Many people assume ticks disappear once summer ends. In reality, ticks can stay active well into fall in many parts of the country, and some species are active whenever temperatures rise above freezing. In some regions, adult blacklegged ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, are especially active in autumn. With fall hikes, leaf piles and long grass, pets can encounter plenty of ticks this time of year.
Where Ticks Wait
Ticks do not jump or fly. They wait on tall grass, shrubs and leaf litter and climb onto animals or people brushing past. Fall leaf piles provide moist, sheltered places for ticks, and wooded trail edges are common hotspots. Yards that border woods or fields can also host ticks.
How to Do a Tick Check
Check your pet after every outing in grassy or wooded areas, and daily during active seasons. Run your fingers slowly through the coat, feeling for small bumps. Pay special attention to:
- In and around the ears
- Around the eyes and eyelids
- Under the collar
- Under the front legs and in the armpits
- Between the toes
- Around the tail and groin
Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed, especially in younger life stages, so look carefully. Outdoor cats need checks too.
Removing a Tick
If you find a tick, remove it promptly. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, crushing or squeezing the tick’s body. Clean the area afterward and wash your hands.
Avoid old folk methods like applying heat, petroleum jelly or nail polish. They are not recommended and may delay removal.
Some owners save the tick in a sealed bag or container with the date, in case their veterinarian wants to identify it. Watch the bite site and your pet’s health in the following weeks.
Signs to Report to Your Veterinarian
Tick-borne diseases can cause a range of signs, sometimes weeks or months after a bite. Contact your vet if your pet shows:
- Lameness or limping, which may shift between legs
- Fever, lethargy or loss of appetite
- Swollen joints or lymph nodes
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Redness or swelling at a bite site that does not improve
Prevention Is Year-Round in Many Areas
Many veterinarians recommend tick prevention throughout the year, especially in regions where ticks remain active in fall and on warm winter days. Products come in different forms, and some are species-specific. Some dog products are dangerous to cats, so never use a dog product on a cat. Ask your veterinarian which prevention is right for your pets and whether vaccination against Lyme disease makes sense for your dog’s lifestyle and location.
Clearing leaf litter, keeping grass short and creating a barrier of gravel or wood chips between lawns and wooded areas can also reduce ticks in your yard. A few minutes of checking after every walk is one of the simplest ways to protect your pets this fall.
