Tick bites and tick-borne infections are particularly dangerous to dogs. Most tickborne diseases that dogs can contract do not have vaccines, and they do not prevent dogs from introducing ticks into your home. Tick prevention products should be used on your dog for these reasons.
Tick bites on dogs can be difficult to spot. If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a tick, keep an eye out for changes in behavior or appetite for 7-21 days or longer following the tick bite.
Take preventative measures.
Many pet owners treat their pets with spot-on flea and tick medicines. Before stepping inside, use a flea comb or brush to go over your pet’s coat to reduce the quantity of parasites it carries.
Do you have a pet with long hair? Pests can hide there more easily. So, during the summer, consider shaving your pet to make it simpler to identify concerns.
Keep your house tidy.
The presence of fleas and ticks in your home does not indicate that it is filthy. However, if you pay close attention to particular places, bugs will be less welcome. Immature fleas’ developmental stages (flea eggs, larvae, and pupae) are frequently found in carpeting and throw rugs. Vacuum at least once a week, and more frequently if fleas are found.
Don’t just vacuum the center of the room when you vacuum. Fleas avoid high-traffic areas, so check baseboards, under furniture, beneath cushions, and any other places where your pets sleep or spend time. According to Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Extension Service, this can kill 30 percent of larvae and 60 percent of flea eggs.
To kill emerging fleas, change vacuum bags frequently or place a flea collar in the bag. If your pet travels in your vehicle, vacuum it as well.
To kill flea eggs and larvae, wash your pet’s bedding, crate, and toys in hot water once a week.
Treat or Prevent Infestations.
Infestations in your home are far less common today thanks to excellent flea and tick control solutions you can use on your dogs.
If fleas do get into your home, take steps to get rid of them and keep them away. First, thoroughly vacuum your carpets. Immediately dispose of the bag after vacuuming since eggs and larvae will continue to develop in it. After that, scrub or steam clean the carpet to get rid of any remaining fleas and larvae. Cleaning the carpets first permits the insecticide to go deeper into the carpet if you choose to use one in your home.
Apply shampoo.
Ticks are often killed on contact when your dog is bathed with a shampoo containing medicinal chemicals. This is an affordable (but time-consuming) way of tick protection for your dog during tick season. Because the effective chemicals won’t remain as long as a spot-on or oral treatment, you’ll need to repeat the process every two weeks.
Use spot-on treatment.
Using an over-the-counter spot-on flea and tick medicine from your veterinarian, pet store, or internet can be a very effective means of tick and flea control. For up to a month, these drugs are successful at keeping parasites at bay. While these medications are beneficial, you must be cautious about the one you use. Make sure you read all labels thoroughly, and if you have any questions, seek guidance from your veterinarian before using.
Use tick collars.
Tick-repellent collars are another option, albeit they are mostly used to protect the neck and head against ticks. To transfer the chemicals onto your dog’s fur and skin, the tick collar must make contact with his skin. When putting this type of collar on your dog, make sure there’s just enough room beneath the collar to fit two fingers under it when it’s around the dog’s neck. To keep your dog from chewing on the collar, cut off any excess length. In case of an allergic reaction to the collar, look for indicators of pain (e.g., excessive scratching). When choosing a collar, make sure to read the labels thoroughly.
