Companion Animal Tick Prevention and Welfare

Ticks transmit serious diseases to dogs, cats and humans. Effective parasite prevention protects companion animal welfare while reducing risk of tick-borne illness.

Key Facts

Ixodes ricinus (sheep tick) is the most common tick affecting dogs and cats in the UK
Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks, affects an estimated 3,000 people annually in the UK
Babesiosis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are tick-borne diseases affecting dogs
Ticks are active from March to November with peak activity in spring and autumn
Regular tick checks after outdoor activity are the first line of prevention
Spot-on treatments, collars and oral medications provide varying durations of tick protection
Correct tick removal using a tick hook removes the whole tick without squeezing the body

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne diseases cause significant suffering in affected dogs - Lyme disease causes lethargy, joint pain and fever; babesiosis causes haemolytic anaemia that can be fatal. Prevention is far more welfare-protective than treatment of established disease. Regular tick checks are a welfare routine that takes minutes but can prevent weeks of suffering. Owner education about correct tick removal is critical - squeezing the tick body increases pathogen transmission risk. Licensed veterinary parasite prevention products are the most reliable protection, particularly for dogs active in woodland and grassland habitats.

What You Can Do

Check your dog and cat for ticks after every outdoor trip, particularly in spring and autumn
Use a tick hook for safe removal - never squeeze, burn or twist ticks
Discuss licensed tick prevention products with your vet and use them consistently
Learn the symptoms of Lyme disease and tick-borne diseases in dogs
Keep vaccination against Lyme disease current where available