Introduction
Ticks are small parasites that can attach to dogs and feed on their blood. Ticks are prevalent across the United States and can transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis to dogs. According to a 2019 survey across 49 states, nearly 11,000 ticks were found on dogs and cats, showing these parasites are a common threat to our furry companions [1]. Preventing tick infestation is crucial to protect your dog’s health and well-being. Washing and grooming your dog regularly with effective tick prevention shampoos and repellents can help reduce the risk of ticks attaching and minimize the chances of disease transmission. This article provides tips on how to safely wash and groom your dog to prevent ticks.
[1] https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-019-3847-3
Effective Tick Prevention Methods
There are several effective methods to help prevent ticks on your dog, including topical treatments, collars, shampoos, and sprays:
Topical Treatments: Topical treatments like Frontline, Advantix, Nexgard, and Seresto are applied monthly to your dog’s skin and spread through their fur to repel and kill ticks. These prescription medications are very effective at killing ticks and preventing infestations.
Collars: Anti-tick collars like Preventic or Seresto release repellents that spread around your dog’s neck to repel ticks. These collars can provide ongoing protection for several months. Just be sure to check that the collar fits properly.
Shampoos: Anti-tick shampoos contain insecticides that kill ticks on contact. When bathing your dog, let the shampoo sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing for best results. Some popular options are Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo and Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Shampoo.
Sprays: Sprays like Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Home Spray can be applied to your dog’s coat to quickly kill and repel ticks. Focus on spraying legs, underarms, around ears and the neck. Do not spray near eyes, nose or mouth.
Washing Your Dog with Tick Shampoo
One of the best ways to prevent ticks on your dog is by regularly washing them with a tick shampoo. Tick shampoos contain insecticides that will kill and repel ticks on contact. Some popular ingredients to look for include pyrethrins, permethrin, and fipronil. According to Grove’s blog on flea and tick shampoos, chemical shampoos can be used once a week until the infestation is gone, but not for long-term use.
When bathing your dog with tick shampoo, be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Wet your dog’s coat thoroughly, lather the shampoo deeply into their fur, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse it off completely. Pay close attention to areas ticks commonly hide like the neck, ears, armpits, and between the toes. It’s important not to get the shampoo in your dog’s eyes.
According to Rover’s Q&A, you can wash your dog with tick shampoo 1-2 times per week, but not for extended periods of time. Over-bathing can dry out your dog’s skin. Medi-Vet recommends bathing your dog with tick shampoo no more than every 2 weeks. More frequent baths aren’t necessary and may do more harm than good.
Other Tick Prevention Tips
Here are some additional tips to help prevent ticks from latching onto you or your dog:
Check yourself, your children, and your pets thoroughly for ticks after potential exposure. Be sure to look in hidden areas like the scalp, behind ears, armpits, belly button, behind knees, between legs, and around the waist. Ticks like warm places on the body. Remove any ticks immediately using tweezers (see tick removal instructions below).
Avoid areas where ticks live, like grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. Stay in the center of trails when hiking. Keep your yard well maintained if you live in tick-prone areas.
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin to repel and kill ticks. This lasts through several wash cycles. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors.
Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees. Place a 3-foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration. Mow the lawn frequently.
Stack wood neatly and in a dry area. Keep leaf litter, brush, and grass cut back.
Use tick control products for your yard if necessary. Talk to a lawn care professional.
Sources:
https://www.health.com/condition/lyme-disease/tick-protection
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ticks/prevention/
Natural Tick Repellents
There are several natural tick repellents you can use on your dog that don’t contain harsh chemicals. Two popular natural ingredients for warding off ticks include apple cider vinegar and certain essential oils.
Apple cider vinegar can be an effective tick repellent due to its acidic nature. When diluted and applied to your dog’s coat, apple cider vinegar can help create an unfavorable environment for ticks. According to sources at https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/natural-tick-repellents-dogs/, mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water and spraying it on your dog can provide tick protection. However, caution should be used, as undiluted vinegar can irritate a dog’s skin.
Specific essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, and geranium also have natural tick-repelling properties, according to sources at https://iheartdogs.com/7-natural-tick-repellents-for-dogs/. Diluting a few drops of these oils in water and spraying onto your dog can create a scent barrier. It’s important to properly dilute essential oils before applying them to your dog’s coat to avoid skin irritation. Only use food-grade essential oils intended for pets.
