Though your dog’s chances of getting bitten by a tick may be higher in the summer and other warmer months (when people and pets tend to spend more time outdoors), ticks can actually be a nuisance all year long. And just like for you, a tick bite for your dog could equal a serious tick-transmitted disease. Many ticks are more active in warmer weather, meaning your chances of getting bitten by one is a lot higher, especially when hiking.
Ticks can transmit diseases to dogs if left attached for more than 16 hours[1]. It can be very difficult for people to see ticks and their bites, especially when the ticks are in their immature stages.
If you plan to hike with your dog, ensuring your dog is on a safe and effective tick-preventative medication will help reduce the chances of transmission of organisms that cause diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tick paralysis, and anaplasmosis.