Preparing your pet for ticks, fleas and other parasites

When summertime comes to an end, one of the biggest pet healthcare misconceptions emerges: that bloodsucking parasites have packed up and gone home.

Not so. The truth is that ticks, fleas, heartworms, intestinal worms, mites and even leeches are an evergreen issue that can sap your pet’s plasma at any time. Late summer may find them in their prime, but when the warmer weather and humidity that causes these critters to thrive dissipates, parasites don’t.

Worse still, they’re no less dangerous despite the change of seasons. One bite can carry discomfort, illness and even life-threatening conditions, but understanding how these parasites can affect cats and dogs can help you keep your pet safe.

Creatures with a thirst for blood are surprisingly hardy. In milder climates, parasites can thrive well into autumn. In homes, fleas can persist throughout winter, and ticks remain active across Australia.

Too active, in fact. Dogs NSW has recently reported on the spread of canine ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease that can be deadly to dogs. The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) has spread the disease across northern Australia, with cases increasing in Queensland in early 2026.

As canine ehrlichiosis is relatively new to Australia (it was first detected in 2020), domestic dogs have not yet developed any natural resistance. The Australian Government is working to prevent the spread, but the Brown Dog Tick remains a carrier of this severe illness which can often appear asymptomatic.

While regular ticks are bad enough, the Australian Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus) remains a greater threat to our pets. These can cause progressive paralysis that can lead to respiratory failure and even death if untreated.

Paralysis Ticks attach to dogs and cats by sinking their mouth-parts into skin. The tick feeds on the host’s blood, injecting small amounts of toxic saliva into the animal, which causes weakness and ultimately paralysis.

These ticks are active along Australia’s East Coast, especially in bushy, grassy and coastal areas. As tick bites can be difficult to detect, it’s best to look for the symptoms of tick paralysis if you live in a tick-prone area:

• weakness in the legs
• vomiting or loss of appetite
• difficulty breathing or excessive drooling
• a change in your pet’s bark or meow.

Preventatives are a great way to help keep your pet tick-free. They’re long acting and easy to administer, and most also prevent against fleas.

Checking your pet daily is essential if you’re in a tick hotspot. Front legs, neck, face and ears are common targets. If you find a feeding tick, remove it immediately with a tick removal tool by gently pulling upwards, then look for others and seek veterinary attention. It’s always best to let your vet remove the tick for you.

When your dog or cat turns up scratching excessively, fleas are usually responsible. But fleas don’t just cause itching – they can trigger allergic reactions, transmit tapeworms and lead to severe and chronic skin infections.

A single flea can quickly cause a greater infestation with its ability to lay up to 50 eggs a day. Before long, you’ll be scratching right alongside your pet.

While flea populations explode in summer, they can survive all year round indoors. The bloodsucking critters love to hide in carpets, bedding and upholstery.

Skin infections in dogs and cats can be costly. The prevention of fleas involves a combination of regular pet treatments, vacuuming and washing your pet’s bedding. Products such as spot-on treatments, oral medications and flea collars are all effective ways to keep fleas away.

Another itchy customer is the mite, a tiny parasite that can also cause serious skin issues in pets, including mange, ear infections and hair loss.

While some mites are naturally present in small numbers on healthy pets, infestations take hold when numbers explode. Symptoms of a severe case of mites include:

• intense scratching and biting at the skin
• patchy hair loss
• scabs or crusty skin
• head shaking (in cases of ear mites).

And yes, mites can migrate from pets to humans, so if you notice any of these signs, consult your vet for treatment and form a prevention plan.

When wet weather occurs, chances are your backyard or local bush track will play host to the most notorious bloodsucker of all: the leech. Found anywhere damp, leeches will lie in wait until a warm, blood-filled victim passes by. Then they’ll latch on and feed using a sucker lined with tiny teeth.

Once attached, leeches secrete a mild anaesthetic, so pets don’t often feel a bite. This makes leeches hard to notice. When they’re done feeding, leeches will detach and leave behind a small, bleeding wound. In most cases, the blood loss is minimal, but multiple leeches can attach themselves at once.

Dogs are at the greatest risk thanks to their tendency to explore without hesitation. They can gain a few leeches while on a walk, swimming or even poking around the backyard on a damp day.

Creepy as they are, leeches are fairly easy to manage. They don’t feed for longer than about 45 minutes, won’t quickly multiply and aren’t known to transmit diseases to pets.

Still, it’s important to remove them correctly to reduce any risk. Should you find a leech, here’s what to do:

• slide something thin and firm under the narrower end of the leech (the head) to break the attachment
• don’t tear: this can leave mouthparts attached
• once the head is detached, it’s safe to remove the rest of the body and return it to nature
• clean the wound with water.

As long as there’s blood, there will be parasites. The best way to protect your pet from nature’s vampires is a consistent, year-round prevention program.

Stick to a regular flea, tick or worming schedule and check your pets regularly. Keep your home and backyard tidy to minimise hiding places, avoid long grass when on walks and be aware of parasite hotspots.

Parasites can strike unexpectedly, and thanks to their small size, they can go unnoticed for some time. Skin conditions can become chronic, which can require lifelong topical treatment or immunotherapy. Having pet insurance can help manage any ongoing costs.

Blood is life, and your pet doesn’t have to share theirs. Stay on top of the situation and prevent little pests from becoming big problems.

PetSure are Supporting Partners of the AM’s Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires exhibition.

On a mission to reduce the worries that come with being a pet owner PetSure is all about making the world a better place for pets and their people. PetSure is a pet health tech company and leading pet insurance administrator providing a sense of security to nearly half a million people across Australia and New Zealand as the first general insurer in Australia that’s solely dedicated to pets.

Australian Pet Health Monitor 2026 © PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd