What are the different types of ticks found on dogs?
There are a number of species of ticks that are frequently found on dogs; most common are “deer ticks” (also informally called black-legged ticks) and “dog ticks” (Dermacentor variabilis, also called American Dog Ticks, and Brown Dog Ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Deer ticks are small – before they’ve had a blood meal, they may be as small as a poppy seed. Dog ticks are larger, perhaps as broad as a single pea (though nearly flat before they’ve fed). Depending on the species, dog ticks may have a plain brown body or be brown with red-dotted bodies and a grey “shield” on the back of its “neck” area. Each species of tick carries different bacterial species that can cause disease in the animals that the tick feeds on.
Ticks await their prey by climbing onto grass, trees, and brush and quickly grab onto anything that brushes by them. They can crawl pretty rapidly through your dog’s fur – or equally fast up the leg of your pants!
Ideally, dog owners groom their dogs after they’ve been in any environment frequented by ticks. Brush your dog while looking for any loose or attached ticks – or use a brush and a tape roller in alternating strokes, to loosen and then capture any crawling ticks.
What does a tick look like on a dog?
Ticks come in many sizes and shapes, but generally theyre small, flat, black and an oval shape. Once theyve gorged on blood, ticks usually expand to the size of a small coffee bean. They can look like a wart in a dogs fur, but on closer inspection youll be able to see their eight legs.
A tick on a dog’s skin
Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) requires high temperatures to reproduce so is not naturally found in the UK. But its a very common tick in Southern Europe, and has been found on UK dogs that have returned home after travelling abroad. This tick can transmit diseases called babesiosis and ehrlichiosis to dogs, which can be fatal. If you take your dog on holiday, he could be at risk of these diseases, which is why tick protection is so important, both in the UK and abroad.
How to tell if your dog has a tick or scab? this is IMPORTANT information for dog owners
You may have heard that ticks are only a seasonal issue. But ticks are a significant threat to dogs and people year-round.
And while not all ticks carry disease, tick bites can cause big problems for you and your pet. As a good pet parent, it’s important to know what to expect if you find a tick on your dog.
Understand the signs and symptoms of a tick bite on a dog to keep your pets safe from tick-borne diseases. Be an informed pet parent. Sign up for our free pet wellness newsletter »