There’s nothing we love more than seeing our dogs frolic through fields, investigate trails, and roll in the grass—but their fun and carefree outings can quickly become dangerous because of the unwanted hitchhikers on their fur. Some bugs are merely an annoyance, while others can actually bring hazards into your home that put both you and your pup at risk.
Let’s review the five of the most common and dangerous pests dogs could unknowingly bring into your home, the signs to look for, and how to thwart them.
1. Ticks
These little bloodsuckers not only are gross—they are massive disease carriers!
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Why They Are Dangerous:
Ticks will attach to your dog’s skin and suck their blood. Ticks are good at hiding and can generally go unnoticed for several days. They can also carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and many other diseases that affect both animals and people. -
Symptoms or Risk Indicators:
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Bumps or scabs on your dog’s skin
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Excessive scratching or licking
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Lethargy or sudden fever
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Unexplained swelling or stiffness of joints
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Preventative Measures:
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Vet-approved tick repellent or collar
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Avoid tall grass and wooded areas when the tick population is at its highest
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Perform a thorough check of your dog (and yourself!) after an outdoor excursion
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Trim your yard and maintain a clean and tidy yard
2. Fleas
They may be small, they jump, and they reproduce rapidly.
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Why They Are Dangerous:
Fleas can do more than itch—fleas can cause allergic reactions, infections of the skin, and even tapeworms. And once they get into your house, they are very difficult to get rid of. -
Symptoms or Risk Indicators:
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Constant scratching or biting
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Small black flecks (flea dirt) in your pet’s fur
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Hair loss, especially right around the tail
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Agitation or sudden irritability
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Preventative Measures:
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Administer monthly flea treatments or pills
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Frequent washing of bedding materials and vacuuming
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Have other pets treated too
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Consider natural flea-repellent sprays for outdoor use
3. Mosquitoes
Yep—even those buzzing little pests are a problem for dogs, just as they are for us.
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Why They’re Dangerous:
Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting heartworm disease, which is capable of killing canines, and might not exhibit symptoms until it is too late (it can be asymptomatic for up to 6 months!). -
Symptoms or Risk Indicators:
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Cough or trouble breathing
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Lethargy or disinterest in exercise
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Weight loss
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Swollen belly from fluid
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Preventative Measures:
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Use heartworm preventatives as prescribed by your veterinarian
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Avoid walking your dog at dusk or near any kind of standing water
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If you’re able, install screens for windows and doors
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Have pet-safe mosquito repellents available for outdoor use
4. Spiders (Brown Recluse or Black Widow)
Not all are harmless.
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Why They’re Dangerous:
There are spiders that have venom that can cause harmful reactions. Not to mention, once they’re inside, they like to nest in the corners of your house. -
Symptoms or Risk Indicators:
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Swelling or redness at the bite site
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Shaking or trouble walking
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Vomiting or signs of fever
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Open wound or skin necrosis (in severe cases)
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Preventative Measures:
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Shake out your dog’s bedding or gear before bringing them inside after outdoor time
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Store your shoes and blankets away (not just left out where smells can attract bugs)
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Vacuum and wipe down the corners of your house regularly
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Seal up any cracks that spiders can get in
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When you return home from camping or hiking trips, do a thorough inspection of where you're placing your gear before bringing it inside
5. Ants (Especially Fire Ants)
Small but powerful (not in a good way).
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Why They’re Dangerous:
Fire ants bite and sting, and their venom can lead to severe pain, allergic reactions, and/or infection from repeated stings. -
Symptoms or Risk Indicators:
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Swelling or redness on paws, nose, or belly
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Extreme licking or biting at the site
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Hives or rash
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Trouble breathing (rare allergic reactions)
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Preventative Measures:
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Watch where your dog is playing and avoid visible ant mounds
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Treat your yard with pet-safe ant control products
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Pick up any food scraps or trash that might be attracting ants
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Wash your dog’s paws and fur after spending time in known high-risk areas
Don’t Wait Too Late
You owe it to your dog to protect it from the world... including nature’s uglier surprises. But, most of these situations are preventable with a little knowledge and preparation.
Now go take action:
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Schedule a quick vet check-up
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Stock up on pest-prevention tools
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Inspect your yard and equipment
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Share this article with your fellow dog owners
Let’s change the world for our dogs—bark and wagging tails to bug play bags!
