As pet parents, we want nothing more than to keep our furry family members happy, healthy, and free of ticks. But let's face it, ticks are sneaky little hitchhikers that can latch onto our beloved dogs and cats without us even noticing.
The good news? You can keep your pets safe from these unwanted guests with the right knowledge and a keen eye.
What does a tick on a dog or cat look like?
Ticks might be small, but they're not impossible to spot once you know what you're looking for. These eight-legged parasites vary in size and color, which depends on their species and feeding habits.
Before feeding, ticks are typically:
- Flat and oval-shaped
- About the size of a sesame seed (3-5mm)
- Brown, reddish-brown, or black in color
- Have a hard, smooth body
After feeding, ticks become:
- Swollen and round, like a small grape
- Gray or olive-colored
- Up to ½ inch in size when fully engorged
- Noticeably attached to your pet's skin
Common places to find ticks on your pet include around the neck and collar area, between the toes and paw pads, in the groin area, under the tail, and around the eyelids.
Why do dogs and cats have ticks?
Simply put, our pets are tick magnets because they're the perfect hosts. Here's why ticks find our furry friends so appealing:
Natural behavior
Dogs and cats love to explore areas where ticks thrive, such as tall grass, wooded areas, and leaf piles. Ticks cling to plants with their legs outstretched. This action is known as "questing." They wait to grab any animal that walks by.
Body heat and carbon dioxide
Ticks are attracted to the warmth and CO2 that our pets naturally emit. These signals tell ticks that a potential meal is nearby.
Fur provides cover
Your pet's fur offers tick protection while they feed, making it easier for them to go unnoticed for days or even weeks.
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Outdoor lifestyle
Even indoor/outdoor cats and dogs that only venture into the yard are at risk. Ticks don't discriminate, they can be found in urban backyards just as easily as hiking trails.
Signs Your Dog or Cat Has a Tick
While the most obvious sign is seeing the tick itself, there are other clues that might tip you off to their presence:
- Excessive scratching or biting at a specific area.
- Head shaking (especially if ticks are in the ears).
- Unusual restlessness or discomfort.
- Reluctance to be touched in certain areas.
- Small bumps on the skin that weren't there before.
- Red, irritated areas where a tick has attached.
- Scabs from where your pet has been scratching.
- Small dark spots that move when you part the fur.
I found a tick on my dog (or cat), what do I do?
Don't panic! Finding a tick on your pet is concerning but manageable. Here's your step-by-step action plan:
- Gather your supplies.
- Fine-tipped tweezers (not your fingers!)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Disposable gloves
- A small container with a lid
- Antiseptic for the bite area
- Remove the tick properly
- Put on gloves to protect yourself.
- Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your pet's skin as possible.
- Pull straight upward with steady, even pressure (don't twist or jerk).
- Don't squeeze the tick's body, this could push infected fluids into your pet.
- After removal
- Place the tick in a container with rubbing alcohol to kill it
- Clean the bite area with antiseptic
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Save the tick in case your vet wants to test it.
- Monitor your pet
- Watch the bite area for signs of infection.
- Keep an eye out for any symptoms mentioned above.
- Contact your vet if you notice anything unusual.
Tick Expertise for Your Entire Family
Make tick checks part of your daily routine, especially during peak tick season (spring through fall). Pay extra attention after walks in wooded areas or tall grass.
But to fully protect your pets from ticks and other pests, you don’t have to do it alone. Professional pest control services are here to help you create a safer environment for your whole family, pets included.