LYME IN PETS
Updated: Oct 20
Our pets are family, and ticks don't only bite people. Dogs can get Lyme disease too, and both dogs and cats can carry ticks right into our homes. Here's what to watch for and how to help protect the furry members of your family.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
TICKS ARE NOT JUST IN THE WOODS
-I was bitten by a tick inside a cabin. I hadn't even stepped outside yet. If it can happen to me indoors, it can happen to our pets too.
-You don't have to hike to be at risk. Ticks can live in backyards, dog parks, tall grass and leaf piles.
-The Companion Animal Parasite Council's 2026 forecast says ticks can feed 12 months a year, and Lyme risk for dogs is spreading into more states, including Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan.
-Where dogs are getting Lyme, people are too. The same forecast notes that Lyme risk in dogs closely follows where people catch Lyme, so protecting your pet helps protect your family.
SIGNS OF LYME IN DOGS
-Limping that moves from one leg to another.
-Swollen joints or swollen lymph nodes.
-Fever, tiredness, and not wanting to eat.
-Dogs don't get the bull's-eye rash that some people get.
-Signs can take weeks to months to show up (sometimes 2 to 5 months), and many infected dogs never show signs at all (Global Lyme Alliance, Merck Veterinary Manual).
WATCH THE KIDNEYS
-Lyme that affects a dog's kidneys is one of the most serious forms and can be life-threatening (Merck Veterinary Manual).
-Global Lyme Alliance suggests asking your vet about blood and urine tests to check your dog's kidneys if they test positive.
CATS AND LYME
-Global Lyme Alliance says Lyme disease in cats is rare and has not been documented outside of a lab.
-Even indoor cats can be exposed when a tick hitches a ride inside on a dog or a person, so check your cats too.
-There is a Lyme vaccine for dogs, but not for cats.
TESTING
-Many vets use a quick in-office blood test (SNAP 4Dx) that checks for Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, plus heartworm.
-A positive result means your dog was exposed. It doesn't always mean they are sick right now, so your vet will look at the whole picture.
-This test looks for antibodies, which take time to form, so vets often wait 4 to 8 weeks after a tick bite to test. Some labs also offer PCR tests that can find the germ's DNA sooner (Global Lyme Alliance).
-The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends testing dogs for tick-borne diseases every year.
TREATMENT
-Doxycycline is the antibiotic most often used, usually for about 4 weeks (Global Lyme Alliance, Merck Veterinary Manual).
-Most dogs with joint or limping symptoms improve quickly, though some don't fully recover. Dogs with kidney problems may need more care.
-Dr. Natalie Marks, DVM, quoted in an article on Dr. Bill Rawls's website, suggests supporting your dog's gut with probiotics or digestive enzymes during antibiotics. Ask your vet what's right for your pet.
PROTECTING YOUR PETS
-Use tick prevention year-round, not just in summer (Companion Animal Parasite Council).
-Global Lyme Alliance recommends buying tick products from your vet. They also warn that some over-the-counter flea and tick products have badly harmed dogs.
-Ask your vet about the dog Lyme vaccine. Global Lyme Alliance reports it is about 60% to 86% effective, given as 2 doses 2 to 4 weeks apart, then once a year. It does not protect against other tick-borne diseases.
-Check your dog for ticks at least once a day and before they come inside, especially the head, ears, paws and under the tail. A lint brush can help catch tiny ticks (Global Lyme Alliance, Dr. Natalie Marks, DVM).
-Keep your yard less tick-friendly with short grass, raked leaves and a wood chip border. See my Tick Repellent post for more yard tips.
KEEP YOUR CATS SAFE
-Never use dog flea and tick products on cats. Many dog products contain high amounts of permethrin, which can poison cats (American Association of Feline Practitioners).
-Keep cats away from a dog that was just treated (American Association of Feline Practitioners), and away from anything still wet with permethrin (Global Lyme Alliance).
-Signs of poisoning can include drooling, restlessness, muscle tremors and seizures. Call your vet right away if you see these.
CISTUS TEA
-Some people in the Lyme community drink Cistus tea, hoping it helps keep ticks away. I could not find any studies testing Cistus in dogs or cats, so please ask your vet before giving your pet any herb.
RELATED POSTS
Tick Repellent for Body and Yard
Tick Bite Education
How to Handle a Tick Bite
Different Types of Ticks
Tick Identification to Find Out What It Carries - Tick Testing
Lyme Disease Is in Every State
Cistus Incanus
SOURCES
Companion Animal Parasite Council - 2026 Pet Parasite Forecast (March 2026)
Merck Veterinary Manual - Lyme Disease in Dogs (reviewed June 2026)
Global Lyme Alliance - Lyme Disease in Dogs (January 2024)
Global Lyme Alliance - Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatments (January 2023)
Global Lyme Alliance - Can Cats Get Lyme Disease? (February 2023)
Global Lyme Alliance - Tick Repellent (2023)
American Association of Feline Practitioners - Permethrin Poisoning and Cats (updated 2024)
Dr. Bill Rawls's website - 9 Vet-Approved Strategies to Protect Your Pets from Lyme Disease (2022)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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