Tick Prevention for Dogs

Tick prevention in dogs can be one of the most challenging things we face as pet parents. To be honest, it can be messy and a lot of hard work since they are difficult to remove and get rid of entirely.

Keep your lawn at bay

Ticks spend most of their time on the ground, on bushes, grasses, & shrubs and they definitely love dense vegetation. If your lawn has tall and thick vegetation, this can become a way for ticks and other parasites to successfully take a leap on your pet. Always remember to keep your lawn well-trimmed (especially during tick seasons).

Go for natural solutions

Natural tick prevention solutions in dogs can also be great in preventing ticks on your pet. Natural preventions can include solutions of apple cider vinegar to be added to your furbaby's diet. Apple cider vinegar makes the smell of your dog's blood a whole lot less appealing to those bloodsuckers. You can also opt for topical solutions in case your furbaby can't tolerate the vinegar's taste. A topical solution of citrus, lavender, and cinnamon is a combination that can help repel ticks on your dog.

Opt for medications

If you want faster and more effective tick prevention in dogs, over-the-counter spot-on flea medications and oral medications are the answer. These medications are effective in controlling both ticks and fleas. Oral medications work by striking the nervous system of the parasites to paralyze and eventually kill them. While spot-on flea medications are commonly applied between your furbaby's shoulder blades or neck so she can't lick it off. Most of these do not only kill fleas and ticks but also repel them.

Most of these medications stay effective for up to a month. However, be extra cautious and always consult your veterinarian first before purchasing and using one for your dog.

Tick-borne diseases in dogs

The following are the most common tick-borne illnesses diagnosed in dogs:

Canine ehrlichiosis. This is caused by several kinds of ticks and signs often show weeks after a bite. Signs usually begin with weakness, loss of appetite, and low platelet count. By the time it worsens, bruising, bleeding of the gums and/or nose will progress, and can even lead to death.

Lyme disease. Lyme disease is carried by the Deer Tick. Signs can occur several months after a bite. If not treated immediately, this can lead to kidney disease and can become life-threatening. Signs include but are not limited to lameness, fever, joint pain & swelling, and lymph nodes swelling.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs and can affect humans as well. The signs of this disease can be very similar to Lyme disease but include neurological signs like loss of balance and coordination.

Tick Paralysis. This condition is caused by a neurotoxin produced by a female tick's saliva that is released into your furbaby's bloodstream. This neurotoxin can cause paralysis and can be deadly if it has already reached your dog's respiratory system.

What you can do about it

Aside from preventing ticks, you can do the following in ensuring your furbaby's skin remains healthy and his immune system strong and sturdy.

Provide a healthy diet. A healthy dog provided with the right nutrition has a strengthened immune system. A healthy diet also fuels your furbaby’s active and lifestyle.