Prevent Ticks from Finding your Pet

Ticks are crafty little creatures who not only suck your blood, but also apply an anesthtetic so you don't realise you've been bitten

Ticks, those parasitic arachnids, like to attach themselves to animals just as much as to humans. They aren’t just along for the ride. They bite their host and drink its blood. The tick population really becomes active as temperatures climb, but they can be a nuisance all year round. Because of this, it’s never a bad time to consider these recommendations to help you and your pets prevent ticks from biting you.

General information about ticks

Keep in mind that, in some cases, these hematophagous ectoparasites can carry and transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease. Furthermore, they can provoke a range of symptoms in your furry friend including:

• Irritation
• Localized hypersensitivity reactions
• Anemia
• Paralysis as a response to toxic secretions

With these symptoms in mind, you should take precautions to ensure that these unwanted guests don’t make themselves at home on your pets.

It’s also worth knowing that you’re pet probably won’t even realize that it has been bitten because ticks secrete an anesthetic as they feed.

How do ticks find their victims?

Ticks can be transmitted from one animal to another but also lie in wait in vegetation. Therefore, during walks in the park or the countryside, or playing in your garden, your pet runs the risk of catching ticks.

Because of this, and wherever possible, keep your pet away from places with:

• Accumulations of wood on the ground
• Tall grass
• Piles of fallen leaves

Also, pay attention to your garden. If necessary, you can fumigate your garden, but try to use the most environmentally friendly product possible.

How to prevent your animals from catching ticks

At this point, you’ll have realized that in order to prevent ticks, you need to pay attention to both your pet and your pet’s environment. Some care for your pet’s surroundings is warranted. Follow these suggestions:

• Check the animal’s fur frequently
• Keep the areas that the animal frequents clean
  
• Keep your garden from becoming overgrown
• Apply an anti-parasitic medicine as prescribed by your veterinarian

Products to prevent tick bites on your pets

To decide which tick prevention treatment is right for you, consider the traits, environment, and lifestyle of your pet. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for their opinion.

Obviously, there may be different solutions appropriate, depending on the pet. There are different treatments for an indoor pet compared to an outdoor pet. Treating a puppy is also different than treating an expectant mother or an adult with no health complications.

Among the options to prevent ticks are:

• Medication administered by pipette
• Shampoos
• Sprays
• Powders

It’s very important that you follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully. Otherwise the treatments will be ineffective, or, even worse, toxic. Also, remember not to use a product designed for cats on dogs and vice versa.

What to do if you find ticks on your pet

If you find ticks, you have to remove them. Be careful and follow professionally recommended guidelines. You should apply pressure to the tick’s mouths with tweezers so that the tick releases its bite. If you can’t manage to do this yourself, take your furry friend to the veterinarian.

Beyond prevention and treatment of specific cases, remember to regularly check the hair and skin of your pet. Checking your pet with a comb will keep it safe from ticks, and, as a bonus, looking stylish and well groomed.