Companion Animals

Companion Animal Tick Prevention Welfare

Effective tick prevention in dogs and cats reduces tick-borne disease burden and the welfare impacts of tick parasitism.

Key Facts

Ticks transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis to dogs
Lyme disease causes joint pain, fever and neurological signs with significant welfare impact
The UK tick season has extended due to climate change with activity now possible year-round in mild areas
Licensed spot-on and collar products provide 4-8 weeks of tick prevention depending on product
Careful manual tick removal with a tick twister tool within 24 hours prevents most disease transmission

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne diseases cause significant suffering in affected dogs and may require prolonged treatment. Prevention through regular licensed product use and prompt tick removal is more welfare-positive than managing established infections. Climate change is expanding tick activity geographically and seasonally, making year-round prevention increasingly important.

What You Can Do

Use a licensed tick prevention product year-round especially if walking in woodland, heath or long grass
Check yourself and your pet for ticks after every walk in tick habitat
Remove attached ticks within 24 hours using a tick twister tool - never squeeze or twist
Consult your vet if your dog develops joint pain, fever or lethargy after tick exposure