Ticks are more than just a nuisance—they are dangerous parasites capable of transmitting serious, long-term diseases to both pets and humans. Prevention is the key to keeping your furry companions safe year-round.
The Life Cycle of a Tick
Ticks go through four stages in their life cycle:
- Egg
- Larva (six legs)
- Nymph (six legs)
- Adult (eight legs)
- Female ticks lay thousands of eggs, often under leaves or debris.
- Larvae typically attach to small animals like rodents or birds, where they can acquire diseases.
- After feeding, larvae drop off, molt into nymphs, and then seek a new host.
- Nymphs feed, drop off again, and molt into adults.
- Adult ticks target larger animals, including dogs, cats, and humans. After feeding and mating, females fall off to lay eggs.
This cycle can take about two years to complete.
Important: Disease transmission often occurs when ticks regurgitate enzymes to keep blood from clotting during feeding. This may take up to 48 hours or longer, but in some tick species, transmission happens much faster. Early removal greatly reduces disease risk.
The 6 Most Common Ticks in the United States
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
- Diseases: Tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), tick paralysis.
- Range: Found across the U.S. (except Rocky Mountains and some southwestern states).
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
- Diseases: Ehrlichiosis, tularemia, cytauxzoonosis, Heartland virus, rickettsiosis, STARI.
- Range: Primarily southern states, but found in northern regions too.
- Active: Early spring through late fall.
Blacklegged (Deer) Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
- Diseases: Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus.
- Range: Eastern U.S., spreading south and west into Texas and South Dakota.
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
- Diseases: Babesiosis, RMSF, Ehrlichiosis, canine hepatozoonosis, anaplasmosis.
- Range: Most common in southern states, but adaptable nationwide.
- Unique: Can infest homes and kennels.
Winter Tick (Dermacentor albipictus)
- Diseases: Not known to transmit to pets or humans.
- Range: Nationwide, primarily on moose, deer, and elk.
- Active: Fall and winter.
Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
- Diseases: Rickettsiosis, canine hepatozoonosis.
- Range: Gulf Coast states, but has spread as far north as Ohio.
- Active: Late summer to early fall.
How to Keep Ticks Off Pets
Ticks pose serious threats, but prevention is highly effective:
- Veterinary-Recommended Products:
- Chewables: Bravecto, Nexgard
- Collars: Seresto
- Topicals: Frontline Plus
- These treatments repel or kill ticks, but they need several hours to take effect. Always apply or administer well before outdoor activity.
- Year-Round Protection: Even in colder months, ticks can remain active, making consistent use of preventives essential.
- Regular Checks: After walks or hikes, inspect your pet’s ears, neck, belly, and paws for ticks.
