Can Cats Get Lyme Disease? What Outdoor Cat Owners Need to Know

May 31, 2026

If you've found a tick on your cat after a hike or camping trip, Lyme disease is probably the first thing you're worried about. Here's what the science actually says — and what you should do next.

Quick Answer

Cats can be infected by the bacteria that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), but they appear to be significantly more resistant to developing clinical illness than dogs or humans. Documented cases of clinical Lyme disease in cats are rare. That said, ticks that attach to your cat can also attach to you — and protecting your cat from ticks protects your entire household.

Can Cats Get Lyme Disease?

Technically yes — cats can be exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi through tick bites, and studies have found antibodies to the bacteria in cat populations, indicating exposure. However, cats appear to mount an effective immune response that prevents the bacteria from causing the systemic illness seen in dogs and humans.

In practical terms: clinical Lyme disease in cats is rare enough that most veterinarians have never seen a confirmed case. This is genuinely different from dogs, where Lyme disease is a common and serious concern.

The more significant tick-borne risks for cats are:

Cytauxzoonosis — a severe, often fatal tick-borne disease in cats caused by Cytauxzoon felis, transmitted by the lone star tick. Primarily affects cats in the south-central and southeastern US.
Anaplasmosis — caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, transmitted by the same black-legged tick that carries Lyme disease. Can cause fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite in cats.
Haemobartonellosis (Feline Infectious Anemia) — transmitted by ticks and fleas. Causes destruction of red blood cells.
Tick paralysis — caused by a toxin in tick saliva. Can cause progressive paralysis that resolves once the tick is removed.

Tick-Borne Disease Risk by Region

Region	Primary Tick Risk	Main Disease Concern for Cats
Northeast US	Black-legged tick (deer tick)	Anaplasmosis, Lyme exposure
Southeast US	Lone star tick, American dog tick	Cytauxzoonosis (serious)
Midwest US	Black-legged tick, lone star tick	Anaplasmosis, Cytauxzoonosis
West US	Western black-legged tick, Pacific tick	Anaplasmosis

If you hike or camp with your cat in the southeastern or south-central US, Cytauxzoonosis is a more serious concern than Lyme disease. It has a high fatality rate and requires immediate veterinary treatment.

Signs of Tick-Borne Illness in Cats

Even though clinical Lyme disease is rare in cats, other tick-borne illnesses are not. Watch for these signs in the days and weeks after any outdoor adventure in tick habitat:

Fever (lethargy, warm ears, loss of appetite)
Sudden lethargy or weakness
Loss of appetite
Lameness or joint pain
Difficulty breathing
Pale gums (sign of anemia)
Neurological signs — wobbling, weakness in limbs

If your cat shows any of these signs after a tick exposure, contact your vet immediately. Tick-borne illnesses are treatable when caught early and can be fatal when left untreated. This is exactly the kind of emergency that pet insurance covers.

What to Do If You Find a Tick on Your Cat

Remove it immediately. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight out with steady, even pressure — don't twist or jerk.
Don't crush it. Crushing the tick can release bacteria. Don't use petroleum jelly, heat, or other folk remedies — they don't work and can make things worse.
Clean the bite area. Rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Save the tick. Place it in a sealed bag or container. Your vet may want to identify the species.
Monitor your cat. Watch for signs of illness over the following 2–4 weeks. Contact your vet if anything seems off.
Contact your vet. Especially if you're in a high-risk region or if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours.

How to Prevent Tick Exposure in Outdoor Cats

Prevention is dramatically more effective than treatment for tick-borne illness:

✅ Monthly tick prevention. Revolution Plus and Bravecto Plus both cover ticks and are safe for cats. See: Best Flea & Tick Prevention for Outdoor Cats
✅ Check for ticks after every outdoor adventure. Pay special attention to around the ears, between toes, under the collar, around the tail base, and in the groin area.
✅ Harness and leash on trails. Keeping your cat on a harness reduces uncontrolled contact with tick habitat — tall grass, brush, and leaf litter.
✅ Stay on trail. Ticks are most concentrated at the edges of trails where grass and brush meet open areas. Keeping your cat on the trail center reduces exposure.
✅ Keep vaccinations current. See: What Vaccines Does an Outdoor Cat Need?

Do Cats Need a Lyme Vaccine?

No — there is no Lyme disease vaccine approved for cats, and given cats' apparent resistance to clinical illness, one is unlikely to be developed. The focus for cats is tick prevention and monitoring for other tick-borne diseases rather than Lyme-specific protection.

The Human Risk: Why Protecting Your Cat Protects You

Even if your cat is unlikely to develop Lyme disease, ticks that hitch a ride on your cat can transfer to you. A cat that comes inside after a hike can bring ticks into your home that then attach to human family members.

This is one of the most compelling reasons to keep tick prevention current for any cat with outdoor access — it's not just about your cat's health, it's about your household's health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cats get Lyme disease from ticks?
Cats can be exposed to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease through tick bites, but they appear significantly more resistant to developing clinical illness than dogs or humans. Documented cases of clinical Lyme disease in cats are rare. Other tick-borne diseases — particularly anaplasmosis and cytauxzoonosis — are more significant concerns for cats.

What tick-borne diseases are most dangerous for cats?
Cytauxzoonosis is the most serious tick-borne disease for cats, with a high fatality rate. It's primarily a concern in the south-central and southeastern US. Anaplasmosis is also a significant concern for cats in tick-endemic areas.

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit disease?
For Lyme disease in humans and dogs, transmission typically requires 24–48 hours of attachment. For other tick-borne diseases, transmission can occur more quickly. This is why prompt tick removal matters — and why daily tick checks after outdoor adventures are important.

Should I take my cat to the vet after finding a tick?
If you're in a high-risk region, the tick was attached for more than 24 hours, or your cat shows any signs of illness in the following weeks, yes. For a tick found and removed quickly with no signs of illness, monitor your cat closely and contact your vet if anything changes.

Is tick prevention safe for cats?
Veterinary-grade tick prevention products specifically formulated for cats — like Revolution Plus and Bravecto Plus — are safe and effective. Never use dog tick prevention products on cats. Many contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. See: Best Flea & Tick Prevention for Outdoor Cats.

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