The Posh Paw Blog

Summer is a season of long walks, tall grass, and the golden kind of quiet only found in the woods. But with that beauty comes a persistent little threat: ticks. These tiny hitchhikers thrive in warm, moist environments and often hide in places where our pets most love to roam.

Ticks may be small, but they can carry significant health risks—for both pets and people. That’s why understanding how to prevent them, spot them, and safely remove them is essential summer knowledge for any pet parent.

The Tick Terrain

Ticks thrive in tall grasses, shrubs, wooded areas, and even leaf litter. In rural regions like ours, they’re part of the landscape. That doesn’t mean we should panic—but it does mean we need to stay aware.

Dogs are most at risk, but cats who roam outdoors aren’t spared either. Ticks don’t jump or fly—they cling to passing animals or people, waiting on blades of grass or the edges of trails. Once aboard, they seek warm, hidden spots: behind the ears, under collars, in armpits, between toes.

Prevention Starts with Presence

The best prevention is attention.

Before heading out:

• Check the trail or walking area. Tall, unmanaged grasses? Dense brush? Ticks may be present.
• If possible, stick to open, sunlit paths or well-cut trails.
• Keep your dog on a leash when exploring dense areas—this limits deep dives into risky patches.

When you return:

• Run your hands through your pet’s coat slowly, feeling for any small, hard bumps.
• Pay special attention to warm, covered spots like the base of the tail, groin, armpits, ears, and neck.

Make it a ritual. After a summer walk, we check paws for burrs, bellies for mud, and coats for ticks. It’s part of the rhythm of caring.

Natural Tick Deterrents

While some pet parents opt for chemical preventives (and there are situations where they’re important), many prefer gentler methods when possible.

Here are a few natural options that can help:

• Apple cider vinegar spray: Mix one part ACV with one part water. Lightly mist your dog before walks (avoiding the face).
• Essential oil blends: Certain oils like cedarwood, lavender, and geranium are known to deter ticks. Use only pet-safe, properly diluted blends and test a small area first.
• Tick-repellent collars or bandanas: Cloth bandanas soaked in safe repellents and dried can help form a gentle shield.

It’s important to note: not every natural remedy works for every dog. And some essential oils are toxic to pets if misused. When in doubt, consult your vet—or someone you trust who knows animals well.

When You Find a Tick

Don’t panic. Ticks are easier to remove than we often think—what matters most is doing it properly.

You’ll need:

• A tick remover tool or fine-tipped tweezers
• A pair of gloves (optional, but wise)
• A small container or sealable bag
• Rubbing alcohol

Step-by-step

1. Part the fur gently and expose the tick.
2. Use the tool or tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
3. Pull upward slowly and steadily. Don’t twist or jerk.
4. Place the tick in a container with rubbing alcohol to kill it (and save it, in case your vet wants to identify it).
5. Clean the bite area with soap and water or pet-safe antiseptic.
6. Wash your hands and sanitize your tool.

Do not try to burn the tick, paint it with oil, or squeeze its body—these methods increase the risk of disease transmission.

Watch for After-Effects

Once a tick is removed, keep an eye on your pet for a few days:

• Redness or swelling around the bite
• Unusual tiredness or stiffness
• Loss of appetite
• Fever or general discomfort

If anything seems off, call your vet. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are treatable, but early intervention is key.

Tick Talk: A Seasonal Routine

In my home, tick checks are as natural as wiping paws or refilling the water bowl. We keep a small tick-removal kit by the door and a spray bottle near the leashes. It’s not fear-based—it’s just part of summer.

We can’t control every blade of grass. But we can prepare, notice, and respond with calm hands and clear eyes.

So let the dogs run through the field. Let them bury their noses in the tall green. Just meet them afterward with love, a good comb-through, and maybe a treat for standing still.

Final Thought from the Porch

I once found a tick between the toes of a dog who’d just come home from a lake hike. He didn’t flinch—but I did. It reminded me how quiet danger can be.

But with knowledge, that quiet becomes manageable. And with routine, it becomes just another moment of care.

Reste bien au chaud,
Mélanie Gagnon, Pet Care Advisor