🐾 When Was the Last Time You Checked Your Dog for Ticks?

If your dog loves sniffing through long grass, exploring trails, wandering through wooded areas or simply spending time outside, checking for ticks should be part of your regular routine.

And here's something that's easy to forget: tick checks shouldn't be limited to one particular “tick season.” 

Ticks can be active whenever conditions are favourable — including during surprisingly cool weather — which means knowing how to find them, remove them properly and help prevent them is important throughout the year.

At Unleash the Pawsitive in Port Elgin, Ontario, we're big believers in letting dogs sniff, explore and enjoy the outdoors while taking a few simple precautions along the way.

So we've put together our complete tick guide for dog owners: 7 places you don't want to forget when checking your dog, a couple of surprisingly simple tricks that may make ticks easier to find, our preferred tool for removing them, and a closer look at PureGard Botanical Tick & Mosquito Repellent.

🕷️ When Are Ticks Active in Ontario?

One of the biggest misconceptions about ticks is that they're only a concern during a certain time of year.

In Ontario, that's not necessarily the case.

Ticks can be active whenever temperatures and conditions are favourable. That means it's a good idea to think about tick prevention and tick checks based on where you're exploring and the conditions outside, rather than simply what month it is.

Ticks are commonly found in areas such as:

• Long grass and overgrown fields
• Wooded trails and forest edges
• Areas with fallen leaves and low vegetation
• Parks and natural spaces
• Backyards with suitable tick habitat

And because our dogs tend to explore these environments nose-first — brushing through grass, leaves and vegetation — they can easily pick up an unwanted passenger along the way.

Our recommendation? Make a quick tick check part of your routine after outdoor adventures throughout the year.

🐕 How to Check Your Dog for Ticks: 7 Places You Shouldn't Miss

Ticks can be surprisingly difficult to spot, especially on dogs with thick or dark coats.

Some ticks are no bigger than a poppy seed, making them incredibly easy to overlook.

The best approach is to slowly run your hands over your dog's entire body, feeling for unusual bumps while parting the fur to inspect the skin.

Here are seven areas we recommend paying particular attention to.

1. Head & Ears
Start around your dog's face and ears.  Check behind the ears, inside the ear flaps, and around the base of the ears.  These areas can be easy to overlook, especially on dogs with long or floppy ears.

2. Neck & Collar Area
Remove your dog's collar and carefully inspect the skin underneath.  Run your fingers through the fur around the neck and shoulders.  Ticks can hide beneath collars where they're less noticeable.

3. Chest & Armpits
Check your dog's chest, armpits, and the areas where their front legs meet their body.  These tucked-away areas deserve extra attention.

4. Belly & Groin
Gently examine your dog's belly, groin, and inner thighs.  Part the fur to look closely at the skin.

5. Tail Area
Don't forget the tail!  Check around the base of the tail, underneath it, and through the surrounding fur.

6. All Four Legs
Run your hands down each leg, checking both the front and back legs.  Pay attention to areas where the fur is thicker.

7. Between the Toes
This is one area many dog owners forget!  Gently spread your dog's toes and check between them and around the paw pads.

Make Tick Checks a Positive Experience

If your dog isn't a fan of being handled, don't force them through a lengthy inspection.

Instead, start with short sessions, reward calm behaviour, and gradually help them become comfortable having different areas of their body examined.

A few treats and some patience can make a big difference!

🔎 Three Handy Tools That Can Help You Find and Remove Ticks

You don't need expensive equipment to improve your tick-checking routine.

In fact, you probably already have a couple of useful tools at home!

1. A Lint Roller — Yes, Really!

This is one of our favourite simple tricks.  After walking through grassy areas, try running a lint roller over your dog's coat.  The sticky surface may help pick up loose ticks that haven't attached yet.  It's especially handy for checking the outer coat before bringing your dog inside.

Important: A lint roller won't remove attached ticks and should never replace a thorough hands-on tick check.

2. Your Phone's Negative or Inverted Colour Setting 📱

Did you know your phone has a setting that might make certain ticks easier to notice?  By switching your phone's display to inverted or negative colours, you can change how colours and contrast appear.  Depending on your dog's coat and the lighting, this may help some tiny dark objects stand out.  We actually created a video demonstrating this trick!  It's a simple idea that has generated plenty of interest on our social media, so we wanted to share it here too.

🎥

Watch our tick-checking phone trick on YouTube

Give it a try during your next tick check!

Just remember that this is an additional visual trick, not a scientifically validated way to detect ticks. It won't reliably reveal every tick, so always follow up with a thorough hands-on inspection.

3. A Tick Pick — Our Preferred Tick Removal Tool!

If you discover an attached tick, it's important to remove it promptly.

While fine-tipped tweezers can be used to remove ticks, our preference is to use a tool specifically designed for tick removal.

One of our favourites is the AtlanTick Tick Pick (now Puregard), which we carry at Unleash the Pawsitive.

This handy little tool is designed to help remove attached ticks and includes a tick identification card and a convenient key hook.

We especially love that it's small enough to keep in your vehicle, hiking bag, or with your keys.

That way, you're prepared if you discover a tick while you're out exploring.

🐾 Check out the AtlanTick Tick Pick Remover here.

🕷️ What Should You Do If You Find a Tick on Your Dog?

First, don't panic!

Finding a tick doesn't automatically mean your dog has contracted a tick-borne illness.

However, prompt and proper removal is important.

Here's what we recommend:

1. Use an appropriate tick removal tool. We prefer a Tick Pick. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific tool.
2. Remove the tick carefully. Avoid crushing or squeezing its body.
3. Clean the area. Gently clean the bite area after removal.
4. Keep track of the bite. Note when and where you discovered the tick.
5. Monitor your dog. Contact your veterinarian if you're concerned about the bite or notice unusual symptoms.

