Ticks on Dogs - How to Prevent and Treat!
Updated: Feb 18, 2021
In a few months Tick season will be upon us again! While ticks seem pointless, they do provide a big purpose in the ecosystem, providing a meal for a few wild animals but unfortunately, your dog can be a perfect feeding ground for these parasites. Here are the things you need to know about these arachnids and the diseases they carry.
What do ticks look like?
Ticks vary in shape, colour and size but they have a flattened oval shaped body before feeding and a plump, rounded body once fed. When they’re unfed they’re the size of a sesame seed but then grow to the size of a coffee bean when complete engorged with their host’s blood.
When are ticks active?
Ticks are most active from March to October, but you might come across them in the winter months, too. Because ticks are at risk of drying out, they prefer moist and humid environments and live in grass, bushes, shrubs and foliage.
How do ticks get on to your pet?
Ticks will rest on the tips of grasses and shrubs, waiting for a host. When a host brushes past the tick will climb onto them and either attach themselves quickly or go for a wander across their victim, looking for warmer areas or places where the skin is thinner.