Skip to main content

Ticks in dogs: What you need to know

News
A representation of
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on blood. They are particularly active in the warmer months and can be dangerous for dogs.

How do I recognize ticks on my dog?

Ticks are usually very small and difficult to see. They can attach themselves to various parts of the dog's body, for example the head, ears, neck, legs or stomach. To detect ticks on your dog, you should regularly and thoroughly feel him. It is particularly advisable to check your dog for ticks after every walk outside.

If you find a tick on your dog, you should remove it as quickly as possible. To do this, you need special tick tweezers or cards, which you can buy at any pharmacy or pet shop. Use these to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and carefully pull it out. Make sure that you do not squeeze or twist the tick, otherwise it may release its saliva or parts of its body into the wound.

After you have removed the tick, you should disinfect the bite site and observe it. If you notice any signs of inflammation or infection, such as redness, swelling, pus or fever, you should take your dog to the vet. Also, if your dog shows symptoms such as exhaustion, loss of appetite, lameness or anemia, this may indicate a disease transmitted by a tick.

Why are ticks dangerous for dogs?

The tick bores into your dog's skin with its mouthparts and sucks itself full. In doing so, it can transmit various pathogens that can have very serious consequences for your dog.

The most common diseases that ticks can transmit to dogs include

  • Lyme disease: a bacterial infection that can lead to fever, joint inflammation, paralysis and kidney failure.
  • Anaplasmosis: A bacterial infection that can lead to fever, loss of appetite, anemia and a tendency to bleed.
  • Babesiosis: A parasitic infection that can lead to fever, anemia, jaundice and kidney failure.
  • Ehrlichiosis: A bacterial infection that can lead to fever, nosebleeds, swelling of the lymph nodes and a tendency to bleed.
  • TBE: A viral infection that can lead to fever, headaches, vomiting and meningitis.

As you can see, these are not harmless illnesses. They can make your dog suffer greatly or even kill him. That's why you should always make sure that your dog doesn't get any ticks or that you remove them as quickly as possible.

How do I remove ticks from my dog?

To remove a tick, you should use tick tweezers or tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the dog's skin as possible and pull it out slowly. Avoid squeezing or twisting the tick as this can increase the risk of infection.

How can I protect my dog from ticks?

There are various ways to protect your dog from ticks.

  • Avoid walking your dog in areas that are known to have lots of ticks. These are, for example, tall grasses, bushes or forests. If you do go there, check your dog thoroughly for ticks afterwards and remove them immediately.
  • Use a tick repellent for your dog. There are various products on the market that you can use regularly to protect your dog from ticks. These can be spot-ons, collars or tablets, for example. Make sure that you choose a product that is suitable for your dog and that you follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Put a tick collar on your dog. A tick collar is a special collar that contains an active ingredient that repels or kills ticks. A tick collar can be a good addition to another tick repellent or an alternative for dogs that cannot tolerate other products. However, you should make sure that the collar is not too tight or too loose and that your dog does not chew it off or lose it.

How can I reduce the risk of a tick bite?

To reduce the risk of a tick bite, you should keep your dog away from tall grass and undergrowth. You can also use special tick repellents to reduce the risk of a bite. Talk to your vet about the best option for your dog.

Related News