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However, dog owners are being urged to check their pets after walks now that we are entering tick season in the UK.
With temperatures rising, tick activity is also increasing, and the small parasites can bite our pets, sometimes leading to serious consequences, including Lyme Disease.
Michael Nelson, canine expert at leading outdoor kennel provider, Kennel Store, says many dog owners are unaware just how easily ticks can attach to pets during an everyday walk.
“Ticks don’t jump or fly onto dogs. They wait on tall grass or plants and simply grab onto a dog as it brushes past. If your dog is exploring through long grass or woodland, it can happen very quickly.”
Once attached, ticks burrow their mouths into the skin and begin feeding on blood. Because they start off extremely small, they can be easy to miss at first.
Michael added: “When a tick first attaches it can be tiny, sometimes no bigger than a pinhead.”
“But as it feeds it swells quite noticeably, sometimes growing to the size of a small pea if it goes undetected for several days.”
What are ticks?
Ticks are tiny, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of animals and humans, and are commonly found in woodland and moorland, particularly in areas with long grass.
They don’t jump or fly, but will climb on to you if you brush against something they’re on. The tick will then bite and attach to the skin, where they will feed on blood for several days before dropping off.
Ticks are most active between spring and autumn and are widespread across the UK, but the most high-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands.
Why are ticks dangerous
Aside from causing irritation where they bite, ticks can also carry bacteria capable of spreading disease.
One of the most well-known is Lyme disease, which can cause symptoms in dogs including lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and swollen joints if infection develops.
While not every tick carries disease, Michael says the longer they remain attached, the greater the potential risk.
“The biggest issue is when a tick stays on a dog for a long time without being noticed. The longer it feeds, the greater the chance bacteria can be transmitted.”
Studies carried out by veterinary groups have previously found that around one in three dogs checked at UK veterinary clinics had ticks present, highlighting just how common the parasites can be.
How to check your dogs for ticks
Because ticks crawl through fur to find skin, they often settle in warm or hidden parts of a dog’s body where owners may not think to check.
Michael said: “The most common places we tend to find ticks are around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, under the front legs and along the belly.”
“These are all areas where ticks can attach without being immediately noticed, especially on dogs with thicker coats.”
He recommends owners take a minute to run their hands through their dog’s coat when returning home.
“A quick check after walks is one of the simplest things owners can do. You’re feeling for small bumps on the skin that weren’t there before.”
“If you find one early, it’s much easier to remove safely before it has time to fully embed.”
How to protect your dogs from ticks
Dr Hannah Godfrey, vet at Petsure, warned: “You can recognise a tick by their oval-shaped bodies, and spider-like legs. They’re usually very small, less than one centimetre long, and can vary in colour but are often brown or white.
“Ticks bury their mouthparts deep into the skin of both animals and humans while they feed, then drop off when they’re full. When they’re done feeding, they become a dark grey/brown colour and are much larger in size.
“Ticks are common in woodland and grassland and are most active throughout the spring and summer. Sadly, ticks can carry dangerous bacteria and parasites such as babesiosis, which can pass on to your pets. Babesiosis (the condition caused by the Babesia parasite) causes damage to the red blood cells and can lead to severe anaemia and even organ failure.
“One of the more common diseases transmitted by ticks in the UK is Lyme disease, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Early signs of Lyme disease include a lack of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Symptoms of Lyme disease can appear weeks or months after being bitten, at which point the disease could have spread throughout the body.
“Some tick bites can even cause paralysis in dogs. Symptoms of this usually appear three to nine days after the tick attaches itself. Paralysis typically starts with a loss of back leg coordination, followed by a change in breathing, vomiting or gagging, and a change or loss of bark.”
Check pets after walks
It’s good practice to do a tick check anytime your dog returns from outdoors. Run your hands over their body, making sure to focus on areas like their head and ears, belly, and armpits. Try to feel for any small bumps on their skin.
Use tick control products
There are plenty of products out there that can help prevent tick bites. Look out for collars, sprays, and spot-on treatments, but be sure to only use products recommended by your vet.
Never use tick control intended for cats on dogs, and vice versa
Tick treatment for dogs include chemicals that can be lethal for cats, and a treatment intended for cats may also be harmful to your dog. Your vet will recommend the right treatment for your specific pet.
Cut back the grass in your garden
While ticks are more common in woodland areas, they can also be found in your garden. Make sure to keep the grass and vegetation in your garden cut short to avoid harbouring ticks.
