It's Tick Season. Here Are the Latest Guidelines 2025

Actually, when is it NOT tick season? Unless temps stay well below 35 degrees F, these little critters can be on the move.

But, you say, there’s snow on the ground. Think if there’s snow, you’re safe? Think again! Snow cover actually provides insulation for ticks, allowing them to survive even when air temperatures drop below freezing. They can emerge quickly when the snow melts, and temperatures rise, even briefly. This is why many veterinarians and researchers have documented tick attachments on dogs year-round, even in cold climates.

This is a photo of a Tick Bull’s Eye found on one of my dogs. Yes, Dogs can get bull’s eyes too!

Protecting Our Dogs: Latest Guidelines for Tick Prevention and Treatment

Living in upstate New York with three dogs, I’ve learned that tick prevention requires vigilance and knowledge of the latest protocols. Whether you have an active dog exploring tall grass or lap dogs lounging in the garden, here’s what you need to know about keeping your dogs safe from ticks in 2025.

Current Tick Prevention Recommendations

The veterinary community now recommends a multi-layered approach to tick prevention:

Year-round prevention (even in winter, as ticks can become active during warm spells)
Oral preventatives (considered more reliable than topical treatments)
Regular testing for tick-borne diseases at annual checkups
Environmental management to reduce tick populations in your yard

Latest Prevention Products

Modern veterinary medicine offers several highly effective options:

Oral preventatives (like Simparica Trio or NexGard)
Preventatives that combine tick, flea, and heartworm protection
Seresto collars (for dogs who can’t tolerate oral medications)
Natural alternatives (though these should be discussed with your vet for efficacy)

Daily Tick Checks

Perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, focusing on:

Between toes and paw pads
Inside ears and around ear bases
Under the collar
Around the tail
In skin folds
Under front legs
Around the groin area

Current Protocol for Tick Removal

If you find an attached tick, the latest recommendations are:

Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
Pull straight up with steady pressure
Clean the bite area with antiseptic
Save the tick in a sealed container with the date
Document the bite with a photo and location on your dog

When to Contact Your Vet

Get to your vet if:

You notice signs of infection around the bite site
Your dog shows symptoms like lethargy, lameness, or loss of appetite
You can’t remove the entire tick
Your dog has multiple tick bites

Latest Understanding of Tick-Borne Diseases

Research shows that different diseases can be transmitted at different rates:

Lyme disease: typically takes 36-48 hours
Anaplasmosis: can transmit in as little as 24 hours
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: as quickly as 4-6 hours

Yard Management Strategies

Current recommendations for reducing tick populations:

Keep grass short
Create barriers between wooded areas and lawn
Remove leaf litter promptly
Consider professional yard treatments
Use cedar mulch in garden areas (naturally tick-resistant)

Natural Prevention Supplements

While not replacements for prescribed preventatives, some supplements may help:

Garlic (in safe, dog-specific formulations)
B-complex vitamins
Apple cider vinegar (added to water)
Coconut oil (both topical and internal)

Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before starting any new prevention protocol. The best protection comes from combining vigilant prevention, regular checking, and prompt action when ticks are found.

Full disclosure here: Personally, I usually do try to incorporate as many alternative approaches as I can. But having had a dog who died from developing a neurological disorder because of Lyme, this is one place where I can’t be aggressive enough. I hate those little buggers!

Comprehensive Overview Guide to Tick Prevention Products for Dogs (2025 Update)

Prescription Oral Preventatives

Simparica Trio

- Active ingredient: Sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel
- Protects against: Ticks, fleas, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms
- Duration: Monthly
- Pros: Comprehensive protection, highly effective
- Cons: Prescription required, relatively expensive
- Average cost: $25-35/month

NexGard

- Active ingredient: Afoxolaner
- Protects against: Ticks and fleas
- Duration: Monthly
- Pros: Chewable, palatable
- Cons: Only covers ticks/fleas
- Average cost: $20-25/month

Bravecto

- Active ingredient: Fluralaner
- Protects against: Ticks and fleas
- Duration: 3 months
- Pros: Longer-lasting protection
- Cons: Higher upfront cost
- Average cost: $60-65/3 months

Topical Preventatives

K9 Advantix II

- Active ingredients: Imidacloprid, permethrin, pyriproxyfen
- Duration: Monthly
- Pros: Repels and kills ticks
- Cons: Can’t use around cats, may leave residue
- Average cost: $15-20/month

Frontline Plus

- Active ingredients: Fipronil, (S)-methoprene
- Duration: Monthly
- Pros: Safe for households with cats
- Cons: Some ticks developing resistance
- Average cost: $15-18/month

Collar Options

Seresto Collar

- Active ingredients: Imidacloprid and flumethrin
- Duration: 8 months
- Pros: Long-lasting, water-resistant
- Cons: Higher upfront cost, some dogs sensitive to it
- Average cost: $70-90/collar

Natural Alternatives

Herbal Repellents

Essential Oil Blends

Cedar oil
Neem oil
Lemongrass oil
Rose geranium oil Application: Dilute with carrier oil and apply weekly Effectiveness: Moderate, requires frequent reapplication Cost: $15-25/month

Natural Sprays

Wondercide Natural Products
Dr. GreenPet Natural Flea & Tick Spray Application: 2-3 times per week Effectiveness: Variable Cost: $20-30/bottle

Dietary Supplements

Apple Cider Vinegar

- Usage: 1 teaspoon per 50 pounds in water
- Benefits: May make blood less attractive to ticks
- Cost: $5-10/month

Brewer’s Yeast with B vitamins

- Dosage: Based on weight
- Benefits: May help repel ticks
- Cost: $10-15/month

Environmental Controls

Diatomaceous Earth

- Application: Yard treatment
- Effectiveness: Moderate
- Cost: $10-15/bag

Nematodes

- Application: Yard treatment
- Effectiveness: Good for flea control, moderate for ticks
- Cost: $20-30/application

Keep in Mind:

Natural alternatives should not completely replace veterinary-approved preventatives in high-risk areas
The effectiveness of natural products varies significantly
Always consult your veterinarian before starting any prevention protocol
Consider your geographic location and tick risk level
Some natural products may need to be reapplied frequently
Combine multiple approaches for best results

Bottom Line:

Use a vet-approved preventative as primary protection
Supplement with natural alternatives if desired
Maintain environmental controls
Perform regular tick checks
Keep records of what works for your dog

Remember that what works for one dog may not work for another, and effectiveness can vary by region and season. Monitor your dog closely when starting any new prevention method, whether conventional or natural.