Tick and snake season is here: is your dog’s accident cover ready?

The warmer months are coming, so you need to protect your dog from ticks and snake bites! We look at how accident-only insurance can help.

Spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. It's great news for good weather and outdoor activities for your dog -- but it also means they're at more risk of paralysis ticks and snake bites!

Australia's climate means that spring and summer are the peak period for creepy-crawlies causing harm to pets – though these prevail year round!

So before you start taking your furry friend out to explore, it's important to have some protective measures in place.

Today, let's take a look at some of the ways that having accident pet insurance in place can help.

Learn more about Ruff'n'Tumble

Tick paralysis: What it is and why it's an emergency

Ticks are parasitic insects that thrive on heat and an easy blood supply. So it's no surprise that certain kinds are attracted to dogs!

But this is a problem. Unlike fleas, which are just itchy and annoying, ticks can cause much more serious health issues. Some ticks release a neurotoxin into your dog's body, which causes serious illness, respiratory issues, paralysis and potentially death if it's untreated.

It's a widespread issue, too. An ABC report from 2024 suggested that ticks were expected to cause 4,000-5,000 vet visits during that tick season.

Dogs NSW has also flagged that canine ehrlichiosis, which is potentially deadly to dogs, has seen a significant spread across northern Australia since it was first identified in 2020. You can see more information about other pests on the Ruff'n'Tumble blog, too.

But in short -- ticks are bad news for dogs. You can see a breakdown of common tick locations around Australia below:

If you do realise your dog has a tick, it's important to get them to a vet ASAP. Tick bites themselves can be tricky to spot. But there are some other symptoms you can keep an eye out for:

• Weakness in the legs
• Vomiting or loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing or excessive drooling
• A change in your pet's bark or meow
• Intense scratching and biting at the skin
• Patchy hair loss
• Scabs or crusty skin

But once you do get to the vet, costs can start adding up very quickly.

According to PetSure claims data from 2025, the average treatment cost relating to tick paralysis for dogs was $3,484.

That's no small amount in isolation, but consider that the maximum claim amount was $59,147.

The good news is that opting for accident-only insurance can help keep the costs down.

For example, Ruff'n'Tumble has a flat $40/month premium for dogs of any age or breed, and a $500 excess if an accident does occur and you need to visit a vet.

There's no annual payout limit, with 100% of eligible costs covered with no sub-limits, you just pay the excess per accident claim.

In a moment we'll take a look at some tips to keep your four-legged friend safe. But if they do get a tick, knowing they have cover can be handy.

Snake bites: Deadly threats to dogs

Everyone "knows" Australia is full of deadly snakes -- it's practically a punchline for overseas visitors at this point.

But snake bites are no laughing matter, especially for our canine companions.

In fact, according to Petsure data, there are an estimated 6,000 snake bites to dogs every year in Australia. If they're not treated quickly, they can be extremely painful and fatal.

As with tick bites, snake bites aren't always obvious. You need to keep a close eye on your pet whenever you take them out. And if you do suspect that they've been bitten, look for any of the following signs:

• Progressive weakness or paralysis
• Dilated pupils
• Breathing difficulties
• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle spasms
• Collapse or unsteadiness
• Vomiting
• Excessive bleeding

Depending on the type of snake, these symptoms can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to appear. You can read more about snake bites, their risk to dogs and what you can do if your dog is bitten on the Ruff'n'Tumble blog.

As with tick bites, the vet costs can add up very quickly. According to PetSure, in 2025 the average claim for snake bite treatment was $2,447, with the highest amount claimed coming in at $46,921 for severe cases.

Accident-only cover from a provider like Ruff'n'Tumble can help mitigate these costs. If you've got a policy, you're able to make a claim via the Ruff'n'Tumble app, use GapOnly^® at participating vets or lodge via eClaim.

A dog owner's safety checklist

Below, we've put together some simple ways that you can help keep your pet safe during the warmer months from ticks and snakes.

☐ Routine tick checks

Whenever you take your dog out for an adventure, make sure you check them thoroughly for ticks afterwards. Ticks typically prefer to attach themselves to a dog's neck, head or toes, but they'll latch on wherever they can.

☐ Avoid known danger areas

During the warmer months, local news will often report on hotspots for ticks or snakes. Keeping an ear out can help you avoid potential areas for danger when you're taking your dog out for a walk or an adventure.

☐ Use preventative products

Dogs can be treated with preventative products for ticks, just like worms and fleas. Speak to your vet about which of these preventative products is right for your pet, and make sure you're using them on schedule.

☐ Be aware of the symptoms

We've listed some of the common symptoms of ticks and snake bites in this article. You can also use resources like the Ruff'n'Tumble blog, the CSIRO website and news sites to keep an eye out for additional information.

☐ Keep a close eye on your dog while you're out and about

It only takes an instant for a snake to strike. So keeping a close eye on your dog while you're out and about can make a big difference. If you do spot a snake, you can take evasive action. If a bite does occur, you'll also be able to more easily identify the snake for anti-venom purposes.

☐ Know the location of the nearest after-hours vet

If a tick is discovered or a snake bite occurs, time is of the essence. Make sure you know where the nearest after-hours vet is in relation to your home!

Learn more about getting cover for your dog with Ruff'n'Tumble

Terms and conditions

*T&Cs Apply. All information and pricing accurate as at August 2026, subject to change. Policies issued by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd. Consider the PDS & TMD before purchasing: ruffntumble.com.au

Offer commences on 25 August 2026 at 12:00am AET and ends on 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm AET (Offer Period).

Offer provides new customers with two consecutive policy periods (equivalent to two months of cover) free of charge when they purchase a new Ruff 'n' Tumble Mishap Insurance policy online during the Offer Period (Offer).

Offer only applies to the first two policy periods from the initial policy commencement date.

Eligible customers will not be charged a premium for the first two policy periods. The Offer will be applied to the premium at the time of purchase and to the premium on the first policy renewal. Premium payments will commence from the third policy period (month 3), provided the policy continues to be renewed and is not cancelled in accordance with the policy terms and conditions.

Promo code RNT2MF must be entered online by the customer at the time of purchase for this Offer to apply.

Offer applies to new Ruff 'n' Tumble Mishap Insurance policies only and is limited to one redemption of the Offer per customer during the Offer Period.

Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer unless stated otherwise. Offer is available online only.

No refund or credit is payable if the policy is cancelled during the first two policy periods.

Ruff 'n' Tumble reserves the right to withdraw, vary, or extend the Offer at any time, without notice. Eligibility criteria, exclusions, waiting periods and excesses apply—refer to the PDS at ruffntumble.com.au.