Ticks are small parasites that feed on the blood of animals and people. While they may look unpleasant, the main concern with ticks is that they can pass on infections, including Lyme disease. Ticks are most active during the warmer months and are commonly picked up in grassy or rural areas, especially where wildlife is present.
If you find a tick on your dog, it’s important to remove it promptly and correctly. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly in spring and summer, may benefit from regular tick prevention and your vet can help you decide what’s most suitable.
Ticks can be tricky to spot at first. When newly attached, they’re often no bigger than a pinhead and may look like a small lump or skin tag. As they feed, they swell and can grow to about the size of a small pea.
They are usually round or oval, shiny in appearance, and range in colour from brown or grey to pink or bluish grey. If you look closely, you may be able to see a tiny head and eight legs near the front of the body. As they are easy to miss when small, it’s a good idea to check your dog regularly after walks.
Ticks don’t jump or fly. Instead, they wait on grass or low vegetation and cling on when a dog brushes past. Once on your dog’s coat, they crawl along until they find a suitable place to attach and feed.
Ticks are most common between spring and autumn, but they can be active year-round in mild conditions.
You’re more likely to come across them in:
After walks, especially in higher-risk areas, run your hands gently over your dog’s body. Ticks often attach around the head, ears, neck, armpits, groin and tummy. Feeling for small bumps can help you spot them early, before they’ve had time to feed.
Removing a tick properly reduces the risk of infection. Using a tick-removal tool is the safest option and these are widely available from pet shops and veterinary practices.
In simple terms, removal involves gently parting your dog’s fur, sliding the tool under the tick, and slowly twisting until it comes away. Try not to squeeze the tick’s body, as this can increase the chance of infection. Once removed, check that no parts are left behind and dispose of the tick safely. If you’re unsure or worried about doing this yourself, please contact your local veterinary practice.
Never crush a tick with your fingers or try to burn it off or smother it with oils or creams.
It’s not possible to prevent ticks completely, but you can reduce the risk by combining sensible precautions with parasite control.
Some helpful steps include:
Always speak to your vet before starting any new treatment, especially if you have both dogs and cats, as some dog products are toxic to cats.
If you’ve removed a tick and your dog seems well, there’s usually no need to worry.
However, contact your vet if:
Some ticks can carry infections. While these illnesses are uncommon, it’s important to be aware of them.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can affect dogs and people. Symptoms in dogs may include:
These signs can also be caused by other conditions, so always speak to your vet if you’re concerned. Lyme disease can usually be treated successfully if caught early.
Other tick-borne diseases, such as babesiosis or tick-borne encephalitis, are extremely rare in Ireland but can occur, particularly in dogs that have travelled abroad.
Yes, ticks can attach to people as well as animals. While they can’t survive on humans for long, they can still bite and potentially pass on infections. Please see the HSE’s advice here.
