7 Habits to help protect your dog from ticks
This article intends to offer simple solutions for the average dog owner to keep ticks at bay. While they may not eliminate ticks, these are practical methods at ensuring they are under control and protect your pet.
The Dangers of Ticks on your Pet
Apart from the blood-sucking, ticks present danger to not only your dog’s health but also you. Ticks characteristics as disease vectors is always a point of concern as transmission to the host happens faster than expected. Some ticks do only cause temporary conditions to the dog; they could manifest into more complicated situations that could be life-threatening. Some of the tick-borne diseases that pose a danger to your dog might include
1. Lyme disease
2. Rocky Mountain spotted fever
3. Bartonella
4. Babesiosis
5. Ehrlichiosis
6. Anaplasmosis
7. Hepatozoonosis
Actions that Could Save your Dog from Ticks
For dog owners struggling against ticks is a challenge in itself. The sight of seeing your dog scratching and irritated is very frustrating. However, we have found tidbits that could prove useful in consolidating your dog’s conditions and keeping the pesky ticks at bay. Here are the practices that you could do piously as a sign of god measure against ticks.
Regular Baths
While it may seem simple, regular bathing your dog helps keep them well-groomed and consequently reduces the chances of carrying external parasites. You can do this every fortnightly with a specially formulated anti-tick shampoo that has medicated ingredients to kill the ticks.
Comb and Frisk
It may sound unimportant, but combing and frisking do help in protecting from ticks. The concept is that combing and frisking prevent hair from matting which is how ticks get to hide on the dogs.
Regular use of Anti-tick Products
Luckily, there are several tick-preventive items one can purchase to protect their pet form ticks. There are products such as a tick collar, anti-tick soaps, powders, dips or topical tick repellents. However, be sure the products are not toxic.
Keep a Trimmed Lawn
Trimming the bushes, trees, and grass around the house help prevent a tick infestation within the vegetation. Ultimately, this will ensure you can play and breed your dog around your home with fewer chances of being affected.
Identify the Tick Season
Ticks are seasonal parasites, and it is best to know when they strike the most. As such you could protect your dog from these external parasites by regulating his movement during such times
Sources: CT, Tufts
Copyright: Local Value
