Do Ticks Jump?
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Few insects are more capable of inducing dread in the hearts of pet owners than ticks—and finding one on your dog is often enough to set off a world of questions and worry.
Where did the tick come from? Did it jump on your dog? Are there more? Can ticks actually jump? Here’s what to know about how that tick found its way to your pup.
Do Ticks Jump Onto Our Pets?
The truth is that ticks can’t jump at all. Unlike fleas, which are able to spring long distances, a tick’s legs aren’t built for jumping even small distances. Ticks are, however, adept climbers and fast walkers.
Ticks attach to our pets through a technique called questing, in which they stand on pieces of vegetation (like grass) and wave their front legs. When a potential host walks by, they simply grab on as the animal brushes the foliage.
When a dog touches whatever the tick is perched on, the tick quickly grasps onto the dog and quickly moves through the fur, looking for an area where the skin is exposed. Once they find the spot, the tick bites the skin and, in the process, injects an anticoagulant into the dog to prevent the blood from clotting.
A tick may remain in the same location on a dog for several days while feeding. Many diseases transmit very quickly after the tick attaches, including:
Many of these diseases can also affect humans. For the health of you and your dog, it’s important to prevent ticks from attaching in the first place instead of simply relying on removing ticks once they’re found.
Can Ticks Jump From Dogs to Humans?
Luckily, no—ticks can’t jump onto humans, either. However, they can crawl onto us from our pups.
When we pet our dogs or snuggle up close in bed, a tick can simply walk off the dog and onto us. In fact, ticks sometimes prefer to feed on humans because we have less fur, making it easier to find a good place to rest and feed.
How To Stop Ticks From Attaching to Your Pet
The best way to stop ticks from attaching to your dog is to use a tried-and-true tick preventative. These come in many forms, including oral medication, topical solutions, and flea collars.
Which option is best for your pup depends on many different factors. Your veterinarian can help you sort out the options. Popular and effective preventatives include:
Some tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, have a vaccine for dogs. But many others don’t, which makes preventing ticks even more important for the health of your pet. Talk to your vet about the best tick prevention methods for your dog.
Because of the number of diseases transmitted by ticks and the potential for people to also be exposed to the parasite through our pups, take care to prevent these parasites from getting into your house.
