Dog Ticks

Dog ticks come in two varieties in the continental United States. One type of dog tick isn't very dangerous to humans. The other type of dog tick is.

The American Dog Tick  

The American dog tick can transmit a disease called Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is a serious tick-borne disease and is potentially fatal to humans.

American dog ticks are reddish brown in color. The female American dog tick can be identified by a silver spot on the body. Male American dog ticks can be identified by silver lines along the body.

Adult American dog ticks are generally active between April and June, and tend to feed on large animals like cattle, deer, dogs--and humans.

Larvae of American dog ticks often feed on smaller animals like mice and squirrels.

Brown Dog Ticks

Like American dog ticks, brown dog ticks are reddish-brown in color. Brown dog ticks are different from most other ticks because brown dog ticks can live their entire life cycle indoors. Therefore they can be found in colder climates.

Indoor infestations can happen quickly once a few brown dog ticks find their way into your home. Typically, dogs will get them during a stay at a kennel. They may be hard to spot at first, and many homeowners don't see them until they appear on curtains and walls.

Brown dog ticks can cause several types of dog diseases, including tick paralysis. They're not generally regarded as dangerous to humans.

Dog Tick Prevention and Removal 

There are a number of other articles on this website that describe specific steps for preventing your dog from getting dog ticks, or removing a tick once one has gotten on your dog.

People living in tick-infested areas like woods or grasslands need to be especially careful when walking in tick infested areas. They should use tick repellents and check their clothing and themselves for the presence of ticks every few hours when they're outdoors, and immediately upon returning indoors.