The paralysis tick is one of Australia's most dangerous parasites for dogs and cats. Found along much of the eastern coastline, these tiny arachnids inject a potent neurotoxin that can cause paralysis — and even death — in untreated pets. Understanding where paralysis ticks thrive in Australia and maintaining year-round tick protection for your dogs (and cats) is essential for every pet owner living in or travelling through tick-prone regions.
What Are Paralysis Ticks?
The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is a small, hard-bodied parasite that attaches to a host animal and feeds on blood. While feeding, it secretes a neurotoxin called holocyclotoxin into the bloodstream.
An engorged female paralysis tick can swell to the size of a fingernail and is usually grey-blue in colour. They're often confused with harmless bush ticks or cattle ticks, but the consequences of a paralysis tick bite are far more severe. Without prompt treatment, the toxin progressively shuts down a pet's nervous system.
Native wildlife such as bandicoots and possums are the tick's natural hosts and have developed a degree of immunity. Domestic dogs and cats, however, have no such resistance, making effective tick protection critically important.
Where Do Paralysis Ticks Live in Australia?
Paralysis ticks are predominantly found along Australia's eastern seaboard, from far north Queensland down through New South Wales and into eastern Victoria. They thrive in warm, humid bushland — particularly in coastal scrub, rainforest margins, and areas with dense undergrowth.
Peak season typically runs from spring through to late autumn (September–April), but in tropical and subtropical regions of Queensland, ticks can be active year-round. Warmer-than-average winters and increased rainfall have also pushed tick habitats further south in recent years.
If you live near the bush, walk your dog through parkland, or holiday along the coast, your pet is at risk. Even suburban backyards that border bushland can harbour paralysis ticks, carried in by visiting wildlife.
Signs of Tick Paralysis in Dogs and Cats
Symptoms usually appear three to five days after a tick attaches. Early signs include a change in bark or meow, wobbliness in the hind legs, and loss of appetite. As the toxin progresses, pets may develop laboured breathing, vomiting or regurgitation, and an inability to stand.
Tick paralysis is a veterinary emergency. If you notice any of these signs, remove the tick immediately (grasp it close to the skin with a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers and pull steadily) and get your pet to a vet as quickly as possible. Time is the single most important factor in survival.
Quick tip: Run your fingertips slowly over your pet's entire body every evening — paralysis ticks feel like a small, firm bump under the fur. Pay extra attention to the face, ears, neck, chest, and between the toes, where ticks love to hide.
How to Protect Your Dog From Ticks
Reliable tick protection for dogs in Australia starts with a vet-grade preventative product used consistently and on schedule. Missed doses or expired treatments leave dangerous gaps in coverage — exactly when a tick is most likely to strike.
Long-acting chewables and spot-on treatments are among the most popular options. Browse our full range of flea, tick, and worm treatments for dogs to find a product suited to your pet's size and lifestyle. Many Australian pet owners rely on trusted brands like Bravecto, which offers extended protection periods that reduce the risk of missed doses.
Here are some practical steps to minimise your pet's exposure:
- Stay on schedule — set a phone reminder for your pet's next preventative dose.
- Keep your yard tidy — mow regularly, remove leaf litter, and trim low-hanging branches to reduce tick-friendly habitat.
- Avoid peak tick areas — stick to open, sunny paths rather than dense bush during high season.
- Use prevention year-round — especially if you're in Queensland or coastal NSW, where ticks don't take a winter break.
Remember that no preventative is 100% effective on its own. Combining a quality treatment with daily tick searches gives your pet the best possible defence.
Daily Tick Searches: A Non-Negotiable Habit
Even with a top-tier preventative on board, daily tick searches should be part of your routine if you live in or visit tick-prone areas of Australia. Prevention products work by killing or repelling ticks, but a tick can still attach before the product takes full effect.
Use your fingers rather than your eyes — ticks hide under collars, in skin folds, between toes, and inside ears. A thorough search takes only a few minutes and could save your pet's life. Make it part of your evening wind-down: a calm pat-down that doubles as a bonding session.
For long-coated breeds, consider keeping the coat trimmed shorter during tick season to make searches easier and more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can paralysis ticks affect cats as well as dogs?
Yes. Cats are just as susceptible to tick paralysis as dogs, though they can be harder to treat once symptoms develop. Make sure you use a tick preventative that is specifically labelled as safe for cats — some dog-only products are toxic to felines.
How quickly can a paralysis tick cause serious harm?
Symptoms typically develop within three to five days of attachment, but smaller pets can deteriorate faster. Once breathing becomes laboured, the situation is critical. Early detection and immediate removal dramatically improve outcomes.
Is tick protection needed in winter?
In many parts of eastern Australia — particularly Queensland and the NSW north coast — paralysis ticks remain active through winter. Year-round protection is the safest approach, especially if your area has mild, humid winters.
Don't leave your pet unprotected during tick season — or any season. Explore our dog flea, tick, and worm range to find the right preventative for your pet, and have a chat to your vet if you're unsure which product best suits your situation.