Ticks Are Active Earlier Than You Think

TICK SEASON - IS YOUR PET PROTECTED?

As winter fades and temperatures begin to climb, many pet owners are eager to spend more time outdoors with their dogs. Spring walks, trail adventures, and backyard play are great for pets but warmer weather also signals the return of tick season.

Many people assume ticks are only active in the middle of summer. In reality, ticks often emerge much earlier than expected, which means pets can be exposed long before mosquito or flea season feels fully underway.

When Do Ticks Become Active?

Ticks become active when environmental temperatures consistently rise above **4°C (39°F)**. Once snow melts and the ground begins to thaw, ticks that overwintered in leaf litter and brush can begin searching for a host.

That means in Ontario, tick activity often begins in **early spring**, and in milder years can start even sooner.

Why Ticks Are a Concern

Ticks are not just unpleasant pests. They can transmit diseases that may affect your pet’s joints, kidneys, immune system, and overall health.

Some of the most recognized tick-borne illnesses include:

• Lyme disease

• Anaplasmosis

• Ehrlichiosis

Pets do not need to be deep in the woods to encounter ticks. Exposure can happen during:

• Neighbourhood walks

• Parks

• Hiking trails

• Cottage trips

• Backyards visited by deer or wildlife

Signs of Tick-Borne Illness

Some pets show no symptoms at first. Others may develop:

• Lethargy

• Fever

• Lameness or limping

• Reduced appetite

• Swollen joints

How to Protect Your Pet

Tick prevention works best when started early. Waiting until summer may leave pets unprotected during the first wave of activity.

We recommend:

• Year round tick prevention

• Checking your pet after outdoor time

• Removing ticks promptly

• Keeping grass trimmed in your yard

• Booking regular wellness visits

If temperatures are warming up, ticks may already be active. Starting prevention early is one of the best ways to protect your pet.

Fun Fact: Fleas Are Incredible Jumpers

A flea can jump the equivalent of more than 100 times its body length. If humans could do that, it would be like jumping the length of a football field.

This amazing ability is one reason fleas spread so easily between pets and into homes.

Fun Fact: Ticks Don’t Jump or Fly

Many people think ticks leap from trees or jump onto pets—but they actually do neither. Ticks wait on grasses, shrubs, or brush with their front legs stretched out in a behaviour called questing. When a pet or person brushes past, they grab on and climb aboard.

That means even a quick walk through tall grass or brush can be enough for tick exposure.