While natural tick repellents like apple cider vinegar and essential oils show promise, more research is still needed on their efficacy according to veterinary sources. They should not replace vet-recommended treatments, but could provide additional protection when used safely.
When to See a Vet
If your dog develops any symptoms after a tick bite, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Some signs of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Lameness, joint swelling, or pain
- Neurological problems like seizures or disorientation
According to Animal Expert, “The longer the diseases caused by the ticks remain undiagnosed, the more severe the symptoms can become” (source). That’s why it’s crucial to monitor your dog closely after tick exposure and see a vet promptly if any concerning symptoms develop. The vet can run tests to check for tick-borne diseases and provide prompt treatment if necessary.
How to Remove Ticks
Proper tick removal is important to avoid leaving the tick’s mouth parts in your dog’s skin or forcing potentially infected fluids into the bite wound. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight up with steady pressure.
There are also specialized tick removal tools like the Tick Twister or Tick Key that use a twisting motion to detach ticks. These tools may be easier to use than tweezers for removing ticks from dogs with thick fur. Just grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull up while twisting gently.
Avoid folk remedies like covering ticks with petroleum jelly or using heat from a match or cigarette. These techniques may cause the tick to regurgitate its stomach contents into the wound, increasing disease risk.
After removing the tick, swab the bite area with alcohol and wash your hands thoroughly. Monitor the site for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or discharge. Contact your veterinarian if you notice anything abnormal.
Risk Factors for Ticks
Certain factors can increase your dog’s risk of coming into contact with ticks and getting tick-borne illnesses. These include:
Time of Year – Ticks are most active during spring, summer and fall when the weather is warmer. April through September tend to be peak tick season in many parts of the country. Ticks can be out searching for hosts even on warmer winter days if the temperature is above freezing. Be extra vigilant about tick prevention during warmer months.[1]
Geographic Region – Areas with forests, tall grasses, brush and leaf litter tend to harbor more ticks. Regions like the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest tend to have high populations of ticks. Be aware of tick prevalence in your local area.[2]
Breed – Some breeds that were originally bred to hunt, like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, may be at higher risk because their jobs take them into tick-prone areas. Long-haired dog breeds can also carry more ticks in their coat. However, all dogs are susceptible to ticks if exposed.[3]
Being aware of these risk factors can help you take preventative action against ticks on your dog.
Sources:
[1] https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ticks-in-dogs
[2] https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/sporting-field-dogs/tick-borne-disease.html
[3] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/tick-borne-diseases-dogs-prevent/
Signs of Tick Bites
If your dog has been bitten by a tick, there are some common signs to look out for. These include:
Redness – You may notice redness around the area where the tick was embedded. This is a normal reaction as your dog’s skin becomes irritated.
Irritation – In addition to redness, your dog’s skin may become itchy, inflamed, or irritated around the bite. Your dog may lick, bite, or scratch at the area.
Embedded Tick – The most obvious sign of a tick bite is finding a tick embedded in your dog’s skin. Ticks often attach in hidden areas like the groin, armpits, or between toes. Check your dog thoroughly if you suspect tick exposure.
Other signs like lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness, or fever could indicate disease transmission from the tick. See a vet promptly if these symptoms develop after finding a tick on your dog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the most effective method for preventing ticks on dogs is washing them regularly with a natural tick shampoo containing ingredients like citrus oils, peppermint oil, or rose geranium oil. These natural ingredients have been shown to repel ticks without harsh chemicals. It’s also important to check your dog thoroughly for ticks after time outdoors and remove any attached ticks promptly. Using monthly topical flea and tick preventatives prescribed by your vet is highly recommended as another key prevention method.
To recap, a multi-pronged approach is best for preventing ticks on dogs:
- Wash dogs with a natural tick shampoo weekly.
- Apply vet-recommended monthly topical treatments.
- Check your dog’s body thoroughly for ticks.
- Remove any attached ticks right away.
- Use natural tick repellents like essential oils.
- Keep yards and outdoor spaces clear of ticks.
Following these tips diligently can help protect your dog from tick bites and diseases like Lyme disease that ticks can transmit. Keep your dog tick-free this season!