Tick Update 2026: Why Pet Owners Should Stay Vigilant This Season

Tick Update 2026: Why Pet Owners Should Stay Vigilant This Season

Whether it's a quick walk around the neighborhood, a weekend camping trip, or an afternoon playing in the backyard, every adventure with our pets creates memories we'll cherish. Unfortunately, those same adventures can also expose our dogs and cats to one of the fastest-growing concerns for pet owners: ticks.

Recent reports from health officials and veterinary experts show that 2026 has been another active year for ticks, making prevention more important than ever.

Tick Activity Is on the Rise

This summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that emergency department visits for tick bites reached their highest level for this point in the year since 2017. While these reports focus on people, they serve as an important reminder that our pets are sharing the same environments—and facing many of the same risks.

Experts also note that tick season is no longer confined to a few weeks in the spring. In many areas of the country, ticks remain active for much of the year, particularly during warm weather and mild winters.

It's Not Just Hiking Trails Anymore

Many pet owners assume ticks are only a concern deep in the woods.

The reality?

Ticks can be found in:

  • Your own backyard

  • Neighborhood parks

  • Walking trails

  • Tall grass

  • Brushy areas

  • Campgrounds

  • Around wood piles and landscaping

Your dog doesn't have to disappear into the wilderness to encounter a tick. Even a routine evening walk or game of fetch can provide the perfect opportunity for one to hitch a ride home.

Dogs Can Bring Ticks Home
One important reminder from the CDC is that dogs can carry ticks into your home, where those ticks may later attach to people or other pets.

That's why prevention is about more than protecting your dog—it's about helping protect your entire family.

After spending time outdoors, it's a good habit to:

✔ Check your dog's ears

✔ Feel through their coat

✔ Check between the toes

✔ Look under collars and around the neck

✔ Brush your pet after outdoor adventures

Why Tick Prevention Matters

Ticks are more than an annoyance. They can transmit diseases that affect both pets and people, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), tick-borne diseases continue expanding into new regions, making year-round awareness increasingly important.

The good news? Prevention is much easier than dealing with the consequences of an infestation or tick-borne illness.

Protect Their Everywhere

At Tevra Pet, we believe pets should be able to enjoy every adventure—whether that's exploring hiking trails, chasing squirrels in the backyard, or joining the family on vacation.

That's why we offer trusted protection designed to help keep pests from getting in the way of those moments.

Activate II™ for Dogs

  • Kills fleas

  • Kills and repels ticks

  • Repels mosquitoes

  • Easy monthly topical application

Actispot 2™ for Cats

  • Kills fleas

  • Easy monthly topical application

  • Designed specifically for cats

No matter where your adventures take you, protecting your pet starts before you head outside.

A Few Simple Ways to Reduce Tick Risk

Along with using a veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventive, experts recommend:

  • Keep grass trimmed around your home.
  • Avoid letting pets roam through tall grass and dense brush.
  • Perform a quick tick check after walks or hikes.
  • Wash pet bedding regularly.
  • Stay on a consistent monthly prevention schedule.

Small habits today can help prevent much bigger problems tomorrow.

Adventure More. Worry Less.

Our pets make every adventure better. They join us on road trips, backyard barbecues, camping weekends, and evening walks. They truly are in our everywhere.

Let's make sure ticks aren't.

Protect their everywhere with Activate II™ for Dogs and Actispot 2™ for Cats—and spend more time making memories, not worrying about pests.

Sources

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing Tick Bites and Preventing Ticks on Pets. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/

  • Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). 2026 Pet Parasite Forecast. https://capcvet.org/

  • Associated Press. "Experts say tick season is active earlier and lasting longer; prevention remains important." (2026)

Back to blog