Cat Tick Treatments
16 productsExplore our range of cat tick treatments, from monthly spot-ons to longer-acting cover that protects against the paralysis tick.[more] Choose a cat spot-on registered against paralysis ticks, like Bravecto or Revolution Plus, and browse the full cat flea, tick and worming range for combined cover.
How much tick cover does your cat need?
How much tick protection your cat needs depends mostly on where you live and whether your cat goes outside. The paralysis tick lives along Australia's east coast, and cats pick it up in gardens and bushland, often while hunting. An outdoor or indoor-outdoor cat in a tick area needs cover that specifically lists paralysis ticks; a strictly indoor cat is lower-risk, though a tick can still come in on a dog. Fewer cat products cover ticks than cover fleas alone, so the label matters here more than usual.
The paralysis tick and cats
The paralysis tick is the one that makes tick cover matter, and cats are not immune to it. Its toxin causes a progressive paralysis, and because cats are secretive when unwell, the early signs are easy to miss until a cat is clearly struggling. A cat does not need to roam far to find one: a tick can be waiting on foliage in a suburban garden. If you live in or visit a tick area, continuous cover through the warmer months, and often year-round on the coast, is the safest approach for a cat that goes outside.
Signs of tick paralysis in cats
Tick paralysis is an emergency, and the signs often appear a few days after a tick attaches, then worsen quickly. In cats, watch for a change in or loss of the meow, wobbly or weak back legs, heavier or noisier breathing, vomiting or retching, and dilated pupils. If you see any of these, or find a tick on a cat that seems unwell, contact your vet or an emergency clinic straight away rather than waiting to see if it passes.
Choosing tick protection for cats
The most important thing is to choose a product whose label specifically lists paralysis ticks, because many flea products do not cover them. From there, pick the format you will keep up with:
- Longer-acting spot-ons like Bravecto give flea and tick cover for up to three months per dose, for fewer applications to remember.
- Monthly all-in-one spot-ons like Revolution Plus cover paralysis ticks alongside fleas and worms in a single monthly dose.
- Mind the gap: some popular flea and worm products, including Advocate, do not cover ticks at all, so do not assume your current product protects against paralysis ticks. Check the label.
How to check your cat for ticks
No tick product is completely reliable, so a hands-on search during tick season still matters for any cat that goes outside. Work your fingers through the coat right down to the skin, paying attention to the head, neck, ears, chin and shoulders, and under a collar if your cat wears one. If you find a tick, or your cat shows any of the signs above, contact your vet straight away. For a full walk-through of checking for and safely removing a tick, read our vets' guide, Ticks on Cats.
Trusted cat tick brands
Australia's leading cat tick products differ mainly in how long each dose lasts and what else they cover:
- Bravecto: a spot-on giving flea and paralysis tick cover for up to three months.
- Revolution Plus: a monthly all-in-one spot-on covering paralysis ticks, fleas, mites and intestinal worms.
- Frontline: a spot-on flea and tick option; check the pack lists paralysis ticks for the cover you need.
Want to learn more?
- Read our vets' full guide, Ticks on Cats, for checking and removal.
- Need flea and worm cover too? See cat flea, tick and worming treatments.
- Support your cat's overall health with our cat health products range.
Frequently Asked Questions
A strictly indoor cat is low-risk and may not need routine tick cover, but any cat that goes outside in a tick area does. Ticks live in gardens and bushland, not just deep bush, so an indoor-outdoor cat on the east coast is exposed, and a tick can even be carried inside on a dog. Ask your vet what suits your cat based on your area and how much time they spend outdoors.
Yes, paralysis tick can be fatal to a cat if it is not treated, which is why it is a genuine emergency. The toxin causes a paralysis that worsens over days and can affect breathing, so prompt veterinary treatment gives the best outcome. Prevention with a product that lists paralysis ticks, plus regular searches, is far safer than relying on catching it early.
Use only a tick product labelled for cats whose pack specifically lists paralysis ticks, such as Bravecto or Revolution Plus for cats. Products made for dogs are not interchangeable and some are dangerous to cats, so always choose a cat-specific treatment and check the label for tick cover. Your vet can confirm the right option for where you live.
Check a cat that goes outside every day during tick season, even when they are on a preventative, because no product is 100 percent reliable. Run your hands through the coat down to the skin, focusing on the head, neck and shoulders where ticks often attach. Daily searching is the safety net that backs up whichever product you use.
Ticks most often attach around a cat's head, neck, ears, chin and shoulders, the parts a cat pushes through foliage first, but they can settle anywhere on the body. Check the whole cat, including under the collar, around the tail and between the toes, not just the usual spots. Running your fingers against the lie of the coat helps you feel a small lump you might not see.
