.

Although frontline combo is supposed to stop ticks, as waterfalls said, they have to bite, and the only tick product - advantix - is only for dogs. Please do not consider trying to use it on your cats btw, as it contains stuff which can make them v poorly, and even kill them.

Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that frontline combo is not that brilliant for ticks, so I would recommend a strong stomach, daily checks, and a tom o'hook remover

Twig

I got some Frontline combo from the vets this morning to give it a try.

The cat has been checked, Frontlined and is now confined to the house for 48 hours till the stuff starts working

I did wonder if the Frontline would only work if they bite the cat - the problem we have is that he is bringing them in the house on his fur and they are sooo small that they are not always easy to spot. I've got some great stuff for our dogs - all we find are tiny dead ticks on their fur - but a bit too strong for the cat I recon.

Thanks for all the replies

eamon

You need to get into the habit of frisking your cat everytime he returns from outside. Whilst the drugs will largely work do you really want to be doping your cat on a regular basis?
Go on make a fuss of your cat and have a good feel.