Ticks transmit multiple serious diseases to dogs and cause localised welfare harm. Comprehensive prevention protects dog welfare and prevents difficult-to-treat infections.
Tick prevention is an essential welfare intervention for dogs in tick-endemic areas, which are expanding with climate change. The welfare consequences of tick-borne diseases can be severe, including fatal organ failure in cases of babesiosis or ehrlichiosis. Prevention through regular licensed acaricide products is highly effective and has excellent safety profiles. Routine tick checking after walks in tick habitat and prompt removal with tick hooks complements chemical prevention. Year-round treatment is now recommended rather than seasonal application as mild winters maintain year-round tick activity.