Spring on the Coffs Coast means beach walks, bush wanders and, unfortunately, the return of the paralysis tick. Our region is one of the highest-risk areas in the country, so a little know-how now can genuinely save your pet’s life.
Paralysis ticks are one of the most serious threats our pets face, and they are a fact of life along our coast. The good news is that with the right prevention and a daily check, you can keep your furry family members safe. Here is what every Coffs Coast pet owner needs to know this spring.
Quick summary
- The Coffs Coast is prime paralysis tick country, and adults peak from spring into early summer.
- Early signs include wobbly back legs, a change in bark or meow, and retching.
- Tick paralysis is a life-threatening emergency that needs a vet straight away.
- Search your pet from nose to tail every day during the season.
- No prevention is 100 percent, so pair a good product with daily checks.
If your pet is wobbly, weak, breathing strangely, retching or has a changed voice, do not wait and see. This is an emergency. Contact your vet or an emergency vet immediately.
Know Your Enemy: The Paralysis Tick
Understanding this little parasite is the first step to protecting your pet from it.
What They Look Like and Where They Lurk
The Australian paralysis tick is a small, oval, seed-shaped parasite that grows as it feeds. It lives in bush, scrub and long grass, and is carried around by native wildlife, with bandicoots a particular favourite host. Because they travel on wildlife, ticks turn up not just on bushy blocks but in suburban backyards and local parks too (RSPCA NSW). If you live anywhere near bushland on the North Coast, your pet is at risk.
Why Spring Is Peak Danger Season
The adult female ticks that cause most cases of paralysis are most active from spring into early summer, which makes September the time to lift your guard (Animal Emergency Service). That said, our warm, humid coast means ticks can be found all year round, so prevention should never really stop.
Spotting the Signs Early
The toxin works fast, so knowing the signs can make all the difference.
Symptoms Every Coffs Coast Pet Owner Should Know
The earliest signs of tick paralysis in dogs and cats can be vague, such as lethargy, going off their food and the odd vomit. From there things can progress quickly to wobbliness or weakness in the back legs, a change in the sound of the bark or meow, retching or gagging, drooling, and laboured or noisy breathing (RSPCA Knowledgebase). Signs often appear a few days after a tick attaches, so they can show up even after a tick has dropped off.
What to Do if You Find a Tick or See Symptoms
Treat this as the emergency it is. If you find a tick and feel confident, remove it straight away by grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling it out with slow, steady pressure, taking care not to squeeze its body. Then keep looking, because where there is one tick there are often more. Whether or not you find a tick, if your pet is showing any symptoms, keep them calm and cool and get to a vet immediately. Do not offer food or water if swallowing looks affected, and never take a wait-and-see approach, because early treatment with antitoxin saves lives.
The Daily Tick Check
A thorough daily search is your single best everyday defence.
How to Search Your Pet Properly
Run your fingertips slowly through your pet’s coat, pressing firmly enough to feel any small lumps or bumps on the skin. Most ticks attach forward of the front legs, around the head, neck, ears and shoulders, so start there, but do not stop until you have checked everywhere (University of Queensland). Check inside and around the ears, around the eyes and lips, under the chin and collar, between the toes and around the tail and back end. Make it part of your daily routine during the season, and always search after a walk through bush or long grass.
Prevention Options That Suit Your Pet
A daily check is vital, but a good preventative does the heavy lifting.
Spot-Ons, Collars, Chews and Washes
Modern dog tick treatment comes in several forms, including chews and tablets, spot-on liquids, collars, sprays and washes. The right choice depends on your pet’s species, age, weight and lifestyle, and you should always follow the product’s label directions closely. Tick and flea products are regulated in Australia by the APVMA, so look for a product registered for your situation (APVMA). One crucial safety point: never use a dog product on a cat, as some are highly toxic to cats. And remember that no product is completely foolproof, which is exactly why prevention and daily checks go hand in hand. If you are unsure what suits your pet, have a chat with our team or your vet.
Backyard Defence
You can make your yard less tick-friendly, too. Keep the grass mown, clear away leaf litter and dense undergrowth, and try to create a buffer between bushland and the areas where your pets play. Discouraging wildlife from nesting right next to pet zones helps reduce how many ticks hitch a ride into the yard.
How Coffs Harbour Produce Can Help
We stock a range of tick prevention and pet accessories, including tick removal tools, and our team is happy to help you weigh up the options for each pet. Pop into our Coffs Harbour store or our sister store Valley Rural Supplies in Nambucca Heads, and remember we offer free next-day delivery across the greater Coffs Harbour region (order by 3pm, conditions apply). One important note: if your pet is already showing symptoms, skip the shopping trip and get straight to a vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is paralysis tick season on the Coffs Coast?
Ticks can appear all year round here, but the dangerous adult ticks peak from spring into early summer. That makes spring the time to be most vigilant with prevention and daily checks.
What are the first signs of tick paralysis in dogs?
The first signs are often subtle, such as lethargy, going off food and the occasional vomit, followed quickly by wobbly back legs and a change in bark. Any of these means you should search for ticks and call a vet.
How do I remove a paralysis tick?
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and remove it with slow, steady pressure, taking care not to squeeze its body. Then get your pet to a vet, even if they seem fine, because symptoms can appear later.
Where do ticks usually attach on pets?
Most are found forward of the front legs, around the head, neck, ears and shoulders, but they can attach anywhere. Always check the whole body, including inside the ears, between the toes and under the tail.
Can I use the same tick product on my dog and cat?
No. Never use a dog product on a cat, as some are highly toxic to cats. Always choose a product registered for that species and follow the label directions.
Keep Your Pets Safe This Spring
A little vigilance now means you can enjoy the best of a Coffs Coast spring with your pets. If you would like help choosing tick prevention, the team at Coffs Harbour Produce is at 26 June Street, Coffs Harbour, on 02 6652 2599, or you can send an online enquiry. Call, email, or drop in for a chat. And if your pet is unwell, please see a vet straight away.
References
- RSPCA NSW, Tick season: protecting your pet, https://www.rspcansw.org.au/animal-care-information/tick-season-protecting-your-pet/
- Animal Emergency Service, The ultimate guide to tick paralysis, https://animalemergencyservice.com.au/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-tick-paralysis/
- RSPCA Knowledgebase, How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis?, https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/how-can-i-protect-my-dog-or-cat-from-tick-paralysis
- University of Queensland, Paralysis ticks prefer heads and necks of pets, https://news.uq.edu.au/2025-10-paralysis-ticks-prefer-heads-and-necks-pets
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), https://www.apvma.gov.au/
