As the weather warms up across Portugal, so begins tick season — a real concern for dog owners and animal shelters alike. These tiny parasites aren’t just unpleasant; they can pose a serious health threat to dogs, particularly through diseases like tick fever.
At Cadela Carlota Dog Shelter, we take tick prevention seriously. With over 80 dogs in our care, many of them outdoors, prevention needs to be thorough and consistent. As spring arrives, we begin by cutting back the grass throughout the property to reduce tick habitat. We then replace all flea collars and give each dog Bravecto or an equivalent oral treatment to ensure they are fully protected.
This year, the tick problem seems worse than usual — likely due to the combination of warm spring weather and unusually heavy rainfall. Damp, grassy conditions create the perfect environment for ticks to thrive, so extra care is needed right now.
Why double up? In a home setting, a flea collar or a single tick treatment is often enough. But in a shelter, where dogs live close together and spend time in shared outdoor spaces, we find that combining treatments gives them the best possible protection. We also use collars that help guard against Leishmania, another dangerous disease in Portugal, transmitted by sandflies.
Sadly, many of the dogs we rescue from the streets arrive already affected by tick fever, caused by a bite from an infected tick. One of our newest arrivals, Pêssego, came to us covered in ticks and was quickly diagnosed. He’s now receiving medication and recovering well.
If you’re a dog owner in Portugal, now is the time to act. Regularly check your dog after walks, especially in grassy or rural areas. Ask your vet about effective tick preventatives, and stay consistent with treatment — it really does make all the difference.
We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, supporters, and donors, whose generosity helps us care for the many dogs who need us. You’re always welcome to come and meet the dogs, including our new arrivals like Pêssego — there’s no better way to see the impact your support makes.
For more updates and ways to help, follow us on social media or visit our website. Thank you for supporting Cadela Carlota!
