As temperatures begin to rise in March and April, ticks become increasingly active in Ontario. Warmer weather means more outdoor adventures for pets—but it also means greater exposure to ticks and the diseases they can carry.
As a leading
Brampton veterinarian, the team at McQueen Animal Hospital encourages pet owners to start thinking about tick prevention early in the season, before tick populations peak.
Why Ticks Are a Concern for Pets
Ticks are small parasites that attach to animals and feed on blood. During feeding, they can transmit several serious diseases to pets. In Ontario, the black-legged tick (commonly known as the deer tick) is particularly important because it can transmit Lyme disease.
Other tick-borne illnesses affecting dogs may include:
- Anaplasmosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Babesiosis (less common in Canada)
These diseases can cause symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and joint pain. If your pet shows signs of extreme distress or sudden illness after a bite, seeking
emergency care veterinary services is vital to ensure a quick recovery.
Ticks become active when temperatures consistently rise above about 4°C (39°F). In Southern Ontario, activity typically begins in early spring. Even urban areas are seeing rising tick populations, making it more important than ever for local pet owners to consult a Brampton veterinarian.
How to Protect Your Pet From Ticks
Preventing tick bites is the best way to protect your pet and your home.
1. Use Veterinary-Approved Tick Preventatives
Modern tick preventatives are highly effective and usually come in:
• Monthly chewable tablets
• Topical treatments
• Long-lasting collars
Your veterinarian can recommend the most appropriate option based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health.
2. Check Your Pet After Outdoor Activities
After walks or outdoor play, examine your pet carefully, especially around:
• Ears
• Neck and collar area
• Between the toes
• Under the tail
• Around the eyelids
Ticks are easiest to remove before they attach for long periods.
3. Maintain Your Yard
Simple landscaping practices can reduce tick exposure:
• Keep grass trimmed
• Remove leaf litter
• Avoid dense brush where ticks thrive
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you find a tick attached to your pet:
1. Use fine-tipped tweezers.
2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
3. Pull upward steadily without twisting.
4. Clean the area afterward.
Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, as this may increase the chance of disease transmission.
If you are unsure how to remove it safely, a veterinary clinic can help.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you find a tick attached to your pet, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward steadily. Avoid squeezing the body, as this may increase the chance of disease transmission.
If you are unsure how to remove it safely or if the head remains stuck, your local Brampton veterinarian clinic can help you finish the process and test the tick for diseases.
Start Prevention Early
Tick prevention works best when started before activity peaks. At McQueen Animal Hospital, we provide comprehensive care—from seasonal parasite prevention to routine
Pet Dental Care and urgent emergency care veterinary support.
At McQueen Animal Hospital, we can recommend safe and effective tick prevention tailored to your pet’s needs.
If you have questions about protecting your dog or cat from ticks this season, our team would be happy to help.
📞 Call 905-455-7387 to schedule an appointment or discuss the best tick prevention options for your pet.
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