Ticks on cat

Question
Hi Jana,

I am writing this about my sister's cat. She has a short-haired domestic 2 year old cat this is a strictly indoor cat, but yet when she took her to the vet they found a tick on her. Now again my sister found a tick and got some medicine from the vet. My sister has to leave it on for 30 min. and can't let the cat lick it or she will get poisoned.
My question is, how is this cat getting ticks on her when she is always indoors and the family doesn't spend much time outside doing yard work. Could it be from my sister's husband hunting or my nephew hanging around in the woods (which he MAY be doing). If so, wouldn't the ticks stay on them instead of being on the cat?

Thanks for any insight you can share on this. My sister wants to get to the root of who is causing this. Thank you.
Leslie Mills

Answer
Here is your answer- right in your question:
"Could it be from my sister's husband hunting or my nephew hanging around in the woods (which he MAY be doing). If so, wouldn't the ticks stay on them instead of being on the cat?"

Yes, the husband out hunting is bringing in the ticks. Could be the nephew as well. Ticks can also come in on anyone's pants, socks, shoes, etc.
They wait in bushes and will fall off onto the first warm-blooded creature they sense. They don't stay on the people because they prefer the pets. Ticks are not always so picky but given the chance, they will head for the pet.

I am guessing that they gave her some Advantage plus which kills ticks for a month. It should work pretty well.

Your brother-in-law needs to check himself all over for a hidden tick or two. If not, he could end up with Lyme's or something else from these ticks. So does the nephew.

Ticks are 'host specific' which is why they prefer the cat.
Maybe when hunting season is over the tick problem will also be over.