As soon as it warms up, they're back: ticks. These tiny bloodsuckers are far more than a nuisance – they can transmit serious diseases to your dog. The good news: with the right prevention, a quick check after every walk and the correct removal technique, you can dramatically reduce the risk. In this guide you'll learn when ticks are active, which diseases they transmit, how to remove a tick properly and how to protect your dog reliably.
When Are Ticks Active?
The classic "tick season" from spring to autumn no longer really applies. Ticks become active at ground temperatures of around 7–8 °C – and thanks to increasingly mild winters, they remain a threat almost all year round in many regions. The ornate dog tick (also called the meadow tick) in particular copes with lower temperatures and is therefore out earlier and for longer.
What this means for you: Don't rely on the calendar. Check your dog regularly throughout the year – and after every walk in the warm months.
Why Ticks Are Dangerous for Dogs
The real risk isn't the small amount of blood the tick draws, but the pathogens it can transmit while doing so. The most important tick-borne diseases in dogs include:
- Lyme disease (borreliosis): The best-known tick-borne disease, caused by bacteria. Around one in three ticks in Germany carries the pathogen. Typical signs are fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and – often only weeks later – lameness and swollen joints.
- Anaplasmosis: Also bacterial, usually transmitted by the common castor bean tick. Symptoms resemble Lyme disease: fever, reluctance to eat, pale mucous membranes, lameness.
- Babesiosis ("dog malaria"): Caused by single-celled parasites that destroy red blood cells. Mainly transmitted by the meadow tick and can be severe and life-threatening. Signs include high fever, anaemia and dark urine.
- Ehrlichiosis: Originally a Mediterranean disease that is now appearing more often here too, driven by travel and climate change.
- TBE (tick-borne encephalitis): A viral disease that – though rarely – can affect the central nervous system.
Important to know: Not every tick bite leads to illness. And the pathogens are usually not transmitted immediately, but only once the tick has been feeding for several hours. That's exactly why fast removal is the most effective immediate measure. Symptoms also often appear with a delay and are unspecific – if your dog seems unwell after a tick bite, it's a case for the vet.
Where Do Ticks Prefer to Sit?
Ticks favour warm areas with thin skin and little fur. When you search, pay particular attention to:
- Head, muzzle and the areas around the eyes
- Ears and the inside of the ears
- Neck and nape
- Armpits and chest
- Belly and groin
- Between the toes and on the paws
Run your fingertips slowly through your dog's fur and feel the skin – an attached tick feels like a small nodule.
How to Remove a Tick Correctly – Step by Step
The sooner the tick is out, the better. Here's how to do it right:
- The right tool: Use tick tweezers, a tick hook, a tick card or a tick loop. Ordinary tweezers can easily squeeze the tick – special tools are better.
- Get close to the skin: Grip the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible, right at the tick's head – not on the engorged body.
- Pull out slowly and straight: Pull the tick out evenly and straight. Don't twist, don't jerk and don't squeeze the body – otherwise pathogens can enter the wound.
- Check the spot: Make sure the tick has been fully removed, then disinfect the bite site.
- Dispose of the tick: Crush it in a piece of paper or put it in a container with high-percentage alcohol. Don't just flush it down the toilet – ticks survive water.
Hands off the home remedies: Oil, glue, nail polish or alcohol before removal are off-limits. They irritate the tick, causing it to release more saliva and therefore potentially more pathogens. If a tiny remnant of the mouthparts stays in the skin after removal, this is usually harmless – the body normally expels it on its own. If the spot becomes inflamed, however, ask your vet.
After the Tick Bite: Observe
Make a mental note (or take a photo) of the bite site and keep an eye on your dog over the following days and weeks. See a vet if symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, lameness, swollen joints or pale mucous membranes appear – even if the bite was some time ago. Many tick-borne diseases can be detected with a blood test and treated well, the earlier the better.
How to Protect Your Dog from Ticks
There's no such thing as 100% protection, but you can significantly reduce the risk. Tested products in particular have proven effective:
- Spot-on treatments: Applied to the skin at the nape, usually working for several weeks.
- Tick collars: Release their active ingredient over a longer period.
- Chewable tablets: Work from the inside and kill ticks as soon as they bite.
What matters with all of these is regular, uninterrupted use. Amber necklaces or essential oils as sole protection are not advisable – their effectiveness isn't scientifically proven. The Lyme disease vaccine is no substitute either: it only covers certain pathogen strains. Which product best suits your dog, your region and your habits is something to discuss with your vet.
And the most important free protection remains the routine: check your dog after every walk. This moment, by the way, is also a good time to check that the collar and dog tag still sit correctly. If you spend a lot of time out in nature, you'll find more safety tips in our guide Hiking with Your Dog: Staying Safe.
Conclusion
Ticks are no longer purely a summer topic – and they're more than just a nuisance. Anyone who searches their dog regularly, removes any ticks found quickly and correctly, and relies on effective, vet-recommended tick protection shields them from most risks. If your dog seems off after a bite – off to the vet.
Safety Starts at the Collar
Whether after a walk or while travelling: the daily check is also the best moment to make sure your dog's identification is in place. At Bark'n'Tag you'll find personalised dog tags made from durable stainless steel in three sizes – for those times when your dog does head off exploring after all. To learn why the tag is the perfect complement to the microchip, read Dog Tag vs. Microchip.
Discover all designs and sizes in our Shop.
Sources: This information is based on guides from Parasitenportal, Fressnapf and veterinary articles on tick-borne diseases in dogs.
Note: This article is for general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you notice signs of illness or have questions about the right tick protection, please consult your vet.