Ticks on Dogs: Signs, Risks, and What Every Pet Parent Should Know

Ticks on dogs aren’t just unpleasant to find — they’re a genuine health risk that’s becoming harder to ignore. Tick-related insurance claims filed through Spot Pet Insurance rose 12.8% year-over-year, ¹ climbing from 180 claims (Jan 1 – Apr 24, 2025) to 203 claims (Jan 1 – Apr 24, 2026). ¹ And the geographic footprint is expanding: 9 states that reported zero tick claims in early 2025 have reported cases in the same period of 2026. ¹

If you’ve ever pulled a tick off your dog and wondered whether to worry, this is what you need to know.

What Are Ticks and Why Do They Target Dogs?

Ticks are arachnids — closer relatives of spiders than insects — that survive by attaching to a host and feeding on blood. Dogs are ideal hosts: they move through grass and brush at ground level, have warm skin, and can’t self-groom the way cats do.

There are several species that commonly affect dogs in the United States, including the black-legged tick (deer tick), the American dog tick, the lone star tick, and the brown dog tick.² Each has a slightly different geographic range, preferred habitat, and disease-transmission profile — which is one reason tick risks vary so much by region.

Where Are Ticks on Dogs Most Common? What the Claims Data Shows

Tick cases aren’t evenly distributed — and the pattern is shifting. Based on Spot Pet Insurance claims data from January 1 through April 24, 2026: ¹

Top states by total claims (2026) ¹

¹All claims data: Spot Pet Insurance internal data, Jan 1 – Apr 24, 2025 vs. 2026.

The most notable shift is geographic. The Northeast corridor — historically a tick hotspot — is actually declining, with NJ dropping 48%, CT down 30%, and NY down 17%.¹ Meanwhile, states like IA, MD, TN, NV, and SC reported zero cases in early 2025 and are now appearing in the data. ¹

This is consistent with broader national trends. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has documented the ongoing geographic expansion of tick vectors across the U.S., noting that tick-borne disease incidence tripled in people between 2004 and 2016 — much of it driven by ticks spreading into previously non-endemic areas.⁴

What Diseases Can Ticks Give Dogs?

Finding a tick is stressful, but the bigger concern is what ticks can transmit. The most common tick-borne diseases in dogs include:³

One important caveat: transmission typically requires a tick to be attached for 24–48 hours, depending on the disease.³ This is why prompt removal matters.

How to Check Your Dog for Ticks

After any time spent outdoors — especially in wooded areas, tall grass, or brush — run your fingers through your dog’s coat and feel for small bumps. Ticks prefer warm, protected areas, so pay extra attention to:

Note that larval and nymph-stage ticks are very small and easily missed, even during a thorough check.⁵ Ticks can range in size from a poppy seed (unfed nymph) to a small grape (fully engorged adult).

How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

If you find a tick that has attached, here’s the correct approach:

Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat — these methods can cause the tick to regurgitate into the wound, increasing disease risk.

Symptoms of tick-borne illness can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days — or in some cases several months — to appear after a bite.⁶ If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior, energy level, or appetite in the weeks following removal, contact your vet and mention the tick exposure.

How to Prevent Ticks on Dogs

Prevention is significantly more effective than treatment. Both the CAPC and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommend maintaining all pets on tick prevention year-round — not just seasonally — because some tick species remain active at temperatures above freezing, and tick-borne disease risk has expanded geographically.⁴

Your vet can help you choose the right product based on your dog’s size, age, health status, and where you live. Options include:

What Does Tick Treatment Cost?

Veterinary costs for tick-borne illness vary widely depending on the disease, how early it’s caught, and your location. Blood tests to screen for tick-borne diseases typically start around $80, and a full diagnostic workup can run considerably more depending on the tests required.⁷ The average vet visit cost for Lyme disease is $205, with more complex cases reaching well over $2,000 when extended treatment or hospitalization is involved.⁸

Treatment for confirmed Lyme disease or anaplasmosis typically involves a course of doxycycline. While the antibiotic itself is generally affordable, a 2-week course can cost up to $400 in some areas, and the cost of antibiotics for dogs has increased in recent years.⁷ Cases that progress to complications — such as Lyme nephritis — can involve hospitalization and significantly higher costs.

If your dog spends time outdoors, a pet insurance plan that helps cover tick-borne illness diagnosis and treatment can help take the financial pressure off an already stressful situation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ticks on Dogs

Can ticks make dogs seriously ill?

Yes. Several tick-borne diseases — including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever — can cause serious illness in dogs. Some can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.³ Early detection and year-round prevention are the most effective safeguards.

How quickly can a tick transmit disease to my dog?

Most tick-borne diseases require the tick to be attached for 24–48 hours before transmission occurs, though some pathogens can transmit more quickly.³ This is why checking your dog after every outdoor outing and removing ticks promptly is important.

What should I watch for after finding a tick on my dog?

Monitor your dog for 4–6 weeks after a tick bite. Signs to watch for include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness, joint swelling, and unusual discharge from the eyes or nose.³ If you notice any of these, contact your vet and mention the tick exposure.

Are ticks only a problem in certain states?

Ticks are present across the entire United States, though species and disease risk vary by region. Tick-related insurance claims through Spot have now been reported in 30 states during the first months of 2026, ¹including 9 states that had no claims in the same period of 2025. ¹ No region is tick-free.

How often should my dog be on tick prevention?

Both the CAPC and AAHA recommend year-round tick prevention, even in colder climates, since ticks can remain active during winter months and the geographic range of tick vectors continues to expand.⁴ Talk to your vet about the best option for your dog’s lifestyle and geographic area.

Can I use a human tick repellent on my dog?

No. Products containing DEET are toxic to dogs. Only use tick prevention products specifically formulated for dogs, and always follow the dosing instructions based on weight.

_{The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.}