Ticks

Ticks and dogs

Overview

Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to your dog's skin to feed on your dog's blood. There are two basic types of ticks:  soft ticks and hard ticks.  Hard ticks are slow feeders, taking several days to finish their blood meal. Soft ticks are fast feeders and in a matter of hours they can enlarge with blood and blow up like a balloon, swelling to 50 times their normal size.

Ticks and cats

Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to your cat's skin and feed on your cat's blood. There are two basic types of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks. Hard ticks are slow feeders, taking several days to finish their blood meal and usually live on your cat through all of their life stages. Soft ticks are fast feeders and in a matter of hours they can enlarge with blood and blow up like a balloon, swelling to 50 times their normal size. Soft ticks usually leave the cat after a blood meal and reproduce in the environment.

Ticks and cats

Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to your cat's skin and feed on your cat's blood. There are two basic types of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks. Hard ticks are slow feeders, taking several days to finish their blood meal and usually live on your cat through all of their life stages. Soft ticks are fast feeders and in a matter of hours they can enlarge with blood and blow up like a balloon, swelling to 50 times their normal size. Soft ticks usually leave the cat after a blood meal and reproduce in the environment.

Ticks and dogs

Overview

Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to your dog's skin to feed on your dog's blood. There are two basic types of ticks:  soft ticks and hard ticks.  Hard ticks are slow feeders, taking several days to finish their blood meal. Soft ticks are fast feeders and in a matter of hours they can enlarge with blood and blow up like a balloon, swelling to 50 times their normal size.

Dog and puppy vaccinations

When your dog was a puppy, he received protection against infectious diseases from antibodies passed in his mother's milk. But these antibodies soon dissipated, leaving him vulnerable. Fortunately, effective vaccines are available that can protect your dog against many diseases.