Tick Season – How to Protect Your Pet?

Ticks are small arachnids whose bites can be life-threatening for your pet, as they transmit many diseases such as babesiosis, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and tick-borne encephalitis. Treating these conditions is very difficult, so instead of treating – prevent! See how to protect your pet during tick season.

How Long Does Tick Season Last?

"Tick season" is often mentioned in the summer, but this does not mean that these small arachnids are only active during the hottest months. Tick season depends on the surrounding temperature, with ticks becoming active at just 7 degrees Celsius. That is why the first ticks on dogs are often spotted as early as mid-March. When does tick season end? It can last until the end of October.

It's worth noting that mild winters can cause tick activity to start much earlier, and a dog may catch a tick even in winter. Therefore, there is no definite answer to when tick season ends, and it is essential to protect your dog from bites all year round.

Where Can Ticks Be Found?

Many people assume that ticks are not a threat in the city – this is a misconception. They like to inhabit tall grasses, bushes, and the edges of water bodies, but they also live on low plants and city lawns.

Don't forget to protect your dog from other dangers during a walk – running away or getting lost is a common problem. Microchipping and registering your pet in the www.worldpetnet.com database is an effective method for finding a pet that gets lost or runs away.

What Are the Symptoms of a Tick Bite?

A tick bite itself may go unnoticed, which is why it is important to regularly check your pet, especially to see if ticks are hiding behind or in the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and on the elbows or under the tail. In some cases, a reaction to the bite may occur – the area may swell and become hard, in which case you should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible.

In many cases, however, the bite remains unnoticed, and the owner only becomes concerned when symptoms of a developing disease appear. The first signs of tick-borne diseases often appear between 1 and 3 weeks after the bite, so they are not always associated with ticks.

If your dog shows:

● High fever,

● Lethargy,

● Vomiting,

● Loss of appetite,

● Shortness of breath,

● Enlarged lymph nodes,

● Hematuria,

or other concerning symptoms, you should definitely visit a veterinarian – it could be one of the tick-borne diseases that should not be ignored!

How to Protect Your Pet?

Wondering how to protect your dog from ticks? Fortunately, there are many methods available that reduce the risk of bites.

● Tick Drops – applied to the back of the dog’s neck, these contain substances that are toxic to ticks. The product is selected according to the weight of the animal, and for effective action, it is necessary to use it regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

● Tablets – oral medications can be effective for up to 12 weeks. There are solutions on the market that combine anti-parasitic and anti-tick protection, which is a convenient option.

● Spray – anti-tick sprays have a repellent effect and are useful when applied before a walk, usually providing short-term protection.

Is a Tick Collar a Good Solution?

Tick collars are a popular method of tick protection; they are convenient to use – just put them around the neck, adjust the length, and you’re done. But is it an effective solution?

A tick collar will work well as long as you follow a few rules:

1. Choose the Right Size – it should primarily be matched to the dog's weight, not just the neck circumference.

2. Proper Fit – it is important to wear the collar correctly; it should be snug.

3. Continuous Wear – the tick collar continuously releases repellent and insecticidal substances and should be worn all the time for the best, complete protection. The only recommendation for removing it is during frequent baths, as this can reduce its effectiveness.

4. Monitoring Protection Period – collars work for a specific time during which they release active substances; it is important to replace them regularly.

5. Keeping It Clean – a tick collar covered in dirt is less effective. It is important to keep it clean.

How to effectively protect your dog from ticks? For full protection, especially for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or live in areas with a high tick population, it may be necessary to use two methods simultaneously – for example, tablets combined with spray applied before going out. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian, who can recommend the best solution.