As winter sets in and the temperatures drop, you might assume it’s safe to skip your pet’s tick and flea medication. However, many dogs remain at risk for these pests throughout the year.
Why Your Dog Shouldn’t Skip Flea and Tick Prevention in Winter
Even in the colder months, fleas can sneak into your home—often hitching a ride on mice and other rodents seeking warmth—while many tick species not only survive but can flourish during winter. Although the risk varies by region and travel habits, most areas remain susceptible, and with milder winters becoming more common, it’s not the time to relax your defenses.
Is Tick and Flea Medication Necessary in Winter?
Yes. Even though many ticks and fleas slow down or become dormant in winter, most regions in the United States never get cold enough to completely eliminate these pests. Since both ticks and fleas can carry diseases harmful to your dog, maintaining year-round protection is essential.
Risks of Ticks in the Winter
Certain tick species—such as blacklegged (deer) ticks in the Northeast, western blacklegged ticks along the West Coast, and brown dog ticks in the southern United States—can remain active throughout the winter. For example, Gulf Coast ticks, which can transmit tick paralysis, can still be active at temperatures as low as 39.2°F. This means that in many parts of the country, winter isn’t cold enough to stop tick activity, and their range is expanding beyond traditional areas. Keeping your dog on tick and flea preventative medication year-round is wise, as even a brief warm spell can reactivate these pests.
Risks of Fleas in the Winter
In regions with mild climates, fleas can be a year-round problem because the temperatures rarely drop low enough for them to go dormant. In colder climates, fleas often survive in warmer spots such as barns, animal dens, or under homes, and even a single mild day can trigger their activity. After major wet weather events like hurricanes, flea populations can surge. Moreover, if you travel during the winter, you might visit areas where these parasites remain active. For these reasons, keeping your pet on flea medication is crucial to protect them from flea-borne diseases.
