What are the chances of my dog getting Lyme disease from a tick in the UK?

Ticks carry a serious bacterial infection called Lyme disease. Dogs, cats and humans can all get Lyme disease, although it's uncommon in cats. Ticks are common in woodland and grassland and, although active throughout the year, you'll most likely see them between spring and autumn. Tick bites can carry diseases, so it's important to remove them straight away. If you squeeze its body or leave the head in, this can push blood back into your pet, which will increase the chance of them getting a disease. Ticks will bite and feed on your dog or cat for up to a few days, and drop off once they've had enough. During this time, it's possible the tick could give your pet a disease. Stop ticks from biting your pet by using a tick treatment that either kills or repels them if they attach themselves. Cats are less likely to get ticks than dogs, but it can still happen.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria called Borrelia, which is carried by approximately 1.5% of ticks across the UK. Pets (and humans) are at risk of contracting Lyme disease if they are bitten by an infected tick that then stays on them for several hours to feed. Approximately 1.5% of ticks in the UK carry Borrelia. Lyme disease is rare, but much more common in dogs than cats. Lyme disease mostly affects dogs, people, and occasionally cats. Lyme disease can affect multiple parts of the body and cause a variety of symptoms such as limping, stiffness, fever and low energy. Tick control is the best way to prevent Lyme disease in pets. Use regular parasite control that covers for ticks. Use a tick collar if you live in (or visit) a high-risk area.