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Easy Steps to Tick Bite Prevention
A tick bite can cause numerous diseases in your dog. Sometimes, even paralysis or death. To keep your pet healthy, you need to learn some simple preventive techniques.
Ticks are tiny mites that belong to the spider family. They use their sharp mouths to attach themselves to dog's skin and feed on their blood.
It is not the bite itself but the toxins in the tick's saliva that cause disease.
In extreme cases, a bite can cause permanent damage to your dog's health. Visit tick bite symptoms to learn how to recognize if a tick bit your dog.
So, how can we keep ticks away from our dogs?
Tick Avoidance
There are 2 ways you can keep ticks away from your dog:
- Modify ticks' environment
- Use tick control products on your dog
Follow these suggestions to minimize the chances of your dog suffering from tick bites…
Modifying Tick Habitat
Dog ticks are common in areas of high humidity - grassy, brushy, wooded and shaded areas.
To cut down on number of ticks, take the following steps around the house and kennel areas…
- Keep your grass short
- Don't let fallen leaves pile up
- Clear bushes
- Prune trees to let more sun in
In addition to the above steps, treat your yard and kennel area with a tick spray.
I've been using Virbac Yard Spray around my yard. It's very easy to use – just attach the sprayer bottle to the hose and spray.
It kills ticks and fleas and it will not damage your lawn.
Virbac Yard Spray will provide protection to humans too. I began using it when my kids were younger and spending a lot of time in the wooded backyard.
Tick Control Products
No matter what precautions you take around your yard, if your dog spends any time outdoors, he is at risk of suffering a tick bite.
Tick control products that you can use on your dog fall into several categories…
- Sprays
- Tick collars
- Shampoos
- Topical products that you use once a month
Topicals
Once-a-month topical products are the most effective and are easy to use. You apply the product once a month to a small area on your dog's back.
One of the best products in this category is Frontline Plus.
I've been using this product on Bo and am more than happy with the results.
From my experience, no other product provides as much tick bite protection as this one.
If I had to choose only one tick control product, Frontline Plus would be it!
Sprays and Shampoos
Shampoos offer the most convenient (though not the most effective) way to fight dog ticks and fleas.
Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo kills not only fleas but ticks too.
It also ends snarls and tangles, and leaves pet smelling fresh and sweet.
Tick and flea shampoos are OK, but if you need really quick results, try FRONTLINE Spray.
FRONTLINE Spray is much stronger than any shampoo and acts a lot quicker.
Tick Collars
Tick collars can provide anywhere from 1 month to several months protection against tick bites, but are not as effective as topical applicators. Some tick collars also provide protection against fleas.
I have used Preventic Tick Collar For Dogs in the past and while it's a good product, it does not provide protection against fleas.
If flea protection is important to you, read the label before you buy a tick collar.
For more information on Frontline Plus, tick collars and tick in general, visit dog ticks page.
Have more tick bite questions or concerns?
Talk to your veterinarian. Depending on the area where you live, he or she may suggest some other products.
And if those products are sold over the counter, you will save a lot of money by buying from 1800PetMeds. Bo gets all his medications and vitamins from them, and we are both satisfied!
As a part of tick bite prevention, check your dog for any sign of ticks on a regular basis. If you find any, you will need to carefully remove them. Visit removing ticks page to learn how.
I hope you will find this information useful and it helps you to recognize some common health problems your pet may be experiencing. However, if you suspect your pet is ill, immediately contact your veterinarian. He or she will be able to help you decide the best course of action when it comes to caring for your pet.
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