Dog walkers warned warm weather extends tick season
The Met Office has predicted that temperatures will rise above 20C during the first weeks of October, making for one of the warmest autumns in recent years. However, according to experts, this also means that the tick season will be longer than usual with the tiny parasites more likely to continue breeding and feeding in the UK’s grassland and wooded areas.
Dogs and their owners are most at risk as they are more likely to venture into the countryside on walks. Autumn is a popular time to seek out wooded areas due to the rich colours; however, whilst over a third (39%)* of dog owners visit the forest at least once a week, research out today from Bob Martin reveals nearly a quarter do not know of any associated risks from ticks.
In addition, many dog owners are not prepared, with less than half (49%) treating their pets preventatively for ticks, despite the fact that almost one third of dogs have had a tick.
Mark Spurlock, Head of Technical at Bob Martin, warns, “Ticks may seem harmless because of their size, but a small number carry diseases like Lyme disease and Babesiosis which can be very serious for animals and humans. We would always recommend prevention, so pet owners should be aware they need to continue their tick control longer this year because of the warmer weather. We expect tick season to extend until the end of October, so protect yourself and your family.”
Ticks are small, blood sucking arthropods which look like tiny spiders with a flatter body. Ticks do not swell in size until they have attached and started feeding, so immature ticks which are less than 1mm can be very difficult to spot.
The research from leading pet care brand Bob Martin also shows that less than a third (27%) check their pets for ticks when returning from a walk in the forest and only one in ten check themselves and their family.
Alice Mayne, Head of Recreation at the Forestry Commission, commented, “The forests look stunning at this time of the year and we have our highest number of visitors enjoying walks. While we want dog owners to enjoy the forests, we encourage a responsible approach. This means not only keeping control of your dog, respecting other visitors but also being vigilant for pests like ticks. Do a thorough check on yourself and your dog before leaving.”
For those that spot a tick, old fashioned methods are still being used with currently 25% of dog owners freezing, burning or pulling the tick out with their fingers, all of which increase the risk of diseases being passed on as the tick becomes stressed.
Grooming is a key way to monitor for ticks and could also prevent ticks from attaching and potentially spreading disease, however more than one in ten pet owners have never brushed their pet’s hair and if they do, only 10% groom to check for parasites like fleas and ticks.
Ticks can usually be removed quickly and safely using a special tick remover, without the need for a trip to the vet.
Bob Martin is working with the Forestry Commission England to encourage dog walkers to get out and enjoy forest walks, whilst remembering simple steps to protect themselves and their pets from ticks:
Top tips to avoid ticks
1. Prevention is always best – use Bob Martin Clear spot-on or tick spray which will kill ticks as soon as they attach
2. When out walking, stick to footpaths and avoid tick hotspots including long grass
3. After a walk but before going home or getting into the car, give your dog a quick brush so any loose ticks drop off. Also check yourself and your family
4. Regularly groom your dog so you can spot any ticks that have attached. Remove immediately with a tick remover
5. Monitor your dog for any change in behaviour or signs of lethargy which may indicate Lyme disease and go to your vet immediately
Visit: www.bobmartinvetcare.co.uk for more information.
