Companion Dog Tick and Lyme Disease Welfare

Tick-borne disease including Lyme disease causes welfare harm in dogs and humans - prevention protects both species.

Key Facts

An estimated 10,000 dogs are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually in the UK
Lyme disease causes joint pain, lethargy, and in some cases kidney disease in dogs
The deer tick (Ixodes ricinus) is the primary Lyme vector in the UK
Tick repellent products including spot-ons, collars, and tablets provide effective protection
Prompt tick removal within 24-48 hours reduces Lyme transmission risk substantially
Dogs are sentinel species for tick and Lyme disease risk in environments also used by people

Welfare Considerations

Tick and Lyme disease welfare in dogs involves both direct animal suffering and the role dogs play in human health. Dogs that bring ticks into homes and onto people increase human Lyme disease risk. Effective tick prevention protects dog welfare from tick-borne disease and reduces human exposure. Regular tick checks after outdoor activity are essential regardless of preventive treatment.

What You Can Do

Use veterinary-prescribed tick preventive products appropriate for your dog's lifestyle and tick exposure
Check your dog thoroughly for ticks after walks in tick habitats including woodland, heathland, and long grass
Remove ticks promptly using a twist-and-pull tick removal tool - never squeeze the body
Consult your vet if your dog develops lethargy or joint pain after potential tick exposure
Discuss tick vaccine availability with your vet as new canine Lyme vaccines become available