dog tick

noun

: any of several ticks commonly infesting dogs: such as

a

: american dog tick

b

: brown dog tick

Examples of dog tick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ticks can carry several diseases, and dog ticks are no exception. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

The Kansas City area is home to multiple species of these blood-sucking insects, including the American dog tick, lone star tick and deer tick. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2024

This tick, along with the American dog tick and brown dog tick, can infect people with a potentially fatal disease called Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).5 Where Do Ticks Bite? The first thing the tick will likely do is look for a good spot to bite. —Maria Masters, Health, 9 June 2024

Several common types of ticks can be found in Michigan this season, including: American dog tick: Active from May to November in Michigan forests and grassy areas. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 14 May 2024

The American dog tick and the brown dog tick are also responsible for spreading the Rocky Mountain spotted fever. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 5 May 2024

Other ticks like the dog ticks favor hairy environments and are often found attached to the scalp. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 16 July 2023

The range of the dog tick is spreading, and the importation of dogs carrying the ticks is not helping matters any. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 20 June 2023

Also check your dogs because dog ticks can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can also infect humans. —Timmy Broderick, Scientific American, 14 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dog tick

noun

: a common North American tick especially of dogs and human beings that may transmit the bacterium causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

Medical Definition

dog tick

noun

: any of several ticks infesting dogs and commonly other animals: as

a

: american dog tick

b

: brown dog tick