What Every Dog Parent Needs to Know About Ticks on Dogs

Ticks on dogs are a common concern for pet parents, especially in warmer months when these tiny parasites are most active. As much as we love spending time outdoors with our dogs, it’s important to understand the risks posed by ticks and the diseases they can transmit. Ticks can affect your dog’s health in serious ways, leading to conditions like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. With that in mind, knowing how to prevent ticks, recognize the signs of an infestation, and handle tick removal effectively can help keep your dog safe. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about ticks on dogs: what ticks are and how to identify them, how to keep your dog tick-free, and what to do if your dog does get bitten.

What Are Ticks and How Do They Affect Dogs?

Ticks are small, blood-sucking arachnids that latch onto animals (or humans) to feed on their blood. There are several species of ticks that can infest dogs, and they are commonly found in grassy, wooded, or brushy areas. Some of the most common ticks that affect dogs include the American dog tick, black-legged tick (also known as the deer tick), and the brown dog tick.

Ticks on dogs are more than just a nuisance; they can carry a range of harmful diseases. When a tick attaches to a dog’s skin to feed, it can transmit pathogens that may lead to infections such as Lyme disease, which can cause joint pain, fatigue, and fever, or Ehrlichiosis, which affects the dog’s immune system and can lead to serious complications.

How to Spot Ticks on Dogs

Ticks on dogs can often go unnoticed, especially since they’re so small when they first latch on. However, the longer a tick stays attached, the more visible it becomes. The adult female ticks are the most noticeable as they become engorged with blood.

Signs That Your Dog Has a Tick

The most obvious sign that your dog might have ticks is excessive scratching, biting, or licking in certain areas, particularly around the head, neck, and ears, where ticks tend to attach. If you notice your dog showing unusual signs of discomfort or irritation, it’s worth checking their body carefully for ticks. Ticks can sometimes be hard to spot because of their small size, but after feeding, they grow in size and can become quite noticeable. Checking your dog’s fur regularly, especially after walks or outdoor playtime, is essential for early tick detection.

Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

Ticks on dogs aren’t just an inconvenience, they can be the gateway to several serious diseases. Here are a few of the most common tick-borne diseases to watch out for:

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs, particularly in regions where the black-legged tick (deer tick) is prevalent. Dogs infected with Lyme disease may experience fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, lameness, and joint pain. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to kidney failure and other severe health issues.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

This disease, transmitted by the American dog tick, can affect dogs and humans alike. Dogs infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever may develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. In some cases, it can cause neurological issues and even death if left untreated.

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is caused by a bacteria carried by the brown dog tick. This disease affects the dog’s immune system, leading to symptoms like fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Ehrlichiosis can cause severe complications if not diagnosed and treated early.

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is another tick-borne disease that can affect dogs, causing symptoms like fever, lameness, and joint pain. It can be diagnosed with a blood test and treated with antibiotics if caught early.

How to Prevent Ticks on Dogs

Preventing ticks on dogs is crucial to keeping them healthy and free from tick-borne diseases. Fortunately, there are several ways you can reduce your dog’s risk of tick exposure.

Tick Preventatives

Using tick preventatives is one of the most effective ways to protect your dog. There are many options available, including oral medications, topical treatments, and tick collars. Each option works differently to repel or kill ticks before they can attach to your dog’s skin. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which option is best for your dog based on their age, health, and lifestyle.

Tick-Proof Your Yard

If you have a yard, you can take steps to reduce tick populations around your home. Keeping your lawn mowed short, removing tall grass and brush, and trimming back trees and shrubs can help eliminate areas where ticks may thrive. Additionally, using insecticides designed to kill ticks can help control their numbers in your yard.

Avoid Tick-Infested Areas

While it’s not always possible to avoid ticks entirely, you can minimize the risk by staying away from areas known for high tick populations, such as wooded areas, tall grass, and brush. If you do walk through these areas, check your dog thoroughly afterward for ticks.

How to Remove Ticks on Dogs

If you find a tick on your dog, it’s important to remove it properly to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Call Cali’s Cottage Veterinary Hospital at (714) 846-1378 for assistance removing the tick. If you’re unable to bring your dog to our hospital, or this occurs after hours, try soaking a cotton ball in soap and water and rubbing it over the tick in a circular motion. This will take over a minute, but eventually the tick won’t be able to breathe and back out. Removing the tick with fine-tipped tweezers should be a last resort, as the tick’s head could get stuck and risk infecting your dog.

What to Do If Your Dog Gets Sick After a Tick Bite

Even if you remove a tick properly, it’s still possible for your dog to develop symptoms of a tick-borne disease. If your dog shows any unusual signs, such as fever, loss of appetite, or lameness, it’s important to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet may recommend testing for tick-borne diseases and may begin treatment if necessary.

Keeping Your Dog Safe from Ticks Year-Round

Ticks aren’t just a seasonal problem. They can be active year-round, particularly in warmer climates. While you may think of tick season as being primarily in spring and summer, ticks are often present in the fall and winter as well. That’s why it’s important to continue tick prevention year-round, even when the weather cools down. By using tick preventatives and checking your dog regularly for ticks, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. If you ever have concerns or questions about ticks on dogs, your veterinarian at Cali’s Cottage Veterinary Hospital is always the best resource for guidance and recommendations tailored to your dog’s specific needs. Call (714) 846-1378 or book an appointment online for your pet today!