Can dogs get fleas & ticks in the winter?

When temperatures drop, many pet parents assume their dogs are safe from fleas and ticks. Unfortunately, these persistent parasites are tougher than you might think, and winter doesn't mean your pup gets a break from prevention. 

The truth is that fleas and ticks can survive during the cold winter months because of climate change, urban sprawl, indoor climate control and their tolerance of low temperatures. While they may be less active than during summer's peak, they're far from gone. Understanding how these pests operate in winter can help you make smarter decisions about protecting your dog year-round. 

Fleas don't disappear when it gets cold 

Fleas are remarkably resilient creatures. They can survive outdoors in low temperatures even when there is a light frost and while freezing weather slows down their life cycle, it doesn't stop it completely. The immature pupa stage can withstand cold by going dormant until they enter warmer environments (like your house!). Adult fleas that find their way onto your dog can start laying eggs within 24 hours, regardless of what the thermometer says outside. 

The bigger concern is what's happening inside your home. Your cozy, heated house creates the perfect environment for fleas to thrive all winter long. Those comfortable indoor temperatures allow fleas to complete their entire life cycle — from egg to larva to pupa to adult — without any seasonal interruption. So even if your dog picks up just one or two fleas during a winter walk, those hitchhikers can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation in your living room. 

Ticks stay active longer than you'd expect 

Ticks are even more cold-hardy than fleas. These parasites remain active whenever temperatures climb above freezing, and they only become truly dormant when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. Some species, particularly deer ticks (which carry Lyme disease), have adapted specifically to colder weather and can remain active throughout the winter months.

"Ticks can survive in leaf litter and snow cover, emerging on warmer winter days when ground temperatures rise," Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch's Chief Veterinary Officer, explains. "Pet parents often let their guard down in winter, but a single warm day can bring ticks out of hiding." 

During those unexpected warm spells that happen throughout winter, dormant ticks wake up and start looking for hosts. Your dog romping through leaves or exploring wooded areas can easily pick up these opportunistic parasites.

Climate change is making winter pest problems worse 

The changing climate has made winter flea and tick prevention more important than ever. Warmer winters with more frequent temperature swings mean parasites that once died off during cold months now survive and remain active. Those mild stretches in December or February that feel like a nice break from winter weather? They're also giving fleas and ticks extra opportunities to find hosts and reproduce. 

Geographic ranges for certain tick species are expanding too. Areas that once saw minimal tick activity during winter months are now experiencing year-round tick presence. This shift means pet parents in regions previously considered "safe" during winter need to reconsider their prevention strategies. 

Why stopping prevention in winter is risky 

Skipping flea and tick prevention during winter months leaves your dog vulnerable during a critical time. It only takes one unseasonably warm day for parasites to become active, and if your dog isn't protected, they become an easy target. Starting prevention again in spring means dealing with a gap in coverage right when parasite populations begin exploding. 

There's also the indoor factor to consider. Fleas brought inside during fall can continue reproducing all winter in your heated home. By the time you notice scratching or see fleas, you're already dealing with an established infestation that's much harder to eliminate than it would have been to prevent. 

Year-round prevention is the smart choice 

Veterinary experts across the board recommend maintaining flea and tick prevention throughout all 12 months. Modern preventives are safe, effective and much easier than dealing with an infestation or tick-borne illness.

Talk to your veterinarian about which prevention option works best for your dog's lifestyle and your local climate. Some areas may have higher risk than others, but no region is completely free from winter flea and tick activity anymore.