Is this a tick on my cat? Check for more, other cats, and cleaning.

Question

I found this bug near my cat’s whiskers. At first I thought it was a spider, but after pinching it, it died and I looked closer and it doesn’t really look like a spider. Is this a tick? If yes, should I look at the rest of him to check for more or are there typically just one at a time? What about my other cat—should I check him too? Anything I need to do cleaning-wise (as I would with fleas)? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 2 years and 6 months old | 12 lbs

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

This looks like a tick - sometimes just one is present, but you should still check for more to make sure. If your other cats goes outdoors it wouldn't hurt to check for ticks as well. There is no specific cleaning that needs to happen after a tick is found - the skin where it was attached can become inflamed but it should resolve after several days. It sounds like you should also ask your vet about a tick preventative - there are several options and you can see which brand your vet carries or recommends in your area.

Is this a tick on my cat? Check for more, other cats, and cleaning.

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