can dogs get ticks all year round

I’m standing in my Portland backyard in late November, brushing my golden retriever, Leo, after a morning walk through the misty park. As I run the comb through his fur, I pause—a tiny, dark speck clinging to his shoulder, legs wiggling. “A tick? In November?” I mutter, grabbing tweezers. If you’re a new dog owner, you might assume ticks disappear when leaves fall, but the reality is far different. “Can dogs get ticks all year round?” isn’t just a seasonal curiosity—it’s about protecting your pup, understanding these resilient pests, and fitting into your community’s pet care rhythms.

Ticks are surprisingly hardy, thriving in more seasons than you’d expect. These blood-sucking parasites don’t die off with the first frost; they survive by hiding in leaf litter, tall grass, or even warm nooks like under decks. In mild climates—think the Pacific Northwest or the South—temperatures rarely drop low enough to kill them, so they stay active year-round. Even in colder regions like Chicago, a January warm spell (32°F or above) can wake them from dormancy. A vet in Minneapolis shared a story from last December: a beagle came in with three ticks after playing in a sun-warmed bush, where the microclimate stayed 10 degrees warmer than the air. Ticks need just one thing to survive—blood—and your dog’s warm body is their target, no matter the month on the calendar.

Preventing ticks all year means consistent habits, not seasonal fixes. Start with vet-recommended tick preventatives—products with ingredients like fipronil or selamectin work even in cold weather (ask your vet which matches your region’s tick species). After every walk, check Leo thoroughly: run your hands over his ears, armpits, and between toes, where ticks love to hide. In yards, rake leaf piles and trim grass to eliminate hiding spots. For apartment dwellers, vacuum floors and wash his bedding weekly—ticks can hitch a ride on shoes and settle in carpets. A common mistake? Stopping preventatives in fall: vets in Boston see a surge in Lyme disease cases each April, traced to untreated winter tick bites that went unnoticed.

Year-round tick care ties into being a responsible pet owner in your community. First, stay legally compliant: rabies vaccines are mandatory in all U.S. states, and many dog parks or apartments require proof of up-to-date shots. When you walk Leo, always carry poop bags—cities like Seattle fine up to $250 for leaving waste, and it keeps shared spaces clean. If Leo fusses during tick checks, never scold him—offer a treat after each gentle pat, turning the chore into bonding time. In apartments, wipe his paws after walks to avoid tracking ticks indoors, and mention tick sightings to neighbors—community awareness helps keep everyone’s pets safe.

Ticks don’t take vacations, and neither should your prevention routine. Watch Leo now, nuzzling my hand after his checkup, tail thumping as I set down his post-brush treat. Safe, healthy, and tick-free—that’s the goal, whether it’s sunny July or frosty January.