Keep Dogs Tick-Free
As you might already be aware of, May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. According to LymeDisease.org, it’s “a chance for Lyme patients, activists and educators to spread information on how to prevent Lyme and tick-borne diseases.” While there is a growing awareness around humans contracting this disease, many people don’t know that dogs can get it too.
If you’re a dog owner, this guide is a must-read. It will give you a rundown of easy-to-follow tips for keeping your dog tick-free.
Install a Dog Fence in Your Yard
One of the most effective ways of preventing ticks from attacking your dog is to install a fence. If you’re wondering how on earth a fence can help, it’s quite straightforward, actually. A dog fence can help keep ticks where they belong; outside and not on your dog! Fences help to minimize the risk of your dog getting ticks because they limit the parameters within where you dog can go.
As ticks absolutely love backyards and grassland areas under leaves, the less exposure your dog has to tick-infested areas, the better. Installing a dog fence is not only a smart way to prevent ticks, but also a great one for stopping your dog from running away.
Be Aware That Other Animals Can Pass Ticks On
When it comes to preventing your dog from getting ticks, education is key. Angela Stringfellow from Cat Life Today says that developing your knowledge about ticks is one of the best weapons you can have in your arsenal.
“Many dog owners are completely in the dark about the fact that other animals can pass ticks on to your dog,” she says. “For example, a cat who has ticks may pass it on to your dog, and you’d be none the wiser until you find it.” By building your knowledge about all of the ways your dog may get ticks, you’ll be able to be more vigilant and skilled in your efforts to protect them.
Inspect Your Belongings and Furniture
It’s not just other animals you need to be wary of, your belongings and furniture could also be harboring ticks or tick eggs. As Healthline points out, tick infestations can occur if just one tick is brought into your home. Ticks can lay eggs around your house and in other areas and items they make their way to.
If you suspect a tick infestation in your home or you’ve just returned from a tick-friendly area or hike, be sure to check your belongings and furniture thoroughly for any signs of ticks. And don’t forget to give the inside of your car a good check over! It’s especially important to check over the areas your dog had contact with. For example, given if your dog was sitting in their trusty dog car seat, there’s a chance it may have ticks hiding in it.
Always Have a Tick Removal Tool Handy
Being prepared to immediately respond to finding a tick on your dog will go a long way in helping them recover quickly. Removing a tick is easy, so long as you have the right tools handy. Namely, you’ll need some rubbing alcohol or soap, a container to put the tick in, and a tick removal tool.
Our tick removal tool is 99.9% effective in removing a tick after a tick bite. It can easily be attached to your key ring, so you can have peace of mind that you’ll be completely prepared if the time comes to remove a tick from your dog. Don’t be tempted to remove a tick with your fingers. Doing so is risky as there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to remove the tick properly. Stick to a proper tick removal tool for best results.
Author Bio
Jenny Jarvis is a frequent contributing author for Pet Life Today. She’s originally from Central Ohio but has lived all over the world with her family, including Texas, Florida and Germany, among other places. She’s taken her two fur babies (and human ones, too) with her along the way and currently calls Eastern PA home. Jenny has been writing on all things pets (mostly focused on dogs) since 2015 and hopes to continue honing her expertise for many years to come.