Puppy Year One / Ticks and parasites: puppy basics

Ticks and parasites: puppy basics

Quick answerThe CDC says to check outdoor pets for ticks every day and use a tick preventive product on dogs. Ask your vet which product suits your puppy’s age and weight. Never use a dog product on a cat without asking a vet.

Your puppy’s first year, organizedCreate a profile, track weight and notes, set medication reminders and ask questions any hour of the day.Raise a happy puppy with every note in one place. Free to download. Try it free, no payment info needed, then decide after the trial.What is PawLine? An AI-powered pet health app whose answers draw on published veterinary research, including sources like PubMed. Ask health questions any hour, get emergency triage and first-aid steps, set medication reminders, keep a profile and daily notes for each pet and email them to your vet, and find nearby vets. Try it free for 30 days with no payment info needed; after the trial, continued access is an in-app purchase (weekly or yearly). Guidance only, not a diagnosis.

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Published Oct 19, 2026 · Updated Oct 19, 2026 · By the Editorial team. General education, not veterinary advice and not yet individually reviewed by a licensed veterinarian. About and sources

What the CDC says

Ticks can carry diseases to pets and can ride into your home.
Signs of tickborne disease may not appear for 7 to 21 days or longer.
Except for Lyme disease in dogs, pets cannot be vaccinated against tickborne diseases.
Check pets daily, especially after outdoor time, and remove ticks right away.
Cats are extremely sensitive to many chemicals. Ask a vet before using any tick product on a cat.

Your puppy’s first year, organized

Create a profile, track weight and notes, set medication reminders and ask questions any hour of the day.

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Complete pet profilesBreed, age, weight, health conditions and photos for each pet, so advice fits that animal.
Instant health answersAsk about a symptom, diet or behavior question and get a research-backed answer, day or night.
Daily health notesWrite down symptoms and observations, then share the records with your vet by email.

Raise a happy puppy with every note in one place. Free to download. Try it free, no payment info needed, then decide after the trial.

What is PawLine? An AI-powered pet health app whose answers draw on published veterinary research, including sources like PubMed: instant health answers, emergency triage with first-aid steps, medication reminders, pet profiles and daily notes you can email to your vet, and nearby vet search. The 30-day free trial needs no payment info; after it, continued access is an in-app purchase, weekly or yearly (see the store listing). PawLine gives guidance and information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for medical decisions.

In a home with cats

The ASPCA warns that permethrin, common in dog flea and tick products, can make cats unsteady and cause tremors or seizures. Read the label and ask your vet.

Raise a happy puppy with every note in one place. Get PawLine on the App Store · Get it on Google Play

Questions for your vet

Which preventive for my puppy’s age and size?
Do you recommend the Lyme vaccine where I live?
How do I remove a tick safely?

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check my puppy for ticks?

The CDC says daily, especially after time outdoors.

Your puppy’s first year, organized

Create a profile, track weight and notes, set medication reminders and ask questions any hour of the day.

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Complete pet profilesBreed, age, weight, health conditions and photos for each pet, so advice fits that animal.
Instant health answersAsk about a symptom, diet or behavior question and get a research-backed answer, day or night.
Daily health notesWrite down symptoms and observations, then share the records with your vet by email.
Medication remindersSet medication schedules for every pet, get push notifications, and track dosing history.
Emergency triageHelps you judge whether your pet needs urgent veterinary care, with step-by-step first aid while you get to the vet.
Nearby vets and pet placesFind vet clinics, dog parks, groomers and pet shops, and save favorites.
Birthday remindersA reminder before each birthday with breed facts.
Many speciesDogs, cats, birds, rabbits, reptiles, small pets, and livestock such as horses, goats, sheep, cows and chickens.

Raise a happy puppy with every note in one place. Free to download. Try it free, no payment info needed, then decide after the trial.

Sources

CDC: Preventing ticks on pets https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/preventing-ticks-on-pets.html
ASPCA: Feline toxins to steer clear of (permethrin) https://www.aspca.org/news/feline-toxins-steer-clear-kitten-season
AAHA: Recommendations for core and noncore canine vaccines https://www.aaha.org/resources/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/recommendations-for-core-and-noncore-canine-vaccines/

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