If you own a dog, we’re sorry to tell you that it’s possible that your furry friend is carrying some unwanted passengers. Dog ticks are a common pest that can be found all over the world. They feed off of blood and, unlike mosquitoes, they will burrow beneath your dog’s skin to drink their fill. The scratching and biting sensation can make for an unpleasant experience for both you and your furry friend.
How Do Dog Ticks Affect My Dog’s Health?
Dog tick bites can cause a variety of skin reactions, including hair loss and localized pain. If the ticks are carrying bacteria such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever then you could have more serious health concerns on your hands. These diseases may be transmitted to humans through contact with infected fluids from an animal’s saliva. The good news is that if properly cared for, most dogs will recover without any major problem within weeks after removing of the ticks. It can also make your dog feel irritated, uncomfortable, and itchy.
How Can I Get Rid Of Dog Ticks?
It is actually very difficult to prevent your dog from getting ticks. So you should know several ways of getting rid of them. You should be prepared for this as the ticks can attach themselves to your dog from anywhere. Maybe you took your dog for a walk or maybe you took it with you to your friend’s house, it can get ticks from anywhere.
If you’re like most pet owners, your first reaction is likely to want to get rid of the ticks on your dog as soon as possible. You may be tempted to go for some out-of-the box but highly effective solutions like using a chemical solution or using predatory red fire ants. These may be effective in getting rid of the ticks but they can also affect your dog negatively. So it is not recommended to use either of the above methods. Chemical solutions can cause serious harm if they come into contact with exposed skin while using fire ants could lead to more irritation. The best way is by following these simple steps below;
Seal off any areas where bugs are getting inside the house (e.g., windowsills). Remove debris from outside the property such as leaf litter or woodpiles. Spray the house perimeter with a long-lasting but nontoxic insecticide. The following steps will help you remove ticks on your dog;
a) First of all find out where on your pet’s body it is carrying the tick. Use a flashlight to get an idea if you’re not sure about that area. Use tweezers to gently pick out the ticks. If you pull them hastily then there is a chance that you will break the tick in half and some of it will still be attached to your dog.
b) Use safe and green tick removal products that will not harm your dog.
c)Be sure to take the time out of each day and every so often, even if you have an indoor-only pet, to inspect him closely for any signs of them. With a little bit of patience and care, it’s possible in no time at all your dog will be free from these pesky insects!
d) If you want to prevent ticks from attaching to your dog then it is very important for you to work on the outdoors around your house. Invest in making your outdoor environment clearer.
Can Ticks Effect Humans
Yes. They can effect human beings the same way they effect dogs. They can attach to your skin and feed off your blood. Ticks also carry a lot of diseases which can be dangerous if they get attached to a human being. So if you have a pet dog then taking care of its food and shelter isn’t the only thing you have to do. You have to make sure that your pet stays safe from such irritating pests. This will be better for you and for your pet.