Tick infestations are usually seasonal in the UK between March and June, and again from August to November, but there is still a risk of picking them up all year round.
Ticks survive by feeding off mainly bird and mammal hosts such as farm animals, wildlife, our cats and dogs, and us humans. As well as causing irritation on the skin when feeding, they are a source of transmission of diseases.
Ticks are mainly found in areas of rough grazing, moorland, woodland and areas where wild deer and rabbit are in abundance.
Try to make it part of your daily routine to check your dogs and cats for ticks. Also you will not be able to feel if a tick has latched onto you so please key an eye out for them on you too!!
If you do find a tick please make sure you use the appropriate equipment such as tick tweezers to ensure you remove the whole tick. You can buy these from local pet shops or vets. Please do not use tweezers to remove ticks as putting pressure on the tick’s body can release saliva into your animal increasing the risk of spread of any disease they may carry. Pulling on the tick can also risk leaving the mouthpart in the skin, causing an abscess to develop in time.
If you are worried about your pet having a tick or have any questions please contact your local vet.
To help prevent ticks you can treat your cat or dog with a tablet, spot on treatment from the vet or you can buy collars for them to wear.
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