Walks through grassy areas and parks in summer are a joy for dogs, but it's also the season when the risk of encounters with ticks, mosquitoes, and bees goes way up.
1. Tick bites
Ticks live in grass and leaf litter and attach to a dog's skin to feed on blood. Beyond simple itching, they can transmit tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, so extra caution is warranted.
What to check after a walk
- Check the inner ears, between the toes, armpits, and neck carefully (ticks like to hide in these spots).
- A small bump or pea-sized lump could be a tick.
If you find one
- Pulling it off by hand can leave the mouthparts embedded in the skin, which is risky.
- Use a proper tick-removal tool, or have it removed at the vet if you're unsure.
2. Mosquito and other bug bites
Most mosquito bites cause mild, temporary swelling that goes down on its own, but if the swelling is severe or your dog scratches it into a wound, a vet visit is needed. If a bee sting causes rapid facial swelling or breathing difficulty, that could be an allergic shock — head to the vet immediately.
3. Prevention habits
- Stick to well-maintained trails rather than areas with tall, dense grass
- Brush through the whole coat and check your dog over after every walk
- Only use tick/insect repellent products made specifically for pets (human products have different ingredients and can be dangerous)
4. When to see a vet
- If a bite site keeps growing or starts oozing
- If your dog seems lethargic or loses their appetite
- If the face or area around the mouth swells rapidly after a bite
Spending just 5 minutes checking your dog over after a summer walk lets you catch and handle most bug-related issues early.
