Tick Talk: What UK Pet Owners Need to Know This Summer

As temperatures rise and the countryside bursts into life, tick season is in full swing across the UK. These tiny parasites may seem insignificant, but they can pose serious health risks to both pets and people.

Whether you’re walking through fields, exploring woodland trails, or simply enjoying the garden, it’s important to know how to protect your cat or dog from ticks this summer.

Here’s what every UK pet owner should know.

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are small, spider-like parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles. In the UK, the most common species found on pets is the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus), although other types are becoming more widespread due to changing climates and increased travel.

They tend to lurk in:

• Long grass
• Woodland
• Moorland
• Urban parks and gardens

Ticks are most active between spring and autumn, but mild winters mean they can be found all year round.

Why Are Ticks a Problem?

While a tick bite is often painless, the real risk lies in what they can carry. Ticks can transmit a range of diseases, including:

• Lyme disease: A serious bacterial infection that can affect dogs and humans. In pets, it may cause fever, lameness, joint swelling, and lethargy.
• Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis: These diseases are less common in the UK but can be brought in from abroad. We have never seen a case at Kelperland. They affect red and white blood cells and can cause severe illness in dogs.

Prompt detection and removal of ticks is crucial to reduce the risk of infection.

How to Check for Ticks

After walks or time outdoors, give your pet a full-body check. Ticks often attach around the:

• Ears
• Neck
• Groin
• Between the toes
• Under the collar

They start small—like a pinhead—but grow as they feed and become easier to spot over a couple of days.

What To Do If You Find a Tick

If you find a tick:

• Use a tick removal tool (available from your vet or pet shop).
• Grasp the tick close to the skin and twist slowly anticlockwise to remove it—never pull or squeeze.
• Clean the area after removal, water and shampoo or dilute salty water.
• Never use fingers, tweezers, or burn the tick off, as this can increase the risk of disease transmission.

If you’re unsure how to remove a tick, or if the head remains embedded, give us a call for advice or assistance.

Preventing Tick Bites

The best way to protect your pet is with regular tick prevention. Some dogs and cats are more prone to ticks than others – eg your garden may back onto fields where deer roam, or woodland, your dog may bury his head into bracken all the time – these all increase the likelihood of ticks. Some dogs and cats will never get a tick in their whole lifetime.

Here at Kelperland we’re moving away from a blanket prevention strategy to a more risk based proactive treatment for ticks. Some of the tick medications are super strong and, whilst very safe on the dog or cat, we’re worried about the impact they’re having on the environment. That’s why we’ve launched our GREEN pet club – where we’re treating every other month instead. That being said, if your dog is particularly affected by ticks we may treat him every month in the summer or all year round. Talk to us about your pet and we’ll work out a plan together 😊

Special Note for Cat Owners

Tick protection for cats must be specifically formulated—some dog products (particularly those containing permethrin) are highly toxic to cats. Never use a dog product on a cat, and check with us if you’re unsure. Ticks are rare in cats but some cats do seem to be affected and need treatment and prevention.

Going Abroad with Your Pet?

If you’re travelling to Europe or further afield, your pet could be exposed to foreign ticks and tick-borne diseases. Speak to us about travel-specific protection and requirements well in advance of your trip.

In Summary

Ticks may be tiny, but their impact can be big. A combination of vigilance, prompt removal, and effective (risk-based) tick control is the best way to keep your pet safe and healthy throughout the summer months.

If you’d like advice on the best tick prevention for your pet, or help with tick removal, contact the practice. We’re here to help you keep your pet protected.