What Are Ticks?
Ticks are tiny parasitic arachnids that survive by feeding on the blood of a host. They attach to a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, and even reptiles. While ticks become inactive in the cold, they thrive in warm, humid environments, making Malaysian weather the ideal climate for ticks to proliferate¹. In fact, studies report that up to 80% of stray dogs in Selangor and Kelantan are infested with ticks2, while 75.3% of cats carry at least one type of external parasite, including ticks, fleas and mites3.
How Ticks Find Their Hosts
Cats and dogs commonly pick up ticks during walks in grassy, wooded areas, outdoor playtime, hikes or nature visits, and close contact with other infested animals4.
Ticks locate hosts through a behaviour known as questing where they detect heat, movement and body odour before climbing onto a passing animal5. Once on your pet, they use specialised mouthparts to pierce the skin and feed. Unfortunately, during this feeding process, ticks can transmit harmful pathogens into your pet’s bloodstream, increasing the risks of serious tick-borne diseases including babesiosi and ehrlichiosis in dogs6, and anaemia in cats7.
Signs and Symptoms of Ticks on Your Pet
Ticks - particularly larvae and nymphs - can be extremely small, resembling tiny dark seeds that are easy to miss, especially on dark, curly or dense fur. If you find it difficult to spot ticks directly, watch for these behavioural and physical clues:
Early signs of tick presence:
1. Excessive scratching or itching8
2. Biting, chewing, or nipping at specific areas
3. Redness, swelling, or irritation on the skin
If an infestation is left untreated, more serious symptoms may develop, such as:
1. Fever and lethargy9
2. Joint pain or limping
3. Loss of appetite
4. Anaemia from blood loss
In most cases, tick‑related problems can range from discomfort to life‑threatening disease. This is why performing regular full‑body checks is one of the best ways to protect your pet from parasites. Here is a simple step‑by‑step routine that can help you safely locate and remove ticks before they cause harm.
Step 1: Starting at the head to the ears, run your fingers through your pet's coat to feel for small bumps.
Step 2: Remove the collar and carefully check around the neck
Step 3: Continue down the front legs to the paws, checking between and under the toes
Step 4: Inspect the chest, belly, back, tail, and back legs
Step 5: Searches need to be thorough, as ticks can be hard to find
When You’re Short on Time
While daily tick checks are ideal, not every pet owner can fit this into a busy schedule. If you need a more convenient approach, consider using NexGard SPECTRA® for dogs and NexGard® COMBO for cats. These provide broad‑spectrum protection against both internal and external parasites in a single, easy monthly chewable (for dogs) or spot‑on treatment (for cats). With consistent use, you can help keep your pets safe, healthy and protected even when you’re short on time.
Refs
1.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/399888017
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2405939023001223
3.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346716556
4. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/preventing-ticks-on-pets.html
5. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/index.html
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587723000727
7. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/cat-owners/skin-disorders-of-cats/ticks-of-cats
8. https://heartandpaw.com/pet-parent-resources/symptoms-of-ticks-on-dogs
9. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/ticks-and-your-cat