Ticks on Dogs: How Dangerous Are They & How to Protect Your Pet

Last Updated: November 2025

Ticks on dogs are more than just a nuisance. They're dangerous parasites that can transmit life-threatening diseases. Understanding the risks of ticks on dogs and how to protect your pet is essential for every dog owner.

Every year, thousands of dogs contract serious illnesses from tick bites. The good news? With proper prevention and early detection, you can protect your dog from these dangerous parasites.

Why Are Ticks on Dogs So Dangerous?

Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that attach to your dog's skin. While feeding, they can transmit bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens directly into your dog's bloodstream.

Disease transmission - Ticks carry multiple serious diseases. A single tick bite can infect your dog with Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, or anaplasmosis.

Rapid infection - Some diseases transmit within hours of attachment. The longer a tick feeds, the higher the infection risk.

Silent symptoms - Many tick-borne diseases don't show symptoms immediately. By the time you notice something is wrong, the disease may be advanced.

Multiple infections - A single tick can carry and transmit more than one disease at once. This makes diagnosis and treatment more complex.

Year-round threat - Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing. This means your dog is at risk almost year-round in many areas.

Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

Understanding the diseases ticks carry helps you recognize symptoms early.

Lyme Disease

The most well-known tick-borne illness. Caused by bacteria transmitted by deer ticks.

Symptoms: Lameness, joint swelling, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy
Timeline: Symptoms appear 2-5 months after infection
Treatment: Antibiotics (most effective when caught early)

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

A serious bacterial infection that can be fatal if untreated.

Symptoms: High fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Timeline: Symptoms appear within 2-14 days
Treatment: Immediate antibiotic treatment required

Ehrlichiosis

Caused by bacteria that infect white blood cells.

Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, bruising, nosebleeds
Timeline: Acute phase within 1-3 weeks
Treatment: Antibiotics, may require hospitalization

Anaplasmosis

Similar to Lyme disease, transmitted by the same ticks.

Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Timeline: Symptoms appear 1-2 weeks after bite
Treatment: Antibiotics

Babesiosis

A parasitic infection that destroys red blood cells.

Symptoms: Pale gums, weakness, dark urine, fever, enlarged spleen
Timeline: Can be acute or chronic
Treatment: Antiparasitic medications, sometimes blood transfusions

Symptoms of Tick-Borne Illness in Dogs

Early detection saves lives. Watch for these warning signs:

Fever - Often the first sign of infection. Normal dog temperature is 101-102.5°F.

Lethargy - Unusual tiredness or reluctance to move.

Loss of appetite - Refusing food or eating less than normal.

Lameness or joint pain - Limping, stiffness, or difficulty standing.

Swollen lymph nodes - Lumps under the jaw, in front of shoulders, or behind knees.

Neurological symptoms - Seizures, head tilt, or behavior changes (rare but serious).

Bleeding disorders - Nosebleeds, bruising, or blood in urine.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms after being in tick-prone areas, contact your vet immediately. Early treatment dramatically improves outcomes.

Common Types of Ticks on Dogs

Different ticks carry different diseases. Knowing which ticks are in your area helps you stay vigilant.

Visual guide to identifying the four most common types of ticks found on dogs

Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)

Primary carrier of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

Appearance: Very small (pinhead size), reddish-brown body, black legs
Location: Northeast, upper Midwest, Pacific coast
Peak season: Spring and fall

American Dog Tick

Carries Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

Appearance: Larger than deer ticks, brown with white or gray markings
Location: East of Rocky Mountains, Pacific coast
Peak season: Spring and summer

Brown Dog Tick

Can carry ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.

Appearance: Reddish-brown, no markings
Location: Nationwide, especially in kennels and homes
Peak season: Year-round indoors

Lone Star Tick

Carries ehrlichiosis and southern tick-associated rash illness.

Appearance: Reddish-brown with white spot on back (females)
Location: Southeast and eastern United States
Peak season: Spring through fall

Natural Tick Prevention for Dogs

Protecting your dog from ticks doesn't require harsh chemicals. Natural prevention methods are effective and safe.

Use Natural Tick Repellents

Plant-based repellents create a barrier that ticks avoid.

Our Natural Flea & Tick Defense Pack combines a repellent shampoo and spray. The formula contains a proprietary blend of botanical ingredients that repel ticks naturally.

