Ticks and Pets — A UK Guide to Tick Safety
Ticks are small arachnid parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. In the UK, the most common species affecting pets is Ixodes ricinus (the sheep tick or deer tick), which can transmit Borrelia burgdorferi — the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease — as well as other pathogens including Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis) and, in some regions, Babesia canis (babesiosis). Tick awareness has become increasingly important in the UK, as tick populations have expanded northward and into urban green spaces in recent decades due to milder winters.
Where and When Are Ticks Most Common?
Ticks in the UK are most active in spring (March–May) and autumn (August–November), when temperatures are mild and humidity is higher. They are most commonly found in areas with long grass, bracken, heather, woodland, and areas with deer or sheep — but ticks are now also well-established in urban parks, golf courses, and suburban gardens in many parts of the UK.
High-risk areas include the New Forest, Exmoor, the Yorkshire Moors, the Scottish Highlands, Thetford Forest, and much of South East England. However, ticks can be encountered almost anywhere in the UK that has suitable habitat. After any walk in long grass, heath, or woodland during tick season, thoroughly check your dog (and yourself and family members) from head to toe.
How to Safely Remove a Tick
The correct method of tick removal is important to minimise the risk of transmitting pathogens. Use a tick removal tool (a proprietary tick hook such as O'Tom Tick Twister or a similar product) rather than tweezers wherever possible, as specialised tools reduce the risk of compressing the tick body and regurgitating its gut contents into the host.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Twist gently in a smooth, even motion (anti-clockwise with most tools). Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not crush, squeeze, or twist sharply. Do not apply petroleum jelly, alcohol, or burn the tick — these methods can cause the tick to regurgitate, increasing infection risk. After removal, clean the bite site with antiseptic and wash your hands. Dispose of the tick in a sealed bag or container — do not crush it with bare fingers.
If the head or mouthparts remain embedded, contact your vet.
Signs of Tick-Borne Illness in Dogs
Lyme disease symptoms in dogs typically appear 2–5 months after the tick bite and include shifting lameness (different joints affected at different times), lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. Some dogs develop kidney damage from Lyme nephropathy — this is a serious complication requiring intensive treatment.
Anaplasmosis symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and thrombocytopaenia (low platelet count causing bruising and prolonged bleeding). Babesiosis (currently a notifiable disease in the UK with limited established cases) causes haemolytic anaemia, presenting as pale gums, weakness, and red or orange discolouration of urine.
If your dog develops any of these signs after a walk in tick-risk areas, mention tick exposure to your vet. Blood tests can confirm tick-borne diseases and guide treatment.
Tick Prevention for Dogs and Cats
Several effective tick prevention products are available for dogs and cats. These include spot-on treatments (applied to the back of the neck), tablets, and tick-repellent collars. Your vet can recommend the most appropriate product for your pet's lifestyle, size, and age. Many combined flea and tick prevention products are available on prescription or over the counter.
Never apply dog tick products to cats — some dog tick treatments contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can cause tremors, seizures, and death. Always use species-specific products and read labels carefully.
After walks in tick-prone areas, run your hands firmly through your dog's coat, paying particular attention to the head, neck, ears, groin, armpits, and between the toes — ticks prefer warm, dark, sheltered locations. Check yourself and your children too.