You love your dog. You’d do anything to keep them safe, healthy, and bounding through life with that tail-wagging joy. The sunshine beckons, trails call your name, and your pup looks at you with those eyes that say “adventure, please?” Then you remember: ticks. Those tiny, disease-carrying hitchhikers that can turn a blissful walk into a health nightmare.
Let’s be honest, tick talk isn’t glamorous. It’s actually pretty unsettling when you think about what these little parasites can do to our four-legged family members. Yet ignoring the problem won’t make it disappear. Tick populations are exploding across the United States, and some states are bearing the brunt more than others. If you live in one of these hotspots, or you’re planning to travel there with your dog, you need to know what you’re up against. The good news? Knowledge is power, and being prepared can mean the difference between a scary diagnosis and a healthy, happy pup. So let’s dive into the top five states where ticks are thriving in 2025, and what that means for you and your dog.
New York: The Epicenter of Tick-Borne Disease
New York consistently ranks at the top for tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, which poses serious risks to dogs. Picture this: you’re hiking in the Adirondacks or strolling through Central Park, and your dog is sniffing every inch of ground. Roughly one-third of the deer ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi (causes Lyme disease), meaning that nearly every third tick your dog encounters could transmit this debilitating illness.
Ticks are carrying more diseases than just Lyme, including Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis. I think what makes New York particularly concerning is the sheer density of infected ticks combined with the state’s diverse landscapes where dogs love to explore. From suburban backyards to dense forests, ticks are everywhere.
Watch for subtle signs in your dog: sudden lameness that shifts from leg to leg, loss of appetite, fever, or swollen joints. Lyme disease can cause stiffness, lameness, swollen joints, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue, and your dog may not show signs until several months after infected. Early detection matters tremendously.
Pennsylvania: A Tick Haven for Your Furry Friend
Pennsylvania ranks second among states with the most cases of tick-borne diseases, and dog owners here face constant vigilance. The state’s mix of woodlands, farmland, and suburban sprawl creates ideal conditions for tick populations to thrive. Pennsylvania had nearly 30 percent of all reported Lyme disease cases in recent years, which tells you everything you need to know about the risk level.
Here’s the thing: Pennsylvania’s tick problem isn’t confined to rural areas. Your dog can pick up ticks in city parks, neighborhood green spaces, even your own backyard. The blacklegged tick and American dog tick are both prevalent here, each carrying different diseases that can harm your pup.
If your dog suddenly seems tired, refuses food, or develops a limp, don’t wait. After recent outdoor activity, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with your vet for diagnostic testing, as bloodwork and in-house diagnostic tests help identify antibodies or organisms related to tick-borne diseases. Pennsylvania vets see these cases regularly, so they know exactly what to look for.
New Jersey: Small State, Big Tick Problem
Don’t let New Jersey’s size fool you. New Jersey ranks third for tick-borne diseases, and the Garden State’s tick populations are dense and dangerous. The proximity of wooded areas to residential neighborhoods means your dog doesn’t need to venture far to encounter infected ticks.
New Jersey experiences a high incidence of Lyme disease, and the mix of suburban developments adjacent to wooded areas facilitates tick-human interactions, which of course includes our dogs too. After every walk, you should be doing thorough tick checks, focusing on areas where ticks love to hide: between toes, inside ears, around the neck, and in the groin area.
Prevention is absolutely critical here. Monthly tick preventatives aren’t optional in New Jersey; they’re essential. Talk to your vet about year-round protection because honestly, ticks don’t always follow the seasonal rules we’d like them to.
Wisconsin: Upper Midwest Tick Territory
Wisconsin dog owners know the struggle all too well. Wisconsin ranks fourth for tick-borne diseases, and the state’s beautiful lakes, forests, and trails are unfortunately prime tick habitat. Lyme disease is prevalent in Wisconsin, and the combination of wooded regions and lakeshores provides favorable environments for ticks.
What worries me most about Wisconsin is how active outdoor culture intersects with tick prevalence. Dogs here are often adventurous, swimming, hiking, and exploring all year. The progressive northward expansion of the lone star tick brings increased risk of ehrlichiosis into Wisconsin, adding another layer of concern beyond Lyme disease.
Watch your dog carefully after outdoor adventures. Tick-borne diseases in dogs cause serious symptoms like fever, joint pain, and fatigue. If your normally energetic Lab suddenly can’t make it through a walk, or your Border Collie starts limping for no apparent reason, get them checked immediately.
Maine: Where Wilderness Meets Tick Danger
Maine’s rugged beauty comes with a hidden danger for dogs. Maine ranks fifth for tick-borne diseases, and the state’s vast forests and outdoor recreation opportunities mean constant exposure for our canine companions. The blacklegged tick thrives in Maine’s climate and terrain, making every hike, every beach walk, every backyard romp a potential tick encounter.
The tick vector of Lyme disease continues to expand its geographic range, and while these ticks are found across much of the eastern half of the United States, populations in the North appear to pose a higher risk, and these populations are spreading South and West. Maine sits squarely in this high-risk zone.
Here’s what I want you to remember: Maine dogs need vigilant protection. After every outdoor excursion, run your hands thoroughly over your dog’s entire body. Ticks can be incredibly small, especially in their nymph stage, so take your time. Remove any ticks immediately using fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight out without twisting. The faster you remove a tick, the lower the chance of disease transmission.
Protecting Your Best Friend From Ticks
Now that you know which states pose the highest risk, let’s talk practical protection. To make an informed decision about protecting your dog from tick-borne disease, talk to your veterinarian about the best tick-control approach for your dog. Different preventatives work better in different regions, and your vet knows what’s most effective locally.
Year-round use of preventive products remains the best means of providing comprehensive internal and external parasite control. I know some people think they can skip winter months, but honestly, that’s risky. Ticks can be active whenever temperatures rise above freezing, which happens more frequently than you’d think.
Consider the Lyme vaccine if you live in or frequently visit high-risk areas. The Lyme vaccine is recommended for dogs in high-risk areas and can provide additional protection. It’s not a replacement for tick preventatives, but it adds another layer of defense for your pup.
Conclusion
Tick-borne diseases represent one of the most significant health threats facing dogs in the United States today, particularly in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Maine. These five states bear the heaviest burden of tick infestations and the diseases they carry. Your dog depends on you to keep them safe, and that means taking ticks seriously.
The beautiful trails, parks, and wilderness areas in these states shouldn’t become off-limits to you and your dog. Instead, arm yourself with knowledge, invest in proper prevention, and stay vigilant. Check your dog after every outdoor adventure, use year-round preventatives, and don’t hesitate to call your vet if something seems off. Early detection and treatment make all the difference.
What’s your experience with ticks where you live? Have you found any prevention strategies that work particularly well for your dog? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
