When and where do ticks mate and reproduce on my dog or cat?

Thank you for submitting your question. A tick needs to feed while on a dog and then it will drop off after breeding to lay eggs. So this would not have been possible if the tick was removed from the dog while feeding. It sounds like you did a thorough job of cleaning as well. So I do not believe you need to worry. I hope this information helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You will not have tick eggs in your house. They have to feed off blood to produce eggs, so I wouldn't worry about that or an infestation. It sounds as though you have done a good job. I would just add that you should consider a long lasting tick preventative. Dips and sprays do not last long on the dog. I would consider one of the new oral medications: either Nexgard or Simparica which are monthly or Bravecto which is one pill every 3 months. i wish you and Lilly the best!

For the most part, ticks do not cause much harm, but do have the potential to transmit certain diseases and some can cause neurologic problems. Some of these diseases and complications would be obvious if they occurred already. It's good to clip the hair around where the tick was and examine the skin for any redness or swelling - this can indicate an infection. The vet can do some blood tests for the commonly transmitted diseases if necessary. However, it's likely that Pico will be completely fine. Fully engorged ticks will lay eggs in the environment, so I would make sure to clean under any dark areas of the house. Normal flea/tick medication can be given to kill other ticks and prevent any more from getting on him. I recommend the spot-on treatments like Frontline and Revolution. Your vet will be able to give you the best products, so I recommend waiting until Monday to get these. In the meantime, you can give a bath. There are some flea/tick shampoos that you can get at the pet store. Just make sure you use it as directed by the manufacturer. I hope that helps and all is well with Pico.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If your dog is on flea and tick prevention then that would cause the tick to die after it was attached. Most preventatives do not repell and the tick needs to attach and start to feed before the product kills them. Otherwise, the tick just may h ave simply died. They stay attached despite being dead. Are you sure it was a tick (just checking!!)? It had 8 legs? It may have been in a hibernating state if where you live is cold. I hope this answers your question, we just may never know why it was dead if your dog isn't on tick prevention. Have a great day!

Adult fleas live on the host (dog, cat, etc.). They come from the environment and seek out a host to feed and breed. Only about 5% of the flea population are adult fleas. The remainder are eggs, pupae or larvae. These earlier stages typically settle into carpeting or deep in furniture and bedding. They​ can remain "dormant" for months waiting for the right combination of temperature and humidity before developing into adult fleas to begin the cycle anew.

This is likely an American Dog Tick. You will never see the eggs, they are not on the dog. But you might see nymphs (tick larvae), they look like tiny ticks with 6 legs only. An adult tick has 8 legs. Yes, it is good that you squish them with paper. If your dog gets a lot of ticks, you may want to consider specific flea and tick preventive medicine such as Advantix, Frontline, Bravecto or a Seresto Collar.

Yes, in most temperate climates, fleas are at their worst [through the fall](https://www.petcoach.co/article/fall-and-fleas-what-you-need-to-know). Like all insects, fleas go through a life cycle where adult fleas lay eggs, which mature to larvae, then pupae and into adults that lay eggs of their own. None of these life stages can survive when temperatures drop below 37 degrees Fahrenheit unless they are already surviving on a host, such as a household pet or wild animal, or are already inside of a warm home. As temperatures warm up in the spring, fleas begin to boom, with adult fleas laying around 2,000 eggs over a two-month span. With consistently warm temperatures, these eggs typically mature into egg-laying adults within three weeks. Consider what happens as these 2,000 eggs mature and each lay 2,000 eggs of their own! The flea life cycle continues to boom until the temperature begins to drop by late fall, making fall the time of year where fleas have grown to the largest population size. In climates that stay above 37 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, there is no reprieve to the flea life cycle. Many pet owners lapse in their use of flea preventives in the fall, which provides fleas with an accessible and unprotected host. In all instances, it is best to keep your pet on a good-quality flea preventive medication consistently year-round. Since all flea preventives are not the same, it is best to discuss the best option for your pet with your veterinarian. ### Capstar is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates.