Ticks are parasites found on the bodies of pets and survive by feeding on the blood of other living beings. These bloodsucking insects look similar to spiders and are most commonly found in tall grass and may attach to the bodies of cats or dogs that pass by. Though they are found throughout the year, you are most likely to come across ticks between spring and autumn.
CAUSE OF TICKS
Our dogs pick up ticks from the environment and seldom from other animals. Ticks tend to get attracted to our pooches by their warmth, physical contact and odours, among other things. Ticks are most active in warm weather like summer or spring. It can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, equine encephalitis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and (in animals only) anaplasmosis.
Some of the symptoms are:
These troublesome parasites can cause a variety of problems for your pet. Spotting these tiny bloodsuckers in your pooches’ fur isn’t always easy but some of the noticeable symptoms are:
- - Fever
- - Itching
- - A lot of head shaking
- - Unexplained scabs
- - Small Bumps
- - Redness and inflamed skin
- - Loss of appetite
- - Lethargy
How to spot & remove ticks from your pooches’ fur?
Ticks are most commonly found around a dog’s head, neck, ear and feet. A tick feels like a small bump on your pet’s skin. Run your hands over your dog’s body when you get back from a walk to check for any lumps.
If and when you find a tick, never squeeze the tick’s body, or allow its head to get stuck inside your dog. Squeezing a tick’s body can cause it to expel blood back into your dog, increasing the risk for infections. Twisting them off your dog is the best removal method. You may ask your vet for further advice.
Preventive Measures
1. Juice them Away
Ticks are known to be repelled by citrus flavours & odours. Juice from a freshly squeezed orange or lemon can be lightly rubbed onto your dog’s fur before taking them out for a walk or short trips.
2. Rub-a-Dub Tub
A thorough bath in a tub of water will wash away most of the ticks from your pet’s body. Using a gentle pet shampoo along with thorough brushing will also help remove most ticks from the pet.
3. A Clean Home is a Healthy Home
Always keep your house and nearby surroundings clean as a dirty environment attracts ticks. Keeping your lawn, bushes, and trees trimmed. It will help reduce the number of fleas and ticks in your backyard. You can also get external help in clearing up your lawns or spraying with disinfectants.
4. Natural Oils
Ticks carry dangerous bacteria which causes severe diseases in pets, therefore controlling such diseases is a priority. Some of the natural repellents are rose geranium oil and Tickweed which works efficiently in tick removal. One can also make their own tick repellent by combining 20 drops of either of the oil with 2 tablespoons of almond oil. Mix them and apply on your doggo’s neck.
5. Suit them up/ Dress them
Ticks are usually found in tall grasses. Visiting such areas with your dog always brings ticks at home. So, try and cover up your dog to avoid ticks when visiting an area with tall grasses & bushes.
Always visit a vet if your dog has a severe infestation which means finding 5 or more ticks in a span of a day!
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