Attachment sites of Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus/Ixodes canisuga and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks and risk factors of infestation intensity and engorgement duration in dogs and cats

Individual as well as breed specific characteristics can lead to a higher tick infestation intensity or longer engorgement duration. The knowledge of tick attachment sites and specific risk factors can help to raise awareness among owners concerning the importance of tick control with licensed acaricides, as recommended e.g. by the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP), and may aid in early tick removal to decrease the risk of pathogen transmission to dogs and cats whose owners nonetheless refuse acaricidal drugs.