Can Pets Bring Ticks into Your Home?
For many of us, pets are family. They curl up on the couch, sleep in our beds, and bring comfort through tough days. But there’s one risk that often gets overlooked: pets can unknowingly bring ticks into your home. Even if your dog or cat doesn’t get sick, those ticks can bite you — and increase the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.
How Pets Carry Ticks Indoors
Ticks are excellent hitchhikers. They attach to an animal’s fur or skin while out in the yard, on walks, or even from a quick bathroom break. Unlike fleas, ticks don’t jump — they crawl and cling, waiting for the chance to transfer to another host.
Common ways ticks enter the home through pets:
Clinging to fur after outdoor activity
Crawling onto bedding, carpets, or couches
Transferring from pet to human during cuddles
Laying eggs in hidden spots if they survive long enough indoors
Do Pets Get Lyme Disease Too?
Yes, pets can get Lyme disease. Dogs are particularly vulnerable, though cats can also be bitten. Symptoms in pets may include:
Lameness or shifting joint pain
Fatigue or loss of energy
Loss of appetite
Swollen lymph nodes
Even if your pet doesn’t show symptoms, they can still carry ticks that spread disease to humans.
Protecting Pets — and Your Family
The good news: a few simple steps can reduce risk dramatically.
1. Tick Prevention for Pets
Use veterinarian-recommended tick preventatives (collars, chewables, or topical treatments).
Keep pets up to date with regular vet visits.
2. Daily Tick Checks
Run your hands over your pet after outdoor time, especially around the ears, collar, underbelly, and between the toes.
Use a fine-toothed comb to help catch hidden ticks.
3. Home Hygiene
Wash pet bedding regularly in hot water.
Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture often.
Keep grass in your yard trimmed and leaves cleared to reduce tick habitats.
4. Sleeping Arrangements
It may be cozy to have your pet in bed with you, but it also increases your risk of Lyme disease. Ticks that latch onto pets can crawl onto bedding at night, creating easy opportunities to bite humans. If you live in a tick-heavy area or have a compromised immune system, consider having pets sleep in their own space.
5. Safe Removal
If you find a tick on your pet, use fine-tipped tweezers to pull it straight out. Save the tick in a sealed bag in case testing is needed.
Why It Matters
For people with Lyme disease, preventing re-exposure is crucial. Pets can be a hidden source of repeated tick contact. While no one wants to limit the love and connection of snuggles, taking precautions ensures that your home — and your pets — stay safe.
Your pets are not the enemy — ticks are. With prevention, awareness, and daily checks, you can enjoy the companionship of your animals without fear of hidden risks. Protecting your pets protects your whole household.