The No. 1 Tick-Infested State for Dogs Was Just Revealed and It's Surprising
With spring officially here, you might be looking forward to flowers, hikes with your beasties, and long summer days outside. Unfortunately, with the warmer weather also comes a dreaded pest: ticks! These little arachnids can plague any pet parent. In addition to freaking you out, these ugly bugs also carry diseases, like Lyme. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, "Ticks are among the most efficient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, feed slowly, and may go unnoticed for a considerable time while feeding." Gross!
Some areas will be hit harder than others by these pesky parasites. Maven Pet recently took a look at internet searches on tick bites, removal, and treatment, then ranked them by state (after adjusting for population size). If you guessed that the Northeast would be a hot spot, you nailed it. Maine came in at number one, followed by Vermont and New Hampshire.
If you're in one of these states, you'll need to keep your eye on your pet (and yourself) to avoid ticks. But how do you keep the ticks at bay? Here are a few tips.
Related: How Do You Get Rid of Fleas on a Young Puppy?
How To Remove Ticks From Your Dog
When it comes to parasites, the best defense is a good offense. You want to invest in dog tick prevention that works. This can include a pill, topical treatment, or collar. There are also a number of alternative anti-tick smells you can try to get these guys off your doggie.
Even the most prepared pet parent might find themselves petting their furry friend and feeling a tick. My Chihuahuas frequently get them, especially at their "Country Home" in upstate New York, where they visit Grandma and Grandpa. (It may be in part because they're so short and low to the ground, something to think about if you have a small dog.) Checking your animal with your hands or a tick removal glove after every walk can help you find them before they have a chance to attach.
Once a tick latches onto your pet, you need to be careful about extracting it. The first rule is to get the tick out as quickly and safely as possible. Many tick-borne illnesses need the bloodsucker to stay in place for 24 hours or more to transmit the disease to your doggie. As soon as you notice a tick, prepare to remove it. You also don't want to believe the old wives' tale about poking it with a hot needle. Skip that, which can be dangerous for your little guy, and instead use tweezers or a tick key.
If the tick was in for a while, you should call your vet and consider a test for Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever if those are common in your area. Otherwise, just keep an eye on the area for signs of infection. Redness in dogs doesn't necessarily mean Lyme has set in, so just keep an eye on it if it looks a bit inflamed.
If you're in one of the top tick states, stay vigilant, and you and Fido will be just fine.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 6:20 AM.