Dogs: How To Check For Ticks
- Everwell Pets
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
How To Stay Safe & Tick-Free
As much as we love spending time outdoors with our dogs, there's one pesky problem that can turn an afternoon adventure into a worry—ticks. These bloodsucking parasites aren’t just uncomfortable for our pets; they carry a host of deadly diseases. While ticks can be found all year round, they tend to be more active when the weather warms up, especially in grassy areas and shrubs, where they wait for your dog (and you) to walk by and latch on.
Ticks are widespread throughout the United States, but certain areas are more heavily affected due to factors like climate, vegetation, and wildlife populations. Here are the regions where ticks are most prevalent:
Northeastern U.S.: States like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are hotspots for black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks), which are responsible for spreading Lyme disease.
Mid-Atlantic States: Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina also have high tick populations, particularly the black-legged tick and the dog tick, both of which can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
Upper Midwest: Areas like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan are known for deer ticks and other species, especially in the spring and summer months when ticks are most active.
Southeastern U.S.: Georgia, Florida, and Alabama are home to a variety of ticks, including dog ticks and lone star ticks, which can carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Ehrlichiosis.
Pacific Northwest: Washington and Oregon are also known for tick populations, particularly in rural and forested areas. Western black-legged ticks in this region can transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne relapsing fever.
In general, ticks thrive in wooded areas, tall grasses, and places with high humidity, so areas that meet these criteria—like the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast—tend to have the highest concentrations. If you're hiking or spending time outdoors in these regions, make sure to check yourself and your pets for ticks regularly to prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses.[2]
Why Is Tick Prevention So Important?
Ticks aren’t just creepy; they’re carriers of serious diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis, which can be transmitted after a tick has been attached to your dog for as little as 48 hours. Tick prevention is a must, and the best defense is to stay on top of tick checks after every outdoor adventure.
As Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer at the AKC, advises: “If the tick has been attached for about 48 hours, it can transmit a disease, such as Lyme disease, or cause an infection. So, that’s why you should check your dog and yourself as soon as you get inside.” And don’t forget to keep an eye on your dog for any changes in behavior, like loss of appetite, low energy, or joint pain—all potential signs of a tick-borne illness. [1]
Where to Check Your Dog for Ticks
Ticks can be sneaky, so it’s important to check every part of your dog’s body. While they can latch on anywhere, there are six areas that are the most common hiding spots:
1. Under the Collar
A lot of dogs wear their collars almost all the time, and ticks can attach underneath them without you even realizing it. Ticks often remain hidden under collars until they’ve grown large enough to be visible. Make it a habit to remove your dog’s collar during tick checks, especially if they’ve been in areas where ticks are common.
I have been the lucky finder of many ticks over the years in clinical practice. I have most commonly found them around the neck especially in fluffy dogs, hiding under or close to the collar. In my opinion this is the number one spot to double check!
2. Head and Ears
Dogs are naturally curious and stick their heads into all sorts of places, making them prime targets for ticks. Their ears are especially inviting, with lots of crevices where ticks can hide out. Be sure to check not just the outer ear but also the inside of the ear—ticks love to hang out in these warm, sheltered areas. If your dog is shaking their head or scratching at their ear, that's a big red flag that something is amiss!
3. Toes
Ticks are sneaky little creatures, often hiding where you’re least likely to see them—in between your dog’s toes or even on the pads of their feet. If your dog starts licking or chewing their feet more than usual, it could be a sign that there’s something bothering them—and that something might be a tick!
4. Tail & Groin Area
Ticks absolutely love dark, moist areas, and your dog’s tail and groin are prime spots they tend to hide. These areas are often overlooked during routine checks, especially if your pup has thick fur, making them perfect hiding places for ticks. To catch them before they become a problem, grab a fine comb and carefully lift the fur around the base of the tail, then move on to check the groin (the inside of the thighs on the rear legs). If your dog loves belly rubs, this might actually be the easiest position to check their undercarriage for those pesky ticks. It's a simple step that can make a big difference in keeping your dog tick-free!
5. Eyelids
Ticks love to hide in places that are easy to miss, and your dog’s eyelids are a perfect example. They can often be mistaken for skin tags or crusty eye buggers. Unfortunately, by the time you realize it's a tick on your dog’s eyelid, it may have been attached long enough to increase the risk of disease transmission. Check the eyelids carefully during your tick search to catch ticks early.
6. Under Their Front Legs (Armpits)
Just like humans, dogs have armpits, and these areas provide a dark, sheltered spot for ticks to attach. It's also an area that’s tough for your dog to reach and for you to see easily, so be sure to check this region thoroughly when you’re scanning your dog for ticks.
What to Do if You Find a Tick
If you find a tick on your dog, don’t panic! I’ve got a simple and effective way to remove it safely. Just the other day, while working on a dog, I felt a small lump between her shoulder blades. At first, I thought it was a new skin tag, but the owner was a bit skeptical, so I decided to take another look. Sure enough, it was a tick! I grabbed the body, and the owner went to grab a baggie and some peppermint essential oil. A couple of drops of essential oil (peppermint is best, lavender will work in a pinch) onto the tick, and it backed right out. The trick is never to pull the tick out, as you risk leaving the head embedded in your dog, leading to infection. It worked like a charm, and we safely dropped the tick into a baggie—it was still alive, but no longer attached to the pup!
Tick Testing
If you’ve removed a live tick from your dog and want to get it tested for diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or anaplasmosis, there are a few options to send it off for testing. Start by placing the tick in a sealed bag or container (like a small plastic baggie, it will live for days) and keep it cool—don’t freeze it, but storing it in the fridge is a good idea. You can then send the tick to a lab specializing in tick-borne disease testing, just google "tick testing service". These labs will analyze the tick for the presence of pathogens and provide a detailed report. Be sure to follow the specific submission instructions on their websites to ensure proper handling. Testing ticks for disease can be a great way to determine if your dog has been exposed to any harmful pathogens and to decide on the next steps for your pup's health.
In Summary
Ticks are a year-round concern for both us and our pets, but by staying vigilant and checking your dog regularly and incorporating natural tick prevention, you can catch ticks early and reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. So next time you’re out hiking or spending time in the great outdoors with your pup, make sure to add a tick check to your list of things to do when you get back inside!
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Citations:
[1] 7 Places to Look for Ticks on Your Dog, By Harriet Meyers. American Kennel Club