How to Fight Ticks in Dogs? | Guide from NattyPets

Your dog scratching after every walk? Checked their fur but found nothing?

73% (👀) of dogs in urban parks pick up at least one tick during May-June. That's nearly 3 out of 4 pups.

We're breaking down everything about ticks and how to prevent them 👇

More Ticks Now? Yes! But Why?

1️⃣ Climate change - warmer winters mean ticks survive year-round. If they used to die at 5°F (-15°C), now they winter over even at 23°F (-5°C). (damn)

2️⃣ Urbanization - parks become "islands" for wildlife that carry parasites. In Central Park (NYC) tick density increased 40% over the past 3 years.

3️⃣ Resistance to treatments - some tick populations adapted to older products. Permethrin-based drops that worked in 2020 now show only 65% effectiveness instead of 90%.

That's why your favorite drops might not protect like they used to.

⚠️ The Mistake 8 Out of 10 Owners Make

We surveyed 340 NattyPets clients in April 2025. 82% said they treat their dog "about once a month".

The problem is the word "about."

Most products work for 28-30 days. If you're 3-5 days late with treatment - your pup is already unprotected. And owners often forget the exact date.

Set a phone calendar reminder for a specific date each month. For example, every 1st. Set the reminder - impossible to forget.

Takes 30 seconds, but guarantees protection won't suddenly run out.

Which Products Actually Work? Here's What 👇

🔸 Fluralaner spot-on drops - 94% effectiveness, work for 12 weeks. One treatment replaces three months of worry.

🔸 Afoxolaner tablets - 91% effectiveness, work for 4 weeks. Convenient for dogs that hate drops.

🔸 Imidacloprid collars - 76% effectiveness, work up to 8 months. Good for budget protection, but need replacing after each bath.

🔸 Sprays - 62% effectiveness, require weekly application. Least reliable option for active dogs.

BUT: Don't combine multiple products at once (collar + drops). This doesn't double protection but can cause poisoning. Vets register 15-20 such cases monthly.

Pick one reliable method and stick to the schedule.

🔍 How to Check the Fur Properly

After every walk in a park or woods, spend 2 minutes checking. Here's how:

1️⃣ Run your palm against the fur - from tail to head.

A tick feels like a tiny ball the size of a poppy seed (if hungry) or a pea (if already fed).

2️⃣ Check "hot zones" - ears (inside and outside), neck, armpits, between toes, groin. Based on our observations, 68% of ticks attach there.

3️⃣ If you found a tick - remove it by twisting with a special tick remover (not tweezers!). Rotate counterclockwise 2-3 turns. The head shouldn't stay in the skin.

4️⃣ Treat the bite area with chlorhexidine.

❗ If after 5-7 days you notice redness, lethargy or fever - go to the vet. It could be babesiosis, which without treatment leads to kidney failure within 48-72 hours.

🐕 Real Story from Our Dog Walker

Olivia, NattyPets walker with 3 years experience:

"In June 2024 I walked a Labrador named Rex in Prospect Park (Brooklyn). The owners said they treated him with a collar a month ago. After the walk I found 4 ticks on Rex. Turned out the collar was a cheap knockoff - cost $15 instead of $60 for the original. The owners wanted to save money, but a week later Rex ended up at the vet clinic with babesiosis. Treatment cost $850 + 2 weeks of IV therapy."

Saving $45 turned into $850 in treatment and stress for the dog.

Where Are Most Ticks in the US (2024 Statistics)

We collected data from 120 NattyPets walkers about where they most often found ticks on dogs:

🔸 Prospect Park (Brooklyn) - 43% of cases. Most dangerous zones: wooded areas near the lake.

🔸 Forest Park (Queens) - 31% of cases. Tall grass + wildlife.

🔸 Central Park (Manhattan) - 18% of cases. Especially dangerous thickets near water.

🔸 Neighborhood parks - 8% of cases. Lowest risk, but it exists.

This doesn't mean you should avoid these places. But if you walk there - check your dog extra carefully.

Can't Check Your Pup After Every Walk?

Summer means heat, vacations, busy schedules. And your pup needs regular walks in safe places.

NattyPets walkers know which parks are safest, always check fur after walks, and notice the first signs of problems.

How it works:

1️⃣ Go to NattyPets.net

2️⃣ Register in 3 minutes

3️⃣ Choose a walker in your area

4️⃣ Indicate the date of last tick treatment in your dog's profile

First meet-and-greet with the walker is free. You'll meet, discuss the route, make sure they're reliable.

💚 A safe summer for your pup starts with proper protection