They are typically an annoying but harmless creature, but if allowed to feed they can cause blood loss, paralysis, skin infections and infect the host with Lyme disease.
With this in mind it is important to check your cat or dog regularly and remove them if you do find one.
1. How to find one
Simply run your fingers through your pet’s fur looking for bumps in the skin. Ticks can range in size from a small dot to a grape, depending on how long they’ve been on your animal.
2. How can you remove it?
The longer the insect is on the host’s skin the higher the risk of infection, so pull it off as soon as you see it. Using a fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it off quickly. Do ensure the insect has come off whole and then wash the area with soap and water - check the rest of their body for other ticks just in case.
3. What next?
Give your vet a call and let them know that you found a tick. They may want to perform a blood test to rule out an infection.
4. How to prevent it happening again
You can buy a special collar which can protect against ticks and fleas or use a topical treatment like a shampoo to reduce their chances of being bitten.
