11/06/2026
Ticks rank second only to mosquitoes in infectious disease spread to both pets and people. Ticks are small creatures that are closely related to spiders and can be predominantly found lurking in grassy areas, such as fields and meadows.
Varying in shape, colour and size, ticks are generally oval, flat and small: the size of a sesame seed when unfed, but once completely engorged with blood, they grow to the size and shape of a coffee bean. They look for hosts to latch onto, often by climbing to the top of a long blade of grass waiting for passing mammalian traffic, i.e. a sheep, cat, hedgehog, dog, or even you!
After taking your dog for a walk, it’s a good idea to check them for ticks. You can do this by moving your hands over their body to check for any unusual small bumps, if you find one, use a tick removal tool followed by antiseptic wipes or spray.