Key benefits of natural tick prevention:

✓ Formulated with plant-based repellent ingredients
✓ Contains natural compounds that deter ticks and fleas
✓ Includes essential oils known for pest-repelling properties
✓ Safe for regular use without harsh chemicals
✓ Gentle on skin while providing protection
✓ Works on contact to repel parasites
✓ Pleasant natural scent

Apply the Natural Flea & Tick Spray before walks, hikes, or outdoor play. Reapply after swimming or bathing.

Regular Tick Checks

Check your dog thoroughly after every outdoor adventure.

Where to check: Between toes, under collar, in and around ears, under front legs, between back legs, around tail base

How to check: Run your hands over your dog's entire body. Feel for small bumps. Part the fur to look closely at the skin.

When to check: Immediately after walks in wooded or grassy areas. Ticks can transmit disease within hours.

Maintain Your Yard

Reduce tick habitat around your home.

- Keep grass mowed short
- Remove leaf litter and brush
- Create a barrier between wooded areas and lawn
- Stack wood in dry, sunny areas
- Discourage deer and rodents from your property

Bathe Regularly

Regular bathing with tick-repellent shampoo removes ticks before they attach.

Use our Natural Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo weekly during tick season. The formula cleanses while creating a protective barrier.

Avoid High-Risk Areas

Ticks thrive in certain environments.

High-risk areas: Wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, brush piles, areas with deer or rodents

Lower-risk areas: Mowed lawns, paved trails, sunny open spaces

When hiking, stick to the center of trails. Avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks wait.

How to Safely Remove Ticks from Dogs

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it immediately and correctly.

What You Need

- Fine-tipped tweezers or tick removal tool
- Rubbing alcohol
- Small container with lid
- Gloves (optional but recommended)

Removal Steps

Step 1: Part your dog's fur to expose the tick completely.

Step 2: Grasp the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.

Step 3: Pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk. This can cause the mouth parts to break off.

Step 4: Place the tick in a container with rubbing alcohol. This kills it and preserves it for identification if needed.

Step 5: Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or antiseptic.

Step 6: Wash your hands thoroughly.

What NOT to Do

❌ Don't use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove ticks
❌ Don't squeeze or crush the tick's body
❌ Don't twist or pull quickly
❌ Don't touch the tick with bare hands

After Removal

Monitor the bite site for several weeks. Watch for signs of infection or illness.

Save the tick in alcohol for at least a month. If your dog develops symptoms, your vet can test the tick for diseases.

Mark your calendar. Note when and where you found the tick. This helps your vet if symptoms develop.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks on Dogs

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit disease?
It varies by disease. Lyme disease typically requires 24-48 hours of attachment. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can transmit in as little as 2-4 hours. This is why immediate tick removal is critical.

Can ticks on dogs transmit disease to humans?
Yes. While ticks don't jump from dogs to humans, they can drop off your dog in your home. Family members can then be bitten. Always check yourself after handling a dog with ticks.

What's the best way to prevent ticks on dogs naturally?
Combine multiple strategies. Use natural repellent sprays before outdoor activities. Bathe regularly with tick-repellent shampoo. Check your dog thoroughly after every walk. Maintain your yard to reduce tick habitat.

Are certain dog breeds more susceptible to tick-borne diseases?
All dogs can get tick-borne diseases. However, dogs with longer or thicker coats may be harder to check thoroughly. This can lead to ticks going unnoticed longer.

Can my dog get Lyme disease even with a tick vaccine?
Yes. The Lyme vaccine doesn't provide 100% protection. It also doesn't protect against other tick-borne diseases. Prevention through tick control is still essential.

How do I know if a tick bite is infected?
Watch for redness, swelling, or discharge at the bite site. Systemic signs include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or lameness. Contact your vet if you notice any of these symptoms.

Protect Your Dog from Dangerous Ticks

Ticks on dogs are a serious health threat. But with the right prevention strategy, you can keep your dog safe.

Give your dog effective, chemical-free protection with our Natural Flea & Tick Defense Pack. The combination of repellent shampoo and spray provides comprehensive protection against ticks and the diseases they carry.

Safe for regular use, gentle on skin, and proven effective. Because your dog deserves protection that works without harsh chemicals.

Trusted by thousands of pet parents for natural, effective tick and flea protection.