Summer Tick Safety for Dogs and Cats in North Brisbane

Because every North Brisbane adventure should end with cuddles, not ticks.

Ticks are out in force across Brisbane right now.

Warm days, long grass, and lazy backyard afternoons are basically an open invitation for them to hop onto your dog or outdoor-loving cat.

A quick daily check (under two minutes) is one of the easiest ways to keep your pets safe this summer.

This guide walks you through:

• The main tick types you’ll see in Australia

• Where ticks love to hide on dogs and cats

• How to do a fast daily tick check

• What to do if you find one

• When to head straight to the vet

  
  

The Tick Types You’ll See in Australia

The three main ticks Australian pets encounter, knowing what they look like helps you act fast.

Paralysis Tick

The big one we worry about in Queensland.

• Why it’s dangerous: Can cause paralysis, vomiting, breathing issues, and can be fatal without treatment.

• What it looks like: Grey–blue, rounded body with the legs clustered near the head.

• What to do: This is always an emergency. If you suspect a paralysis tick, contact your vet immediately.

Bush Tick

Less dramatic than a paralysis tick, but still not welcome.

• Why it’s a problem: Causes local skin irritation and discomfort.

• What it looks like: Reddish-brown, flatter body with legs more spread out.

Brown Dog Tick

Very at home in warm climates like Brisbane and can even live indoors.

• Why it’s a problem: Can cause irritation, anaemia, and tick-borne diseases (more common further north, but still worth taking seriously).

• What it looks like: Slim, brown body, often found in clusters in kennels, bedding, or cracks.

Where Ticks Hide on Pets

Ticks love warm, hidden spots. Check these areas on your dog (and cat) every day in summer.

Ticks are sneaky.

They love warm, sheltered spots where fur is dense and it’s easy to stay hidden.

On both dogs and cats, pay extra attention to:

• Ears (inside and behind)

• Face and lips

• Neck and collar area

• Armpits

• Groin

• Between the toes

• Base of the tail

They can attach anywhere, but these are the “hot spots” I see most often in North Brisbane pets.

Daily Tick Check (Under 2 Minutes)

Make this part of your routine after walkies or evening cuddles.

1. Start at the head

   Gently run your fingers over the head, ears, and around the eyes and lips.

   
   

2. Move down the neck and collar

   Feel under the collar and along the neck.

   
   

3. Check the chest, shoulders, and back

   Run your hands slowly down the body, feeling for small bumps or scab-like spots.

   
   

4. Lift each leg

   Look and feel in the armpits and groin.

   
   

5. Check the paws

   Gently spread the toes and look between them and around the nails.

   
   

6. Finish at the tail base

   Check where the tail meets the body and along the tail itself.

   
   

For dogs that walk daily, do a check after each walk.

For roaming cats, aim for a once-daily check (even if they complain about it!).

Early Signs of Tick Paralysis

Paralysis ticks can cause symptoms that worsen quickly.

If you notice any of the following, contact a vet immediately:

• Wobbliness or weakness in the back legs

• Vomiting or gagging

• Changes in breathing (faster, noisier, or laboured)

• Excessive drooling

• Trouble swallowing

• A strange or different bark or meow

• Sudden reluctance to walk, jump, or use stairs

Trust your gut.

If your pet “just isn’t right” and you’ve been in a tick-prone area, get them checked.

If You Find a Tick

If you’re confident, remove the tick in one steady pull and keep it for identification.

If you spot a tick on your dog or cat:

• Only remove it yourself if you feel confident.

• Use fine-tipped tweezers or a proper tick removal tool.

• Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight out with steady pressure.

• Keep the tick in a container (or take a clear photo) for identification.

• Watch your pet closely for the next 24–48 hours for any signs of illness.

• If you think it might be a paralysis tick → go to the vet now.

If you’re unsure what type of tick it is, or you’re nervous about removing it, skip the DIY and head straight to your vet.

Prevention That Actually Helps

No single method is perfect, but layering a few together makes a big difference:

• Keep tick prevention (chews, spot-ons, or collars) up to date.

• Avoid long grass and bushy, overgrown areas during peak tick season.

• Keep your yard as tidy as possible: mow regularly, trim shrubs, clear leaf litter.

• Do daily manual checks, especially after walks, beach trips, or bushy park visits.

• Be extra cautious after rain and humid weather, ticks love it.

Even with the best preventatives, daily hands-on checks are still one of the most powerful tools you have.

A Quick Note From Me

I found a tick on Happy this week.

We weren’t hiking deep in the bush. We were just living normal North Brisbane life, yard time, fence-line sniffs, the usual. It’s a good reminder that ticks don’t only live “out there” in the wilderness.

They can be:

• In your garden

• Along your fence line

• Under your deck

• In leaf litter and long grass at your local park

Because I do daily checks, we caught it early and Happy stayed safe.

That same simple habit can make all the difference for your pets too.

Need Support This Summer?

If you’re working long hours, heading away, or just need an extra set of reliable hands, I’ve got you.

• Daily care and home visits

• Walks for dogs who still need their exercise (even when it’s too hot in the middle of the day)

• Tick checks included in all summer visits for dogs and cats

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f you’re in North Brisbane and want peace of mind that someone is keeping a close eye (and careful hands) on your pets:

Join the pack

Your pets get love, walks, and thorough tick checks. You get to breathe a little easier this summer.