I think I've just found a tick on my cat

[theredhen]

They're both treated monthly with stronghold.

Just found a grey looking lump on my cats back. It looks like its attached to him.

How do I deal with it?

Do I try and pull it off or treat him with stronghold (a treatment is due this week)? Or just leave well alone?

You need a twisty thing from the vet. You can get them in pet shops too. Leave it in until you can get one.

spray the tick with stronghold or if its a pippette smother the tick in one dose of and wait half an hour then hopefully it should be dead and you can use a flea comb to remove it but you have to twist the comb as you remove it and double check that its head has come away as this can infect if left in

Stronghold DOES NOT kill ticks. The only products that deal with ticks on cats are Frontline - kills then within 48 hours of attachment and Seresto - prevents the ticks from attaching in the first place. If your cat gets ticks you need to use one of these products.

Use a tick twister. Or, if you have long nails, it's pretty easy to get in and pull it off intact.

Use tweezers. Hold the cat still. Get hold of the tick firmly with the tweezers and pull towards you without twisting.

Thanks for the replies.

I took him to the vet and they used the tick removal tool and showed me what to do.

I've bought myself a tool for next time.

Good idea op.

You will never get another one if you have the tools to deal with it.

Yes exactly. Both cats will now be totally immune now I've spent £4 on the tool.

As soon as I lose said tool, cats will become infested.

I am not squeamish, but I have never been able to deal with a tick myself. It's always been an expensive visit to the vets. Ticks are vile.