How to effectively protect your dog from ticks?
Ticks have always been a serious matter. Countless diseases, countless complications. Fighting ticks is primarily about prevention – treating tick-borne diseases can, unfortunately, end tragically.
Tick on a dog – how to recognize it?
Ticks are arachnids that are exquisitely adapted to attack their prey. They can sense a host by scent, vibrations, light (the shadow cast by the dog), and even body heat from a distance of up to… 20 METERS! When a tick bites, it's imperceptible due to the spider's saliva, which contains anesthetic substances. When drinking blood, the tick vomits, and only then does it spread various diseases. The tick on a dog itself is easy to recognize – its characteristic structure immediately helps identify the parasite.
How to remove a tick from a dog?
It's best if a vet does it, but there are situations where we are on our own. A tick is removed with tweezers or special parasite removal tools. Gently grip it as close to the skin as possible with a firm motion and pull it out, or twist it, which often results in a lower risk of breaking the tick in half. Do not squeeze it to avoid introducing its contents under the skin. Remember that the rule of twisting counter-clockwise is absolutely true – ticks usually screw themselves in clockwise, hence twisting the tweezers counter-clockwise. However, if you visit the vet for this, you can observe and ask for future reference how to remove a tick from a dog, so that next time you can act on your own immediately. After all, the sooner we remove the arachnid, the better. Observe your dog after a tick is removed, because tick-borne diseases develop over time, so if you notice strange behavior in your dog, immediately schedule an appointment at the veterinary clinic.
How to prevent ticks?
We can protect our four-legged friend in several ways. Collars, sprays, spot-on drops, or tick tablets, which have recently become available, are the best solutions if we want to prevent them. Despite protective measures, after every walk, we should brush our dog to potentially find uninvited guests and get rid of them before they decide to try to feed on our pet. It is important to remember that there is no perfect product that protects against ticks 100%. Keep track of medication dates, exactly when to change the collar, and don't panic if you find a tick on your dog! The latest preparations do not always repel, but they always kill before the tick can infect with anything.
A silicone glove is a good choice when you want to clean your pet after a walk.
Read also: Preventive health check-ups for your dog - do you remember them?
Tick preparations
Sprays are effective for small dogs, up to about 2 kg, and puppies that cannot yet use other methods of protection. For larger dog breeds, this is a very troublesome method, as the preparation needs to be sprayed four to ten times per kilogram, so for a 50 kg Bernese Mountain Dog, a maximum of 500 sprays is simply impossible. Spot-on drops for ticks are usually applied to the nape of the neck and along the dog's back in several places. Like sprays, they affect the tick's nervous system without harming the dog. Remember to apply the drops to DRY skin, parting the hair, and use the entire package, not in portions. Also, be careful that the dog does not lick off the preparation and to reapply every 4 weeks. We buy drops from the vet, who can best match the appropriate dose for us. Tablets contain an active substance that eventually reaches fatty and muscle tissue, as well as organs such as the liver and kidneys. From there, it is released, depending on the preparation, for several weeks. They should not be crushed or given to dogs with digestive system diseases, or smaller dog breeds weighing less than 2 kg. After taking the tablet, the dog may experience temporary gastrointestinal disturbances.
Anti-parasitic collars
I always buy a dog collar for ticks from a veterinarian so that I don't accidentally buy a collar that only repels ticks. It should be put on so that it fits snugly against the dog – it shouldn't be loose. You can bathe with it, but it's better to take the collar off the dog during water play and quickly put it back on after the fur dries. However, most importantly – the collar may not work for dogs with a lot of fur and undercoat! It works perfectly for my Bernese Mountain Dog, where the collar's 6-8 month effectiveness is an amazing advantage. The scent may be intense, but there are also unscented versions, which I recommend if someone is very sensitive to smells. The substances in the collar provide long-lasting protection, but it is recommended to wipe it with a cotton pad moistened with alcohol from time to time to reactivate them.
A bathing hose with a massaging tip is relaxing for dogs. They will enjoy bathing like never before.
Homemade tick remedies
There are, of course, natural methods that should reduce the risk of bites, but veterinarians agree on one thing – it is better to buy a suitable preparation that will certainly bring results. One of the homemade tick remedies is herbs:
- Lavender repels not only ticks but also fleas, flies, and moths from the wardrobe.
- The bitter taste of sage is also unpleasant to ticks, which can be exploited.
- Peppermint, with its fresh aroma, can also effectively act against ticks.
- Rosemary has a relaxing effect on us and improves concentration, which cannot be said for ticks.
- Thyme effectively repels all insects.
- Lemon balm has a similar scent to lemon, which ticks dislike approaching.
- Geranium mimics an annoying scent for ticks – the scent of roses.
Essential oils of the above-mentioned herbs, clove, and patchouli work great. Just dilute them: place 5 drops of a given oil in 50 ml of vegetable oil and apply it. Talking to the vet about this, he advised against using such homemade methods and to have faith in the product he recommended to me. I was not disappointed at all, although I use these homemade methods on myself – I simply love the smell of herbs and citrus. Don't wait to buy appropriate preparations to protect your pet. Let's not risk our four-legged friend's health, nor tempt fate. No matter which method you choose, each has its pros and cons, which are worth discussing with your veterinarian.
