Ticks on dogs and cats: prevention and safe removal

Why prevention is so important and what pet owners should know

Ticks are one of the most common parasites in dogs and cats. As soon as temperatures rise, tick season begins for many animals. But ticks are not just annoying - they can also transmit various diseases and thus endanger the health of your four-legged friend.

This makes it all the more important to deal with the topic and develop a suitable prevention strategy together with the vet.

A tick itself usually only causes a small injury to the skin. The main problem is that ticks can transmit pathogens.

The most well-known tick-borne diseases include:

Lyme disease is transmitted by bacteria.

Possible symptoms include:

This disease is becoming increasingly common in Germany.

Possible symptoms include:

The so-called “dog malaria” is caused by protozoa and can be very severe.

Possible symptoms:

In certain regions, ticks can transmit the TBE virus. Dogs get sick much less often than people, but the risk is still often discussed.

Due to milder winters and changing climate conditions, ticks are now active almost all year round in many places.

Many pet owners still think:

"Ticks only exist in summer."

In fact, ticks can become active at temperatures as low as around 7°C.

After every walk, the dog or cat should be thoroughly checked for ticks.

Particularly popular are:

The skin there is usually thinner and easier to access.

Many pathogens are not transmitted immediately.

The sooner a tick is discovered and removed, the lower the risk of transmission can be.

Daily searching often only takes a few minutes and can make an important contribution to protecting your animal.

If a tick is discovered, it should be removed as soon as possible.

The following are helpful:

The following applies:

Oil, glue, nail polish or similar methods are generally not recommended. These can cause the tick to release additional saliva or intestinal contents.

After removal, the area should be observed for a few days.

Pay attention to:

If there are any abnormalities, a vet should be consulted.

Many pet owners want tick protection to be as natural as possible.

Important to know:

“Herbal” does not automatically mean safe, tolerable or effective.

Essential oils or home remedies are often recommended.

It should be noted:

That's why you should always consult your vet, even when using natural products.

The right precaution depends on many factors:

General recommendations are therefore difficult.

What is good for one dog does not automatically have to be good for another dog or cat.

Tick protection should always be chosen individually.

The vet may consider:

This allows you to find a solution that suits the animal in question.

Many cat owners think:

"My cat stays indoors, so she doesn't need tick protection."

Ticks can also enter the home via:

People, clothing and other pets can carry ticks indoors.

The risk is lower, but not completely eliminated.

Good protection often consists of a combination of:

No protection offers a 100% guarantee. Rather, the goal is to reduce the risk as much as possible.

Ticks are much more than just annoying parasites. They can transmit various diseases and are now found in many regions almost all year round.

Regular checking, correct removal of ticks and individually tailored prevention help to provide dogs and cats with the best possible protection.

It is important not to rely solely on internet tips or home remedies, but rather to develop a suitable strategy together with the vet.