What to Watch This Tick Season: Potential Risks for Pets in 2026

• •Dr. Susanne Heartsill, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), U.S. Companion Animal Chief Veterinary Officer at Ceva Animal Health, shares practical recommendations to help pet owners reduce parasite risks.
• CDC data show emergency department visits for tick bites have been higher than expected in many regions of the United States during 2026, highligh-ting the importance of tick awareness and prevention. (CDC.gov) (opens in a new tab)
• With approximately 66% of U.S. households owning a pet, veterinarians and pet owners share an important responsibility in helping reduce parasite exposure and supporting animal and human health. Companion Animal Parasite Council  (opens in a new tab)

Libourne, July 23rd, 2026— As Americans spend more time outdoors during the summer months, veterinarians are encouraging pet owners to take a proactive approach to parasite prevention. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and intestinal parasites remain common health threats for dogs and cats across the United States, but preventive care and routine monitoring can significantly reduce parasite-related risks.

Ceva Animal Health (Ceva), the world's fifth-largest animal health company, is encouraging pet owners to work with their veterinarian to stay informed and take responsible steps to help protect their pets and their households from parasites that can
affect animals and people.

Understanding Today's Tick and Parasite Landscape

Tick and other parasite exposure patterns continue to evolve. Regional weather conditions, changes in wildlife populations, expanding tick habitats, and increased movement of pets and people can all influence where and when parasites are encountered.

In April 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that emergency department visits for tick bites were higher than usual in most U.S. regions and the highest reported for that time of year since tracking began in 2017. These data underscore an important message: people and pets may be encountering ticks more frequently. Ticks can transmit diseases that affect both animals and humans, reinforcing the need for awareness and preventive action. (CDC.gov) (opens in a new tab)

"The good news is that pet owners have effective tools available to help reduce parasite risks," said Dr. Susanne Heartsill. "The most successful prevention plans are proactive, consistent, and tailored to each pet's individual lifestyle and exposure risk."

A Layered Approach to Prevention

Public health agencies emphasize that reducing tick exposure is the best defense against tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease. For people, CDC recommendations include avoiding tick habitats when possible, using repellents, performing tick checks, and promptly removing attached ticks. Veterinarians apply a similar prevention philosophy to pets. Preventing Tick Bites | Ticks | CDC (opens in a new tab)

Pet owners can help protect their pets by:
• Using veterinarian-recommended, year-round parasite prevention.
• Performing routine tick checks after outdoor activities.
• Maintaining yards and outdoor spaces to reduce tick habitat.
• Following product label directions and veterinary recommendations.
The CDC recommends repellents for people because preventing tick attachment helps reduce opportunities for disease transmission. A similar principle applies to dogs. Some canine parasite preventive products both repel and kill ticks and fleas, helping reduce tick attachment and feeding as part of a comprehensive prevention program. Preventing Tick Bites | Ticks | CDC (opens in a new tab)

"From a One Health perspective, preventing tick attachment and feeding is an important objective for both people and pets," said Dr. Heartsill. "Just as public health experts recommend repellents as part of personal protection, veterinarians may recommend products with repellent activity for dogs as one component of a broader parasite prevention strategy. The goal is to reduce parasite exposure whenever possible."

For at-risk dogs, products that combine parasite control with repellent activity may provide an additional layer of protection alongside routine tick checks, environmental management, and regular veterinary care. Products such as Vectra® 3D for Dogs* (opens in a new tab)are labeled to both repel and kill labeled parasites and may be incorporated into a veterinarian-directed prevention plan when appropriate. 

While repellent tick products are available for dogs, there are currently no approved tick repellents for cats in the United States. Cat owners should use only products specifically approved for feline use and should never apply products labeled for dogs to cats, as some canine parasite-control products can be highly toxic to cats.

A One Health Responsibility

People and pets share many of the same outdoor environments and are often exposed to the same parasite risks. This reflects the One Health concept, which recognizes the close connection between human, animal, and environmental health.

"Pet parents don't want to find ticks, fleas, and other parasites on their pets, and veterinarians don't want to see the diseases these parasites can spread," said Dr. Heartsill. "By working with their veterinarian on an appropriate prevention plan, pet owners can help protect their pets' health and preserve the companionship, activities, and shared experiences that strengthen the human-animal bond."

By combining preventive products, routine tick checks, environmental awareness, and responsible pet care, pet owners can help protect their pets while supporting healthier families and communities.

*Do not use Vectra 3D for Dogs on cats. 
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About Ceva Animal Health
Ceva Animal Health (Ceva) is the 5th global largest animal health company, led by experienced veterinarians, whose mission is to provide innovative health solutions for all animals to ensure the highest level of care and well-being. Our portfolio includes preventive medicine such as vaccines and animal welfare products, pharmaceutical solutions for farm and companion animals, as well as equipment and services to provide the best experience for our customers.

With more than 7,200 employees located in 47 countries, Ceva strives daily to bring to life its vision as a One Health company: “Together, beyond animal health”.

2025 turnover: €1.92 billion
www.ceva.com