Dog tick prevention is essential to prevent a plethora of illnesses caused by tick bites. Many of these illnesses cause permanent damage and could prove to be the bane of the health and wellbeing of your pet. An important dog tick prevention method is to regularly check your pets for ticks and also observe their behavior for signs of a tick infestation. If you have specific bedding for your dog, wash the mattress and blankets regularly and dry them at a high setting. Disinfect all toys as well to keep the dog and its surroundings clean of ticks and other disease causing vectors like fleas.
Tick Sprays
Use products like tick sprays to keep ticks away from your dog when you and your best friend are out camping or walking in the wooded areas. You could use tick sprays just before going out to infested regions as a precautionary measure. If you live in wooded areas or there are other pets around that have been infested with ticks in the past, you could use the tick spray at regular intervals. As with other tick control products do not use it near the dog’s eyes, nose and mouth. Do not allow your pet to lick its coat as soon as your use the spray.
Cleanliness and hygiene
Vacuum your house and trim the hedges and lawn regularly. Sweep up the dried leaves and debris in your lawn and keep your house dry. If your pet is already infested with ticks, use the tick spray in the area your pet frequents but take care that the pets or other animals and children do not ingest it. The same goes with tick powder as well that can be used on the carpets and in the lawn for dog tick prevention. Wash all pet bedding frequently using hot water and soap. Dry the bedding in the highest heat setting it can withstand without damage.
Restricting outdoor time in peak season
At the height of tick season, let your dog waddle about the house instead of spending excess time outdoors so as to prevent contact with ticks. Dog tick prevention is important for the health and well being of both pet and humans. Late spring and summer are the seasons when ticks are rampant. If your dog is active, you can talk to your vet about pills, injections or tick collars for tick prevention.
Tick shampoos and dips
Specialized products like tick shampoos are readily available or you can get them at your vet’s. They can effectively keep ticks away from your pet and to some extent get rid of them after a run outdoors in a tick infested region. Tick shampoos are best tick products and most dogs love them for they give them a frothy bath and keep them clean and safe. You can also make tick dips by buying concentrated products and diluting them in a tub of water. Make sure your dog doesn’t consume the shampoo or the water from the dip. When using bath dips, make sure you read the labels carefully. Check with your vet in advance if your dog is old enough for a dip. Some chemicals used in the dips also affect fetuses and should not be used on pregnant bitches. Make sure your vet clears your pet as well as your choice of dip before use.
Oral pills
Oral pills are great for tick prevention on dogs. These pills will kill all the ticks as well as the eggs and larvae. Some species of fleas are also killed with this medication. It is safe and no additional care is required watching your dog from consuming unwanted material.
Other dog tick prevention products like tick powders and tick collars are also effective. Although tick powders are some of the best and safest tick products, dogs must not lick them, just like tick sprays. The products also must not come in contact with pet’s eyes. Do not let your pet or other animals and your own children ingest the powder. Tick collars are comparatively less effective since they only secure the neck, head and a bit of the back. However, when using the tick collar, make sure it is not too tight and do cut off the excess length. It is dangerous for your pet to chew on the excess collar. When purchasing products like tick shampoos and dips, make sure they work for the species, age and weight of your dog. Read the labels carefully before subjecting your pet to these products that might do more harm than good.
