It is easy to think of ticks as a summer problem. In many parts of the country, though, ticks can turn up on dogs well before the first warm weekend of spring. Some species, including the blacklegged tick often called the deer tick, can become active on mild days in late winter when temperatures rise above freezing and the snow pulls back from the leaf litter. That makes February a sensible time to think about prevention.
Why late winter matters
Ticks do not fly or jump. They wait on grass, brush and leaf litter and climb onto a passing animal. When snow melts and the ground warms in the afternoon sun, ticks that survived the winter may start looking for a host. A walk along a wooded trail or a romp through tall dried grass on a mild day can bring one home.
Ticks can carry diseases that affect dogs. Which diseases are common depends heavily on where you live, which is why local advice from your veterinarian is so valuable.
Talk to your veterinarian about prevention
There are several types of tick prevention products for dogs, including oral medications, topical treatments and collars. They work in different ways, protect against different parasites and suit different dogs. Some products intended for dogs can be dangerous to cats, which matters in multi-pet homes. Your veterinarian can help you choose a product based on your dog’s age, weight, health and lifestyle, and on the ticks found in your area.
- Ask whether your dog should be on prevention year-round where you live.
- Ask which tick-borne diseases are common locally and whether testing or vaccination is recommended.
- Ask how to safely use prevention products if you also have cats or young children.
- Follow the product label and your vet’s directions exactly, including dosing by weight.
Make tick checks a habit now
No prevention method is perfect, so regular tick checks are a good habit to build before peak season. After walks in grassy or wooded areas, run your hands slowly over your dog’s body, feeling for small bumps. Pay attention to the head, ears, neck, under the collar, armpits, between the toes, around the tail and in the groin area. On curly or thick coats, part the hair so you can see the skin.
Reduce exposure where you can
Ticks favor tall grass, brush and leafy edges between lawn and woods. Sticking to the middle of trails, keeping your yard trimmed and clearing leaf piles near play areas can lower the chances of an encounter. Check your own clothing too, since ticks can hitch a ride indoors on people as well as pets.
If you find a tick attached to your dog, or notice signs such as lethargy, limping, fever or loss of appetite in the weeks after a tick bite, call your veterinarian. Starting the conversation in late winter means you will have a plan in place before tick season is in full swing.
