How Do I Protect my Pet Against Ticks

Did you know around 15% of dogs will have an infestation of ticks?

Ticks are an increasing problem in the UK. These parasites spread dangerous diseases and tick bites can lead to infections and abscesses.

To help you keep your pet and yourself safe, here is the lowdown on ticks and how to deal with them.

What is a Tick?

Ticks are parasitic arachnids, that range in size from 3mm to 11mm depending on life stage, sex, and their fullness. These parasites attach themselves to animals and humans and feed off blood by digging into the skin with their specialised mouthparts.

The most common tick species found in the UK is known as the sheep or castor bean tick.

Ticks find their unfortunate hosts by ‘questing’. This means clinging to long grasses and waiting for a host to brush past. Once on the host, ticks will crawl around and find a suitable place to begin feeding.

Once ticks have found a suitably delicious spot, they will penetrate the skin with their specially adapted mouthparts. Ticks can remain secured in place for several days to a couple of weeks.

Can Ticks spread disease?

Tick bites can lead to infection, tick bite abscesses and the potential for tick-borne disease. Ticks can carry pathogens in their salvia so  their bite can pass these on. In general the longer the tick is attached to a host, the higher the risk of infection.

The most significant disease that these parasites can carry is a bacterial infection called Lyme Disease, which can impact our pets and us. Approximately 4% of UK ticks carry this bacterial infection. The symptoms of Lyme disease include:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Swollen sore joints
• Lameness/ intermittent limping
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Loss of appetite
• Bullseye rash (in people)

Lyme disease is thankfully easy to treat if caught early. So if you spot any of these symptoms (or your pet is acting differently than normal) then take them to the vet ASAP.

Being aware of the risk and removing ticks as soon as you spot them is also crucial for reducing disease risk.

Remember we are also vulnerable to tick disease transmission. Cases of Lyme Disease in people will fluctuate year on year, according to statistics from UKHSA, in 2024 there were over 1500 labratory confirmed cases.

Read the UK Health Security Agency advice on how to keep yourself protected against Lyme Disease. 

If you take your dog abroad on holiday, it is worth keeping in mind that ticks can transmit different diseases in other areas of the world. Speak to your vet before travel for the best health and preventative advice.

Where are Ticks found?

Ticks can attach to us and our pets all year round. They can be found in both rural and urban parks, gardens, woodlands, and grasslands.

Although this pesky parasite be found all year round; they tend to favour the milder weather. Spring and Autumn are peak times for ticks so it’s important to be extra vigilant during these seasons.

How to deal with Ticks

The best practice is to check your pet over from nose to tail every time they come in from an outside environment. Feeling over their fur and skin for any lumps or anything unusual. Although ticks can attach anywhere, they can often be found around the head, ears and neck.

Remember the sooner you spot a tick, the quicker it can be removed! The longer a tick is attached and feeding the more risk of tick-borne diseases.

Always carry with you a safe tick removal tool just in case. These tools work with the anatomy of the tick and allow it to be removed cleanly from the wound.

Never use tweezers, Vaseline, lighters or rubbing alcohol! These can be dangerous to your pet and risk leaving part of the tick in the wound.

Remember prevention is better than cure! Use a spot-on treatment that treats both fleas and ticks. This will keep your pet better protected and reduce the risk of disease or infection.

For more help with parasites, watch our video on Protecting Against Fleas.

If you are worried about worms, watch our video on Protecting Pets Against Internal Parasites.