Companion Animal Tick Prevention and Welfare

Ticks transmit several serious diseases to companion animals including Lyme disease in dogs and babesiosis in cats. Year-round tick prevention is increasingly important as tick ranges expand with climate change.

Key Facts

Ixodes ricinus (sheep tick) is the primary tick species in the UK and transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) to dogs and humans
Babesia canis, transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, has been found in UK dogs and causes severe haemolytic anaemia
Tick populations have expanded northward and into new habitats in the UK as mild winters reduce overwinter mortality
Ticks require 36-48 hours of attachment to transmit Lyme disease bacteria, making prompt removal critical
Licensed spot-on treatments, collars, and oral medications provide effective prevention for dogs; cats require specific safe products
Permethrin-containing products are highly effective for dogs but are severely toxic to cats and must never be used on or near them

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne disease causes significant suffering in affected companion animals. Lyme disease in dogs causes polyarthritis (painful joint inflammation), fever, and in severe cases kidney disease. Babesiosis is a potentially fatal haemolytic anaemia requiring intensive treatment. Both conditions are substantially preventable through appropriate tick prevention and prompt removal of attached ticks. The welfare significance of tick prevention has increased as climate change expands tick habitats and extends the active season: ticks that were previously seasonal are now active year-round in many UK areas. Cat owners must be particularly careful about tick product selection: permethrin and some other insecticides that are safe and effective for dogs are acutely toxic to cats and can cause fatal neurological signs. Regular tick checks after walks in tick habitat (grassland, woodland, heathland) allow prompt removal before transmission occurs.

What You Can Do

Use a veterinary-recommended tick prevention product year-round for dogs and cats
Check pets thoroughly after walks in tick habitat: particularly ears, groin, armpits, and between toes
Remove attached ticks promptly using a tick hook, twisting rather than pulling
Never use permethrin or permethrin-containing products on or near cats
Consult your vet about appropriate tick prevention if your pet shows signs of tick-borne illness
Report unusual tick infestations or disease presentations to your vet for data collection