Are you under the impression that only dogs that wander in the woods get ticks? Or do you believe that cats aren't significantly affected by ticks since they remove them while grooming? Unfortunately, these beliefs are untrue. Let's set the record straight and reveal some surprising facts:
Ticks affect pets regardless of their environment
Ticks tend to inhabit the same areas as the animals they feed on, and it's not limited to a specific location. They can be found in urban, suburban, or rural areas with tall grass, brush, or plant material. Ticks don't fall from trees but can climb up to three feet above the ground to wait for a host. Adult ticks climb up grass blades, bushes, or tall weeds and latch onto a person or animal that brushes against them or the plants they're resting on. They feed on their host's blood for several hours or days before dropping off. Immature ticks can be found in leaf litter or layers of decomposing leaves under trees, and they may attach to a host when the debris is disturbed.
Ticks can survive in cold weather
It's a common misconception that ticks can't survive in cold temperatures. Some ticks become dormant during winter, while others hide in leaf litter or indoors. The adult black-legged tick species that transmit Lyme disease start feeding during the first frost. Those adult ticks that don't find hosts during cold weather remain covered under leaf litter or other plant material.
Cats can suffer from ticks despite self-grooming
Cats can and do pick up ticks while grooming, especially if they're outdoor cats that spend time in grassy areas and rest under shrubs. While cats remove many ticks during grooming, their rough tongue can't remove them all. Some ticks produce a glue-like substance that helps them stay attached to their host's body, and they can attach themselves to areas that the cat can't groom, such as their face or ears. Even if a cat successfully removes ticks during grooming, it can contract cytauxzoonosis, a tick-transmitted disease that can be fatal in extreme cases.