“Tick Talk: How to Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe from These Pesky Parasites”

What You Need to Know About Ticks on Dogs and Cats

Ticks are pesky parasites that can latch onto both you and your pets. While dogs are the most common hosts, cats can also fall victim to these tiny bloodsuckers. Here’s everything you need to know to stay prepared and take action.

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are small, spider-like parasites with eight legs and a flat, oval body. They are more commonly found on dogs, but cats can also be affected, so it’s important to regularly check all your pets. Ticks need a host to survive, feeding on blood until they are full.

Where Are Ticks Found?

Ticks thrive in woodlands and grassy areas like fields and meadows. Unlike fleas, ticks don’t jump. Instead, they wait on grass, trees, or bushes until a host brushes past, then they cling on. They are active year-round but are most prevalent from spring to autumn when it’s warmer. In spring, female ticks lay around 2,000 eggs, which hatch in the same summer.

Tick Sizes

Ticks can vary in size from 1 mm to 1 cm. Before feeding, they are about the size of a sesame seed but can grow to the size of a pea once engorged.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Not all ticks carry diseases, but some can transmit serious illnesses. In Canada, the primary concern is Lyme disease, a serious bacterial infection. If caught early, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Here are the main symptoms to watch for in both humans and pets:

Symptoms in Dogs and Cats:

  • Initial “bull’s eye” rash around the bite
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Lameness
  • Lethargy
  • Swollen and painful joints
  • Swollen lymph nodes

 

Tick Removal

Ticks will eventually drop off after feeding, which usually takes about a week. However, during this time, they can transmit diseases, so it’s crucial to remove them as soon as possible.

By staying vigilant and regularly checking your pets, you can help protect them from the dangers of ticks. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it promptly and consult your veterinarian for further advice.