Last Updated: 27/10/2026
Paralysis Tick Search: Where Ticks Attach | NexGard SPECTRA
Paralysis ticks attach to the head, neck or ears in most pets. Learn where to search first and protect your dog and cat with NexGard SPECTRA.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 2 minutes - short read
This article is written by the Pet Circle Vet Squad in partnership with Nexgard SPECTRA
It's tick season, and paralysis ticks can be deadly for dogs and cats. The good news is that a quick daily tick search, combined with year-round protection from NexGard SPECTRA, Australia's #1 parasite protection brand*, gives your pet the best chance of staying safe.
Why paralysis ticks matter
Paralysis ticks are a serious risk for pets along much of Australia's east coast. Once a tick attaches, it can release a toxin that causes tick paralysis, a life-threatening condition. Finding and removing a tick quickly can save your pet's life, which is why regular tick checks are so important.
Ticks can also be tiny and easy to miss. A quick pat is not always enough, so it helps to know exactly where to look.
Where to search first
New research gives pet owners a clear place to start. Published in the Australian Veterinary Journal, it is the largest study of its kind, analysing where paralysis ticks attached in more than 10,000 cases seen at veterinary hospitals in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Sydney's northern beaches.1
The results confirmed that the head and front of the body are the best places to focus first. Paralysis ticks were found on the head, neck or ears in 73% of dogs and 63% of cats. There was also a clear difference between the species: the most common attachment site was the head in dogs and the neck in cats.
The sneaky spots that are easy to miss
Ticks don't always attach where you expect. The study also found ticks in less obvious places, including inside the mouth (on the gums and tongue), in the nostrils, in the external ear canals and around the genitalia. Ticks can also be found at the base of the tail.
These hidden spots can delay detection and increase the risk of severe illness. That is why a thorough, full-body check every day is so valuable. Start at the head, neck and ears, then work your way back along the whole body. Think of it as extra cuddle time with a purpose.
Your tick-safe game plan
Keeping your pet safe from paralysis ticks comes down to two simple habits. First, use an effective tick control product like NexGard SPECTRA all year round. Second, search your pet for ticks every day and remove any you find. If you do find a tick, or your pet seems unwell, contact your vet straight away.
NexGard SPECTRA: Next Level parasite protection, made easy
With one monthly treatment, NexGard SPECTRA protects your dog or cat from paralysis ticks, bush ticks and brown dog ticks for a full month. It also protects against fleas, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms, so a single treatment covers a lot of ground.
It's easy to give, too. Dogs get a tasty chew, and cats get a simple spot-on applied to the skin at the back of the neck (part the fur so the product reaches the skin, not just the coat).
*Based on industry reported Sales Data for AU, MAT Q2 2026. See product label for full claim details and directions for use.
1. Teo, E.J.M., et al (2025) Attachment-site preferences of Ixodes holocyclus, the eastern paralysis tick of Australia: insights from 10,311 cases of tick infestations in dogs and cats. Aust Vet J. 103:731-734.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 27 Oct 2026
Written by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
