Ticks are what is known as a ‘vector’ for zoonotic disease transmission. In other words, they carry microorganisms that cause diseases in both animals and people, from one animal to another. Disease transmission occurs when ticks feed.
 

For ticks to transmit disease, they must first feed on an infected animal, then fall to the ground, then develop into the next stage of their life cycle, and finally jump aboard another animal and feed again.
 

The three most important tick-borne diseases that British pet owners should be aware of are: