Tick Protection & Poison Prevention - March 2026

Friends of the Riney Canine Health Center,

Thank you for joining our pack! I am Brian Collins, an extension associate for the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, and I’m pleased to share this month’s “From the Vet’s Desk” monthly health tip with our members.

March is finally here and spring is around the corner. Much of the country has recently experienced some bitterly cold winter weather, but as temperatures have climbed above freezing, I’ve already heard from people who have found ticks on their dogs here in the Northeast! I wanted to remind dog owners that despite having some snow on the ground, ticks can become active when the temperature reaches around 40 degrees (F). Ticks don’t jump (or fly) but they do crawl. Many find a host by hanging on the edge of a plant with their front legs extended waiting to grab onto fur (or clothing) – a behavior known as “questing.” The height at which they do this varies depending on the age of the tick (immature vs adult) and the species of tick. For example, the immature deer tick will quest close to the ground in hopes of finding a mouse, while the adults may be found as high as 2-3 feet to target deer.

There are numerous tick prevention products available including liquids that are applied topically, collars, oral products and even an injectable form that was introduced last year. Your veterinarian can help you decide what is best for your dog. There are several types of ticks that we are concerned about, and they vary geographically and carry different diseases. Most tick preventive products will provide protection from all of them, though it’s important to keep in mind that nothing is 100% effective. It’s still important to check your dog (and yourself!) for ticks and consider avoiding areas where ticks may be lurking. In addition to the ticks that we have been seeing for so many years -- such as the deer tick, Lone Star tick, American dog tick and the brown dog tick – unfortunately, there’s a relatively new tick in town. First discovered in 2017 in New Jersey, the Asian longhorned tick has now spread westward and has invaded 22 U.S. states, with Michigan being the latest to find them. They are extremely prolific and do enjoy feeding on dogs with even hundreds at a time being possible as they tend to live in clusters. So far there are two pieces of good news: they don’t seem to like people, and they don’t appear to be importing vectors of disease. Once again – tick prevention and vigilance are our best weapons against this and all ticks!

Since 1961, National Poison Prevention Week has taken place in the third week of March. Though originally created by Congress to address poison prevention in people, we recognize it as an opportunity to spread awareness in veterinary medicine as well.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. If you know or suspect that your dog has ingested something potentially harmful, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic ASAP. If you are unable to contact a veterinarian for whatever reason, call one of the following numbers for guidance. Both are available 24/7 and there is a fee.
   1. ASPCA Poison Control (888)426-4435
   2. Pet Poison Hotline (855)764-7661
2. Do not attempt to induce vomiting in your dog unless directed by a veterinarian.
3. Keep all human and pet medications in a cupboard or drawer where pets can’t access them. Large dogs can reach countertops, and some small dogs can jump or climb. Cats can also knock containers onto the floor, making them available to dogs.
4. Some pet medications are flavored which can make them especially appealing to dogs and have resulted in overdoses.
5. When taking your own medications be mindful if any are dropped on the floor as dogs may ingest them. Even one tablet or capsule could be harmful to a dog.
6. Restrict dogs from areas where chemicals may be stored (e.g., pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze).
7. Rodenticides are extremely dangerous and are often consumed by dogs. They may not be a good choice for homes with dogs as they can also ingest rodents that have consumed the products.
8. Chocolate is one of the most common poisons that we see in dogs. The type and quantity ingested affect the level of toxicity. Consult a veterinarian promptly.
9. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is very toxic to dogs. It can be found in numerous products including peanut butter, candy and chewing gum. Read labels carefully.
10. Cannabis-containing products are another common source of intoxication. Do not hesitate to tell your veterinarian if your dog ingested these products.
11. Other foods that your dog should never eat include those in the onion family and grapes (and raisins). Contact a veterinarian ASAP to determine if your pet requires treatment.
12. Dogs often find food and medications that are dangerous to them that guests may bring into your home. Dogs may sniff them out of jacket pockets, bags and luggage. It is important to ask visitors if they may have any gum, candy, chocolate, or other items that your inquisitive dog may find.
13. Batteries are very dangerous if bitten or swallowed. If you have a puppy or adult dog who likes to chew things, it is especially important to keep items like TV remotes and toys with batteries well out of reach. If there’s a chewing event and you can’t find a battery, contact a veterinarian ASAP.

The list of items that are harmful to dogs is quite extensive, but these are a few of my top concerns and recommendations. Most of the time it is possible to create a safe environment for your canine family members – but it is important to be vigilant in case of accidents.

As always, thank you for being a Riney Canine Health Center member. We look forward to catching up with you next month!

Dr. Brian Collins, D.V.M. ‘94

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