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Ticks in the Long Grass: A Calm, Practical Summer Routine for Dog Owners (UK)
If your dog loves a proper countryside walk — through long grass, along hedgerows, or nose-down in the bracken — then tick checks are just part of summer life.
The good news: you don’t need to panic, and you don’t need to turn every walk into a worry. A simple routine (plus knowing what you’re looking for) goes a long way.
Why ticks are more common in summer
Ticks are most active in warmer months, and they’re often picked up in places many dogs adore:
- Long grass and meadow edges
- Woodland paths and leaf litter
- Bracken, heather and scrubby undergrowth
- Around livestock fields and deer habitats
They don’t jump or fly — they “quest” by clinging to vegetation and grabbing onto passing fur.
Tick prevention: keep it simple and consistent
Prevention is always easier than dealing with a hitchhiker later. Your best approach depends on your dog, your routine, and what your vet recommends.
A sensible prevention plan usually includes:
- Vet-recommended parasite treatment (ask your vet what’s best for your dog’s age, weight and health)
- Regular grooming/coat maintenance, especially for longer-coated dogs
- A post-walk check routine (more on that below)
If you’re unsure what prevention is appropriate for your dog, it’s worth asking your vet — especially if you walk daily in high-risk areas.
The 2-minute tick check (after every country walk)
Make this your “lead-off, water-on, quick check” habit. Ticks often head for warm, hidden spots.
Where to check first
Run your hands through the coat and feel for small bumps, paying attention to:
- Around the ears (inside and behind)
- Under the collar and around the neck
- The armpits and inside front legs
- Between the toes and around paw pads
- Around the tail base and under the tail
- Along the groin and belly
What a tick can feel like
Early on, a tick may feel like:
- A tiny, firm bump (like a small seed)
- A slightly raised lump you can “pinch” between fingers
If it’s already fed, it can look larger and rounder.
Tip: If your dog has a thick coat, doing this check while they’re relaxed (post-walk flop on the kitchen floor) is often easiest.
If you find a tick: what to do (and what not to do)
First: stay calm. Removing a tick promptly and properly is the goal.
Do
- Use a tick remover tool (the little hook-style tools are popular and easy)
- Part the fur so you can see what you’re doing
- Remove it as close to the skin as possible
- Wash your hands afterwards
- Keep an eye on the area for a few days
Don’t
- Don’t try to burn it off
- Don’t smother it in petroleum jelly/oil
- Don’t squeeze the tick’s body
- Don’t yank it out with fingers if you can avoid it
Those methods can increase the chance of irritation or incomplete removal.
If you’re not confident removing it, or your dog won’t stay still, it’s completely fine to call your vet for help.
After removal: what should you watch for?
Most tick bites are straightforward, but it’s wise to keep an eye on things.
Over the next days/weeks, contact your vet if you notice:
- Swelling, redness, heat, or oozing at the bite site
- Your dog seems unwell, unusually tired, off food, or feverish
- Lameness or stiffness that’s out of character
- Any rash or widespread irritation
If you’re ever unsure, a quick call to your vet is the safest move.
Make it a summer habit (without the stress)
Ticks are one of those “annoying but manageable” parts of rural dog ownership. A calm routine keeps it from becoming a big deal.
Your simple summer checklist
- Keep prevention consistent
- Do a 2-minute check after country walks
- Groom regularly (especially long coats)
- Keep a tick remover somewhere obvious (lead drawer, car, dog bag)