Tick Awareness

It's not unusual for dogs to have ticks, as the little spider-like parasites can easily attach themselves to their coat while out on walks.
Ticks can't jump or fly, so sit at the tip of grass and plants waiting to brush on to the skin, before crawling to a comfy spot and filling up on mammalian blood. Hedgehogs, cats, sheep, deer and humans can all end up with ticks. They tend to be most active in the spring and autumn months.
Checking your dog's fur for ticks after a walk in the woods or long grass is essential. Most ticks are harmless, but can cause discomfort to your pet. Dogs can also catch Lyme disease which is hard to diagnose, but a serious and debilitating condition.
 
Where do ticks live?
You are most likely to come into contact with ticks in areas of dense vegetation including long grass and woodland. They can not fly so attached themselves to animals when they brush past them. They are likely to be found close to animal habitats including deer, rabbits and rodents.
Ticks are most active during spring as this is the point, every year in their three-year lifespan (approx.), that they look for a host to feed off.
 
What does a tick look like on a dog?
Ticks come in many sizes and shapes, but generally they're small, flat, black and an oval shape. Once they've gorged on blood, ticks usually expand to the size of a small coffee bean. They can look like a wart in a dog's fur, but on closer inspection you'll be able to see their eight legs.

How do I know if my dog has ticks?
Make a habit of running your hands through your dog's fur after a walk to feel for any lumps and bumps. Pay particular attention to your pet's neck, head, ears, groin, muzzle, pads and toes, as these are the places ticks can attach themselves to dogs most easily. Regular brushing, shampooing and grooming can also help keep on top of ticks.

What should I do if my dog has ticks?
Ticks can carry infection so it's important to remove them quickly. But, pulling a tick from your dog's coat is a no-no.
Not only do the parasite's legs and mouth often remain embedded in the skin, potentially causing infection, inflammation and them to regurgitate infected blood back into your pet, but this can hurt your dog.
 
How do I safely remove a tick from my dog?
"If you find a tick on your pet, it's important to remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of it transmitting disease to your dog," the team at the PDSA tell us. "It's vital that when removing a tick, you don't pull, crush or squeeze it, as this increases the chance of disease transmission, whilst also running the risk of leaving the tick's head or mouth parts behind."
If you want to remove the tick from your dog, the experts suggest: "Use a specially designed tick twisting tool to slide between the tick and your pet's skin, getting as close to the skin as possible. Make sure the tick is firmly inside the hook; use a smaller hook if it feels loose.
"Twist the tool two to three times in the same direction until you feel the tick loosen from your pet, being careful not to pull the tick off – the tick will let go when you've twisted enough. Slowly lift the tool away when you feel the tick loosen, it should stay in the hook. Dispose of the tick, making sure it can’t affect any other people or animals."
Always head to your local vet if you are unsure or struggle to remove the tick from your dog.

How to prevent ticks on dog and tick bites?
Your vet can recommend effective tick prevention treatments such as collars, tablets and on-the-spot treatments to help stop the parasite attaching itself to your dog. It's also worth asking your vet if you live in a high tick area.
Make sure you regularly check for ticks after walks and when brushing your dog, too. Do this by brushing their coat against the direction of hair growth so you can see the skin.
The Kennel Club recommends carrying a tick removal tool with you when out and about with your pet, along with antiseptic wipes. Stick to paths, treat pet accessories with repellants, use tick-control products and deter ticks from your garden by keeping the grass short, too. Read more tick prevention tips from the Kennel Club here.