How to Prevent Canine Tick Problems

Living in the country, we’re no stranger to ticks. With warm weather right around the corner, we know that ticks will be arriving soon, too. Today we have a post and infographic on this important topic from Carrington College to help you prepare for these unwelcome spring arrivals.

Ticks are extremely resilient creatures. They live for years, can return to an area even after a killing frost and may jump from animal to animal or from animal to human (or vice versa). Furthermore, as this guide from Carrington.edu points out, ticks can cause serious health problems for a dog, including loss of appetite, neurological problems, arthritis, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.

While it is not possible to completely prevent a dog from ever coming in contact with ticks, you can greatly reduce the odds of having to deal with serious tick-related illnesses. Following are some simple yet effective ways to prevent your dog from getting ticks.

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments can prevent ticks from burrowing into a dog’s body. There are a variety of solutions to pick from, but all contain active ingredients that prevent ticks from calling your pet home. If your dog has a health condition, check with your vet before buying any type of topical treatment. Be sure to also read the instructions carefully, as application directions vary depending on the dog’s size and weight.

Dog Collars

There are some dog collars that are effective in prevent tick infestation. However, such collars are not suitable for all breeds of dogs. The collars do not work well in water and so are not effective for dogs that like to swim. A dog owner should also be aware that some dogs may have an adverse allergic reaction to the collar.

Avoid the Woods

Ticks live in wooded areas, so try to avoid walking your dog in the woods if do not want to risk tick problems. If you or someone in your home goes hiking in a wooded area, use an insecticide that works on ticks, so no ticks will be carried home. Yet, in any case, be sure to also check for ticks before entering the house. If someone has ticks on them, he or she should immediately change clothes and place the infected clothing in a sealed bag.

Cut the Grass

Ticks cannot live in short vegetation, Cut the grass in the yard regularly, uproot weeds and remove brush.

Any signs of a tick infestation should be taken very seriously. A dog should be immediately taken to a vet if it has been bitten by a tick and/or shows any symptoms of tick-borne illness. Thankfully, you can protect your beloved dog from ticks by following the tips outlined above and checking a dog regularly in order to catch ticks before they have the chance to burrow under the skin.