If you're unable to remove the tick with your preferred tool, fine-tipped tweezers are an accepted alternative. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily without twisting or squeezing its body.

Never use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other home remedies to try to make a tick detach.

Signs of tick-borne illness can include lethargy, fever, reduced appetite, joint pain, or lameness.

Symptoms may not appear immediately, so contact your veterinarian if your dog becomes unwell following possible tick exposure.

🌿 PureGard Tick Repellent: Canadian-Owned Botanical Protection

Now that we've covered how to check your dog for ticks, let's talk about prevention.

One product we're excited to carry at Unleash the Pawsitive is PureGard Botanical Tick & Mosquito Repellent, formerly known as AtlanTick.

PureGard is a Canadian-owned company offering a botanical repellent formulated to help repel ticks and mosquitoes.

Unlike many products marketed as natural repellents, PureGard uses a refined, plant-derived active ingredient called PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol).

PMD is derived from lemon eucalyptus and is different from ordinary lemon eucalyptus essential oil.

PureGard's botanical repellent is registered with Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

What Makes PureGard Different?

There are several reasons this product caught our attention.

🇨🇦 Canadian-owned: We love supporting Canadian businesses!

🌿 Botanical active ingredient: PureGard uses plant-derived PMD rather than DEET.

🐕 Approved for use on dogs: The manufacturer states that its repellent is suitable for dogs when applied according to label directions.

🦟 Tick and mosquito protection: The product is registered to repel both ticks and mosquitoes.

🔬 Tested formulation: PureGard has undergone efficacy testing rather than relying solely on anecdotal claims about essential oils.

According to the manufacturer, PureGard provides:

✔ Up to 5 hours of tick protection

✔ Up to 6 hours of mosquito protection

Always follow the directions on your specific bottle, including application and reapplication instructions.

PureGard is a repellent, not a replacement for veterinarian-recommended tick preventatives. Talk to your veterinarian about the best tick-prevention plan for your dog.

📺 PureGard Was Featured on CTV News!

You may have already heard about PureGard!

The Canadian company has received attention from CTV News, bringing more awareness to its botanical repellent and the story behind the brand.

It's always exciting to see a Canadian business getting recognition for developing products designed to support outdoor adventures.

You can learn more about the company and find its CTV News feature on the official PureGard website.

We carry PureGard Botanical Tick & Mosquito Repellent in our retail store in Port Elgin, Ontario, and you can also shop through our website.

Whether you're heading out for a hike, exploring local trails, or simply enjoying time in your backyard, having a tick-prevention routine is always a good idea.

🐾 Shop PureGard Botanical Tick & Mosquito Repellent at Unleash the Pawsitive.

🍂 Our Favourite Fall Tick-Prevention Routine

Before your next outdoor adventure, remember these simple habits.

Before heading outside:

• Choose maintained trails whenever possible.
• Avoid brushing through tall grass and dense vegetation.
• Use appropriate tick prevention recommended by your veterinarian.
• If using PureGard, follow the label directions carefully.

After your adventure:

• Check your dog's entire body.
• Pay extra attention to ears, paws, armpits, and tucked-away areas.
• Use a lint roller as an optional extra tool.
• Try our phone trick as an additional visual aid.
• Check yourself and your clothing too!

The goal isn't to avoid the outdoors.

It's to enjoy everything Ontario has to offer while being proactive about your dog's health.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About PureGard & Ticks

Is PureGard safe for dogs?

PureGard's manufacturer states that its botanical repellent is approved for use on dogs when applied according to label instructions. It should not be used on cats.

Is PureGard a Canadian company?

Yes! PureGard is a Canadian-owned botanical repellent company formerly known as AtlanTick.

Does PureGard actually repel ticks?

PureGard is a Health Canada-registered tick and mosquito repellent. The manufacturer lists up to five hours of tick protection when used as directed.

Are ticks still active in October in Ontario?

Yes! Ticks can remain active whenever temperatures are above freezing, including throughout the fall and during mild winter weather.

Can you use a lint roller to find ticks on dogs?

A lint roller may help pick up loose, unattached ticks from your dog's outer coat. However, it cannot reliably detect or remove attached ticks and should not replace a full-body tick check.

What's the best way to remove a tick from a dog?

We prefer a purpose-designed tick removal tool, such as the AtlanTick Tick Pick. Follow the tool's instructions carefully. Fine-tipped tweezers are another accepted option for prompt removal.

Can I use PureGard instead of my dog's regular tick preventative?

PureGard is a repellent and shouldn't automatically replace veterinarian-recommended tick prevention. Speak with your veterinarian about the most appropriate protection for your dog.

🩵 Enjoy Fall Adventures With Confidence!

At Unleash the Pawsitive, we believe dogs should have opportunities to explore, sniff, play, and enjoy the world around them.

Fall is an amazing time for all of those things!

Just remember that cooler weather doesn't mean ticks have disappeared.

A little prevention, a thorough tick-checking routine, and the right tools can help make outdoor adventures safer for everyone.

If you're looking for more information about tick prevention, you can also read our article:

Ditch the Chemicals: Natural Flea & Tick Prevention for Outdoor Dogs.

And if you have questions about PureGard or the Tick Pick, stop by Unleash the Pawsitive in Port Elgin.

We'd love to help!

Until next time,

🐾 Woofs & Wags
– Melissa  🐾
@unleashthepawsitive

Forever inspired by Oaklee 🤍🐾