Tick prevention protects both you and your pet
Ticks become active early in the spring, and you may find them in your pet’s fur or attached to their skin. Once a tick has bitten and starts feeding on blood, it can transmit tick-borne diseases to both pets and humans. Learn how to protect your pet —and yourself — from ticks.
Tick-borne diseases
The tick (Ixodes ricinus) is an arachnid found throughout most of Sweden. When feeding on blood, it can transmit various tick-borne diseases to your pet. Ticks can also move from your pet to you, posing a health risk to humans as well.
The most significant tick-borne diseases affecting humans include:
- Borrelia (Borrelia burgdorferi)
- Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum)
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
Preventing tick-borne diseases is especially important for pet owners.
Choosing the right tick prevention treatment
We recommend continuous protection for your pet throughout tick season. Various tick-prevention treatments are available, including:
- Collars (for cats and dogs)
- Spot-on solutions (for ferrets, cats, and dogs)
- Chewable tablets (for dogs)
- Sprays (for cats and dogs)
The most suitable option depends on factors such as your pet’s species, age, weight, and whether other pets are in the household. Family dynamics also matter—for example, whether there are young children at home, if your pet sleeps in the same bed as family members, or if they are frequently exposed to water (bathing or swimming).
Tick treatments work by either repelling ticks, killing them, or both. If a product only has a killing effect, the tick must first bite the pet for the treatment to take effect. Learn more about different products and their effectiveness here.
Note! Always read the package leaflet carefully before using any tick treatment. Under unfavorable conditions, the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases cannot be entirely eliminated, even when using tick prevention products.
Common side effects of tick treatments
The most common side effects of chewable tablets are mild and temporary gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other tick treatments may cause temporary skin reactions, including redness, swelling, itching, or hair loss. If your pet shows symptoms after receiving a tick treatment, consult your veterinarian.
Remember daily tick checks
All pets that spend time outdoors, even those treated with tick prevention products, should be checked daily for ticks and have them removed as needed.
How to remove a tick from your pet
To remove a tick, grasp it as close to the skin as possible and gently pull it out using a twisting motion. You can use your fingers or specialized tools like tick tweezers, tick hooks, or a tick lasso. If part of the tick remains embedded in the skin, the body will usually expel it naturally through an inflammatory reaction.
Dogs can also be vaccinated against Borrelia, but this does not eliminate the need for other tick treatments, as the vaccine only protects against Borrelia and does not repel ticks.
If you have questions about the most suitable tick prevention for your pet, please contact your veterinarian. Please note that some treatments require a prescription from a vet.
