Can Ticks Make Dogs Act Weird? 7 Strange Behaviors to Watch For

Have you ever noticed your furry friend acting a bit… off? Like, suddenly they’re not interested in their favorite treats or they’re pacing around the house like they forgot where they hid their bone? Well, I’ve got news for you – those tiny, creepy crawlers called ticks might be the culprits behind your dog’s bizarre behavior.

At Orlando Vets, we see this all the time. A confused pet parent brings in their pup wondering why their normally chill companion is suddenly acting like they’ve had too much caffeine. And surprise, surprise – ticks are often the answer!

How Ticks Affect Your Dog’s Behavior

Ticks aren’t just gross little parasites that suck blood. They’re actually eight-legged troublemakers (yep, they’re related to spiders!) that can cause some serious problems for your four-legged friend. When these pests attach to your dog, they don’t just cause physical symptoms – they can trigger behavioral changes too.

Let’s dive into the weird behaviors ticks might cause in your dog:

1. Unusual Anxiety and Restlessness

Has your normally chill pup suddenly become a nervous wreck? Ticks can make dogs feel extremely uncomfortable, leading to anxiety symptoms. According to veterinarians at Heart + Paw, dogs with ticks often display:

• Pacing around the house
• Inability to settle down
• Excessive whining or barking
• Difficulty relaxing or sleeping

One of my clients had a Labrador who suddenly started pacing at night We found three ticks buried in his skin – once removed, he was back to his lazy self within days!

2. Loss of Appetite

If your food-motivated pooch suddenly turns their nose up at dinner ticks might be the reason. Both Orlando Vets and Heart + Paw mention that dogs with ticks often experience

• Complete refusal to eat
• Picking at food rather than devouring it
• Loss of interest in treats
• Weight loss over time

This behavior change isn’t just the tick itself causing discomfort – it could be the beginning of a tick-borne illness affecting your dog’s system.

3. Unusual Aggression or Irritability

Is your sweet, gentle dog suddenly snapping when you try to pet them? This isn’t them being “bad” – they might be in pain!

Heart + Paw notes that dogs with ticks often exhibit “guarding” behavior where they become protective or even aggressive about certain parts of their body. This is especially common if:

• The tick is in a sensitive area
• The bite site has become inflamed
• The dog is experiencing pain from the tick

They’re not mad at you – they’re just trying to protect themselves from more pain!

4. Excessive Licking and Scratching

This one’s pretty common but still worth mentioning. If your dog is obsessively focused on one spot, licking and chewing like crazy, they might have a tick buried there.

According to Orlando Vets “Scratching and licking can be a common symptom in dogs that are not itchy but are still bothered by the presence of the tick.” Your dog is basically trying to remove the irritating parasite themselves!

5. Head Shaking and Ear Problems

Got a dog that’s suddenly shaking their head like they’re at a rock concert? Ticks love to hide in warm, dark places – and your dog’s ears are prime real estate.

If a tick attaches inside or near your dog’s ear canal, it can cause:

• Constant head shaking
• Tilting head to one side
• Pawing at ears
• Sensitivity when you touch their ears

We recently had a Cocker Spaniel come into Orlando Vets who was shaking his head non-stop. One tiny tick in the ear later, problem solved!

6. Unusual Tiredness or Depression

Is your normally energetic pup suddenly acting like a couch potato? Ticks can cause lethargy in dogs, especially if they’ve been attached for a while or if they’re transmitting diseases.

Signs to watch for include:

• Refusing walks or play
• Sleeping more than usual
• Lack of interest in activities they normally enjoy
• General “blah” attitude

This behavior is particularly concerning because it might indicate that your dog has developed a tick-borne illness like Lyme disease.

7. Weird Walking or Coordination Issues

In severe cases, tick-borne diseases can cause neurological symptoms that affect how your dog moves. If your dog is suddenly:

• Walking with a wobbly gait
• Seems uncoordinated
• Has weakness in their legs
• Shows paralysis in any body part

This could be a sign of tick paralysis or another serious tick-borne condition that requires IMMEDIATE veterinary attention!

The Diseases Behind the Weird Behavior

So why exactly do ticks make dogs act weird? It’s not just the ick factor or discomfort – it’s often because ticks transmit diseases that affect your dog’s nervous system and overall health.

According to Orlando Vets, ticks can cause several serious diseases in dogs, including:

• Lyme Disease: Can cause joint pain, fever, and behavior changes
• Bartonellosis: May lead to inflammation throughout the body
• Anaplasmosis: Often causes fever, joint pain, and lethargy
• Ehrlichiosis: Can affect multiple body systems

All these diseases can make your furry friend feel terrible, which naturally affects their behavior. It’s like when you have the flu – you don’t act like yourself either!

How to Check Your Dog for Ticks

If your dog is acting weird, it’s worth checking them for ticks. Here’s how we do it at Heart + Paw:

1. Run your fingers through your dog’s fur, feeling for small bumps
2. Pay special attention to ears, between toes, under the collar, armpits, and groin
3. Look for what Heart + Paw describes as “a swollen, bluish-black ball on your dog’s skin”
4. Check any areas your dog seems to be guarding or protecting

Remember, ticks can be as small as a pinhead or as large as a pencil eraser when engorged. They’re usually reddish-brown or black, which can make them hard to spot in dogs with dark fur.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

Found a tick? Don’t panic, but do act quickly. Both veterinary sources recommend:

1. DON’T just pull it off with your fingers – this can leave the head embedded
2. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
3. Pull upward with steady pressure – don’t twist or jerk
4. After removal, clean the area with alcohol or soap and water
5. Save the tick in a container with alcohol to show your vet

If you’re not comfortable removing the tick yourself, or if the tick appears to be very engorged, it’s best to visit your vet for proper removal.

Prevention Is Better Than Treatment!

Let’s be real – dealing with tick problems is a pain in the butt. It’s much easier to prevent ticks from latching onto your pup in the first place. Here’s what I recommend to all my clients:

• Use a vet-recommended tick preventative year-round
• Check your dog for ticks after walks, especially in wooded areas
• Keep your lawn trimmed short
• Create barriers between wooded areas and your yard
• Consider treating your yard for ticks if they’re a persistent problem

Remember that prevention isn’t just about avoiding the “ick factor” – it’s about protecting your dog from serious diseases that can have long-term health consequences.

When to See the Vet

While some tick encounters are easily handled at home, there are times when you should definitely get your pup to the vet:

• If your dog shows signs of illness after a tick bite (fever, lethargy, loss of appetite)
• If you notice joint pain, limping, or neurological symptoms
• If you can’t remove the entire tick
• If the bite area becomes increasingly red, swollen, or warm
• If your dog’s weird behavior continues after tick removal

Orlando Vets emphasizes that some tick-borne diseases like Lyme Disease “can have a lasting impact on your dog’s health over the long term,” so early intervention is crucial.

The Bottom Line

So, can ticks make dogs act weird? Absolutely! From anxiety and restlessness to appetite changes and coordination issues, these tiny parasites can cause a range of behavioral changes in your furry friend.

By knowing what to look for and taking quick action, you can help your dog get back to their normal, happy self. And with good prevention strategies, you can minimize the chance of dealing with tick troubles in the first place.

Remember, we at Orlando Vets are always here to help if you suspect your dog might have ticks or a tick-borne illness. Your pup’s health is our top priority!

Have you ever dealt with ticks making your dog behave strangely? Drop a comment below and let us know your experience – we’d love to hear from you!