Ticks on Dogs | Prevention and Treatment

Ticks may be small, but their impact on our pets can be significant. From where they lurk to how they affect dogs, understanding these tiny parasites is crucial for responsible pup parents.

How Do Dogs Get Ticks?

Dogs usually pick up ticks while exploring outdoor environments, including parks, wooded areas, and even their own garden.

Ticks don't jump or fly; instead, they practice a behavior called "questing." They wait at the tips of long grass, bushes, and other vegetation, holding onto the plant with their back legs and reaching out with their front legs. When a dog brushes past, the tick hitches a ride, attaches to the skin, and begins to feed on the dog's blood.

Additionally, dogs can encounter ticks through close contact with other infested animals, such as wildlife or other dogs. This is why it is incredibly important to be vigilant and regularly check your furry companions, especially after outdoor adventures.

Are Ticks Dangerous to Dogs?

Yes, ticks can be highly dangerous. The primary threat isn't the small amount of blood they drink, but the serious pathogens they carry. Ticks are notorious for transmitting a variety of nasty illnesses, including:

• Lyme disease

• Babesiosis

• Ehrlichiosis

• Anaplasmosis

These diseases can cause a range of symptoms in dogs, including fever, lethargy, lameness, joint swelling, and in severe cases, organ damage or failure. If left untreated, tick-borne diseases can lead to serious chronic health complications and can even be fatal.

To protect your pet, take proactive prevention measures and promptly remove any ticks you find to drastically reduce the risk of transmission.

What Do Ticks Look Like on Dogs?

Ticks come in various shapes, sizes, and colors depending on their species and life stage.

• Unfed ticks: Can be as tiny as a poppy seed or a sesame seed, making them incredibly difficult to spot by sight alone.

• Engorged ticks: Once they have been feeding for a few days, their bodies swell up and can grow to the size of a small grape, often taking on a greyish-white or bluish color.

These parasites have round or oval bodies and lock themselves into your dog's skin using specialized, barbed mouthparts.

Where Do Ticks Hide on Dogs?

Ticks are expert hiders. They prefer to burrow into warm, cozy, and thin-skinned areas of your dog's body where they can feed undisturbed. When doing a post-walk inspection, pay extra attention to these common hiding spots:

• In and around the ears (especially inside the ear flaps)

• Between the toes and paw pads

• The armpits and groin area

• Around the tail and under the collar

How to Prevent Dogs From Getting Ticks

The best way to handle ticks is to stop them from latching on in the first place. Here are the most effective strategies for tick prevention:

1. Use veterinary-approved tick products

Speak to your vet about tick prevention products that are safe and effective for your specific dog. These may include topical spot-on treatments, specialized collars, or tasty oral chewables designed to repel or quickly kill ticks before they can transmit disease.

2. Maintain a tidy outdoor environment

Keep your yard or garden less appealing to ticks by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming back low-hanging bushes, and clearing away damp leaf litter and brush where ticks love to hide.

3. Avoid high-risk areas

When walking or hiking during peak tick season, try to avoid dense woods, bracken, and tall, unmanaged grassy fields. Sticking to the center of cleared paths and trails will vastly reduce your dog's chances of brushing against a questing tick.

4. Perform regular tick checks

After outdoor activities, run your hands thoroughly over your dog’s body to feel for any unusual bumps. Promptly remove any ticks you find using a proper removal tool.

5. Groom your dog regularly

Regular brushing can help you spot ticks on your dog's fur before they have a chance to attach to the skin, while also helping to brush away loose debris.

Can Ticks Live on Humans?

Ticks do not inherently prefer dogs over humans; they are opportunistic feeders looking for any warm-blooded host. Humans are just as much of a target. The only reason dogs tend to get them more frequently is because they dive headfirst into the tall brush and leaves where ticks live, whereas humans tend to stick to cleared paths.

If you find a tick on yourself after spending time outdoors, remove it immediately.

Will Ticks Go Away on Their Own?

Unfortunately, ticks won't simply disappear. Once they've latched onto your dog, a tick will continue to feed for several days until it is fully engorged. Only then will it drop off into your home or environment to lay thousands of eggs and continue its life cycle. Leaving a tick to drop off naturally increases the window of time your dog is exposed to dangerous diseases.

How to Safely Remove a Tick From a Dog

Removing a tick requires care and precision. The goal is to remove the entire tick—including the mouthparts—without squeezing its body, which can inject bacteria into your dog.

Important: Never use matches, petroleum jelly, or rubbing alcohol to "suffocate" a tick. This can cause the tick to regurgitate fluids back into your dog, increasing the risk of infection.

Here is the safest step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare your gear

Grab a specialized tick removal tool (like a tick twister or tick hook), some antiseptic wipes, and a small container or sealable bag to dispose of the tick.

Step 2: Secure your dog

Keep your dog calm and still. If your pup is wiggly, have a friend or family member gently hold them and offer a high-value treat to keep them distracted.

Step 3: Position the tool

Part your dog's fur so you have a clear view. Slide the slot of the tick twister/hook under the body of the tick, getting the tool as close to your dog's skin as humanly possible.

Step 4: Twist and lift

With gentle, steady pressure, twist the tool several times in one direction. The twisting motion safely unlocks the barbed mouthparts from the skin. After a few rotations, lift the tool up and away.

(Note: If you only have fine-tipped tweezers available, grip the tick's head as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward with steady pressure. Do not twist if using regular tweezers, as this can snap the body off.)

Step 5: Cleanse and dispose

Drop the tick into a container of rubbing alcohol to kill it, or wrap it tightly in tape before throwing it away—never crush it with your fingers. Finally, clean the bite area on your dog's skin and wash your hands thoroughly.

Keep a close eye on the bite site over the next few weeks. If you notice swelling, redness, or if your dog becomes lethargic or develops a fever, contact your veterinarian right away.

Sources

• RSPCA – Ticks on Dogs

• NHS – Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

• Kennel Club UK – Ticks and Lyme Disease

• Blue Cross – Tick Bites and Your Dog

• PDSA – Tick Prevention

• PetsRadar – Where to Find Ticks on Dogs

• Tick Bites UK