Ticks on Dogs: The Complete Guide to Prevention, Removal & Keeping Your Dug Safe This Season

It's that time of year again. The grass is long, the countryside is calling, and somewhere out there in the bracken and the heather, ticks are waiting.

Tick season in the UK typically runs from March through to October, peaking in spring and early summer — which means right now, if you're walking your dog through woodland, moorland, long grass, or anywhere with deer or sheep, the risk is real.

The good news? With the right knowledge, ticks are manageable. Here's everything you need to know.

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What Are Ticks — and Why Should You Care?

Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that attach themselves to your dog's skin and feed for several days. They're not just unpleasant — they can transmit serious diseases, the most well-known being Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi).

In the UK, the most common species affecting dogs is the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus), found across Scotland, Wales, and rural England — particularly in areas with deer, sheep, or dense vegetation.

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The Harm Ticks Can Do

Lyme Disease

The most serious tick-borne illness in the UK. Symptoms in dogs can include:

• Lameness or joint swelling (often shifting between legs)
• Lethargy and loss of appetite
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms can appear weeks or even months after the bite, making diagnosis tricky. Left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.

Other Tick-Borne Diseases

While less common in the UK, dogs can also contract:

• Babesiosis — a serious red blood cell infection, now present in parts of England
• Anaplasmosis — causes fever, joint pain, and lethargy
• Tick paralysis — rare but caused by a toxin in tick saliva; can cause progressive weakness

Local Reactions

Even without disease transmission, tick bites can cause localised swelling, irritation, and secondary infection — especially if the tick is removed incorrectly.

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How to Check Your Dog for Ticks

After every walk in high-risk areas, run your hands slowly through your dog's coat, paying particular attention to:

• Around the head, ears, and neck
• Between the toes and under the legs
• Around the groin and tail base
• Under the collar

Ticks start tiny — the size of a poppy seed — and swell as they feed. A fully engorged tick can be the size of a small grape. If you find one, don't panic — but do act quickly.

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How to Remove a Tick Safely

Use a tick removal tool (a tick twister or tick hook — available from most vets and pet shops for a few pounds). These are designed to remove the tick cleanly without squeezing the body.

Step by Step

1. Part the fur to expose the tick
2. Position the hook as close to the skin as possible, under the tick's body
3. Twist gently in one direction (don't pull straight out)
4. The tick should release cleanly — check the head is still attached to the body
5. Drop the tick into a sealed bag or container and dispose of it
6. Clean the bite site with antiseptic
7. Monitor the area over the following days

What NOT to Do

• Don't squeeze the tick's body — this can push infected fluid into your dog
• Don't use Vaseline, nail varnish, or heat to "suffocate" the tick — these methods are ineffective and increase the risk of disease transmission
• Don't pull straight out with your fingers — you risk leaving the mouthparts embedded in the skin

When to See a Vet

• If the head remains embedded after removal
• If the bite site becomes red, swollen, or hot
• If your dog shows any signs of illness in the weeks following a tick bite

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Preventative Treatments: Pros & Cons

There's no single perfect solution — the right choice depends on your dog's lifestyle, health, and how high-risk their environment is. Here's an honest breakdown:

Spot-On Treatments (e.g. Frontline, Advantix)

• ✅ Easy to apply, widely available
• ✅ Effective against fleas and ticks combined
• ✅ Monthly protection
• ❌ Can be washed off by swimming or frequent bathing
• ❌ Some dogs have skin sensitivity reactions
• ❌ Permethrin-based products (like Advantix) are toxic to cats — important if you have both

Tick Collars (e.g. Seresto)

• ✅ Long-lasting (up to 8 months)
• ✅ Consistent protection without monthly application
• ✅ Water-resistant
• ❌ Higher upfront cost
• ❌ Some dogs find them irritating, particularly around the neck
• ❌ Must fit correctly — too loose and they're ineffective

Oral Tablets (e.g. Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica)

• ✅ Highly effective — kills ticks that attach before they can transmit disease
• ✅ Not affected by bathing or swimming
• ✅ No mess, no residue on coat
• ❌ Prescription-only in the UK — requires a vet visit
• ❌ Some owners prefer to avoid systemic treatments
• ❌ Rare reports of neurological side effects in sensitive dogs (discuss with your vet)

Natural & Complementary Approaches

• ✅ No chemical exposure
• ✅ Good for dogs with sensitivities or owners who prefer a more natural approach
• ❌ Evidence base is limited — most natural repellents have not been clinically proven to be reliably effective
• ❌ Should not be used as the sole prevention method in high-risk areas
• ⚠️ Many essential oils are toxic to dogs — never apply undiluted oils to your dog's skin without veterinary guidance

Our honest take: For dogs regularly walking in woodland, moorland, or rural Scotland, a vet-recommended prescription treatment combined with regular physical checks after walks is the most reliable approach. Natural methods can complement — but shouldn't replace — proven prevention in high-risk environments.

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How Nutrition Supports Your Dog's Resilience

Prevention doesn't stop at treatments. A dog with a strong immune system is better equipped to fight off infection and recover from the stress of parasites.

Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids support healthy skin — your dog's first line of defence. Our Nourish Grain Free Salmon with Trout, Sweet Potato & Asparagus is packed with natural omega-3s, while antioxidant-rich ingredients like sweet potato and asparagus help support immune function. High-quality protein keeps energy levels and recovery strong.

Browse our full Nourish Grain Free Adult range to find the right recipe for your dug this season.

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The Bottom Line

• Check your dog after every walk in high-risk areas
• Use a proper tick removal tool — and know how to use it
• Choose a preventative treatment that suits your dog's lifestyle (and talk to your vet)
• Don't rely on natural repellents alone in high-risk environments
• Watch for symptoms of Lyme disease in the weeks after any tick bite

Tick season doesn't have to be stressful. A little preparation goes a long way — and your dug will thank you for it. 🐾

Always consult your vet before starting or changing any parasite prevention treatment.