It's hard to deny that ticks are small, sneaky, and totally bad for your dog and your home.
One moment, your dog is happily sniffing around in the backyard. The next, you find yourself googling "weird moving bump on my dog." Spoiler alert — it is not a new mole. Ticks are not just creepy. They carry diseases, they annoy your pets, and they might even snuggle right into your couch. Gross.
So how do they get in? How do ticks find your dog? Most importantly, how do you stop this from happening?
Let’s look at five shockingly common (and kind of sneaky) ways ticks are attaching to your dog and crawling into your life.
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Other Animals
The main culprit: Wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, or even birds.
These furry freeloaders are not just stealing your tomatoes out of the garden. They are dropping off ticks while they are at it. When wild critters or wandering raccoons explore your yard, they bring along little passengers.
Tip: Install motion-activated lights. Lock your trash bins. Consider fencing in areas with dense vegetation. Think of your yard like a VIP club. If these animals do not have a ticket, they should not be allowed in.
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The Great Outdoors
The main culprit: Walking, hiking, even a quick bathroom break.
Ticks are like clingy friends who tag along without asking. You take three steps into the yard to grab a stick, and suddenly, you have a tick hitching a ride on your knuckle.
Tip: After every walk or outdoor adventure — even a quick backyard visit — do a tick check. Focus on your dog’s ears, paws, armpits, and tail. Those are tick hot spots and popular hiding places.
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Bad Landscaping
The main culprit: Yards with tall grass, leaf piles, and shady corners.
If your yard looks like a scene from a wilderness survival show, congratulations. Ticks think it is paradise. They love moist, shady, and unkempt spaces.
Tip: Keep your grass short. Rake up yard debris. Try creating a gravel or mulch border between your yard and any wooded areas. You can also use natural treatments like cedar oil or pet-safe pesticides designed to keep ticks away.
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When Sharing Vet Advice Is Not Caring
The main culprit: Other dogs at the park, groomer, or daycare.
Ticks do not care if your dog's best friend "Sierra Tornadus" is up to date on vaccines. They will happily leap from one dog to another like it is a game of parasite hopscotch.
Tip: Ask your groomer or doggy daycare about their tick prevention routine. If you are unsure about how clean or protected other dogs are, consider skipping the sniff-fest at the dog park.
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Leaving the Door Wide Open
The main culprit: Skipping tick prevention or assuming ticks are only a summer issue.
Just because it is not warm outside does not mean ticks are gone. Ticks can survive and stay active even in cooler temperatures. If you are not looking for them, they are probably already looking for you — and your dog.
Tip: Put your dog on year-round tick prevention as recommended by your vet. No skipped months. Start a weekly "tick patrol" where you give your dog a full-body check along with some belly rubs and treats. Your dog gets love and attention, and you get peace of mind.
https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/parasites/how-did-my-dog-get-ticks
