The more you know, the better

you can protect against TICKS

Did you know?

  • Adult ticks can feed all year long! Cold weather does not stop ticks from actively hurting your pet.

  • Indoor pets are still at risk since ticks can come inside by attaching themselves to clothing previously worn outdoors!

  • Some ticks can complete their entire lifecycle indoors.

THE TICK LIFE CYCLE

The lifecycle of a tick consists of four main stages: egg, larvae, nymph, and adult. The length of each stage in the tick lifecycle can vary greatly depending on factors such as species, environmental conditions, and availability of hosts. The entire lifecycle can take several weeks to years to complete.

  • 01 EGG sTAGE

    The lifecycle begins with the female tick laying thousands of eggs in the environment, usually in moist, sheltered areas such as leaf litter or soil.

  • 02 Larvae STAGE

    In this stage, the eggs hatch into tiny, six-legged larvae known as "seed ticks" and appear very small and flat in appearance. Ticks seek out small hosts, such as rodents or birds, to feed on their blood. After feeding, they detach from the host and molt into the next stage.

  • 03 NYMPH STAGE

    After molting, the nymph emerges with eight legs. Nymphs are still relatively small but larger than larvae. They begin to seek a larger host, such as mammals or larger birds, for their second blood meal, and after feeding, they detach and molt into the final stage.

  • 04 adult STAGE

    The final stage is the emergence of the adult tick with its full-size and eight legs. Adult ticks seek larger hosts, including mammals like deer, dogs, cats, and even humans. After feeding on blood, the females engorge significantly, sometimes reaching many times their original size. Mated females then drop off the host to lay eggs to complete the lifecycle.

TYPES OF TICKS

& THE DISEASES THEY CARRY

Deer Ticks

Also known as black-legged ticks, these ticks are carriers of Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, anaplasma, and babesiosis which can affect both pets and humans. Lyme disease can cause joint pain, fever, fatigue, and other serious health issues if left untreated. The deer tick is known for being in the northeast and upper Midwest and more recently, has been found throughout the eastern half of the United States.

Brown Dog Ticks

Brown dog ticks can be found throughout the entire country and can also live in indoor climates. They can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) causing symptoms like headache, fever, and rashes.

American Dog Ticks

These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia, two potentially severe illnesses that affect both pets and humans. Symptoms can include fever, lethargy, and skin rash.

Lone Star Ticks

Found in the southern and eastern regions of the United States, these ticks can transmit diseases like Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI).

Gulf Coast Ticks

Common in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, these ticks can transmit rickettsiosis, leading to conditions similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Brown Ear Ticks

These ticks are more commonly found in Africa and can transmit diseases like Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH RISKS

Disease is enough reason to protect your pet from ticks, but there are even more issues ticks can initiate when present on your pet.

01 Discomfort and Irritation

When ticks bite, they inject saliva into the host to prevent blood clotting, causing local irritation, redness, and itching. Repeated tick bites can lead to discomfort and even allergic reactions in some pets. 

02 Anemia

In cases of severe infestations, especially in young or small animals, ticks can consume enough blood to cause anemia, which is a condition characterized by a low red blood cell count. Anemia can lead to weakness, lethargy, and other health complications.

03 Secondary Infections

When pets scratch, bite, or irritate the tick bite site, it can lead to open sores, which may become susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.