Emergency department visits sparked by tick encounters have reached levels not seen in a decade, according to health tracking data. The same ticks that threaten humans also pose risks to household pets, with veterinarians urging owners who let animals outdoors to conduct regular checks for the parasites.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends checking outdoor pets around their ears, eyelids, tail base, under collars and front legs, and between back legs and toes. Pet owners should remove any ticks immediately and dispose of them properly. Signs of tick-borne diseases may not appear for several days or months after a bite.
What the Left Is Saying
Animal welfare advocates and progressive public health organizations have long pushed for increased funding toward vector-borne disease research and prevention programs. Groups like the Humane Society argue that accessible veterinary care is essential, noting that low-income pet owners often face difficult choices when their animals contract expensive-to-treat illnesses.
"When pets bring ticks inside, it creates a household health risk that extends beyond just the animal," said Dr. Maria Santos, a public health veterinarian with the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Prevention and early detection save both lives and money for families."
Democratic legislators in several states have proposed expanding subsidized spay-and-neuter programs as one method of reducing stray animal populations that can carry ticks into residential areas.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and free-market agricultural groups emphasize personal responsibility over government intervention in pet care. The American Farm Bureau Federation notes that rural landowners who work with livestock already employ routine pest management practices that could serve as a model for pet owners.
"Pet ownership is a commitment," said Tom Bradley, a spokesperson for the National Pet Owners Association, a nonprofit advocacy group. "Responsible owners should budget for preventive care just as they would any other aspect of animal stewardship."
Some conservative policy voices have opposed expanded government-funded veterinary programs, arguing that such services are best provided through private markets and charitable organizations rather than public programs.
What the Numbers Show
Emergency department visits related to tick encounters have reached decade-high levels in 2026. The CDC estimates that approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually, though some health economists suggest the actual number may be higher due to underreporting.
Lyme disease is transmitted by deer ticks and can affect both dogs and cats, though felines are considered "highly resistant" to the bacteria according to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Dogs face a broader range of tick-borne illnesses including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Canine Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.
The lone star tick has been linked to Cytauxzoonosis, informally called "bobcat fever," which can be fatal in cats. Treatment costs for advanced tick-borne diseases in pets can range from $200 to over $2,000 depending on the illness and required interventions.
The Bottom Line
Tick activity remains elevated across much of the country this season. Pet owners who allow animals outdoors should conduct regular checks following CDC guidelines and consult veterinarians promptly if symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, or limping appear. While not all tick bites result in illness and many ticks carry no disease, early detection improves treatment outcomes for both pets and humans who may be exposed through animal contact.
What to watch: Several state legislatures are considering measures related to veterinary pricing transparency and tick-borne disease reporting requirements.