HOW TO PREVENT AND KEEP TICK OFF DOGS: Best Treatments and Remedies

Ticks are disgusting little parasites that live in your dog’s fur and attach to their skin to feed. They have plenty of time to transmit whatever disease they are carrying to your dog because they feed for hours while attached to your furry friend. Ticks can harm your companion’s health and the health of others in your household, whether they are four-legged or two-legged. They are known to carry Lyme disease and other nasty diseases that can cause short- and long-term health issues for anyone who is bitten. In this post, we will look at how to naturally prevent and keep tick-off dogs while hiking, as well as home remedies and the best medicine to keep tick-off dogs.

A severe tick infestation requires the assistance of your veterinarian. There are, however, home remedies to keep ticks off your dogs that you can discuss with your pet’s primary caregiver. Even though the simple, non-chemical ways to keep ticks off dogs while hiking are listed below, they will not kill the tick. They are specifically designed to keep pests at bay.

How to Keep Tick-Off Dogs While Hiking

Hiking is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy nature, but it can also be a dangerous activity if you are not properly prepared. Ticks are one of the most dangerous hazards when hiking with your dog. These tiny parasites can attach to your pet and transmit diseases like Lyme disease.

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to prevent and keep tick-off your dogs while hiking. Here are four suggestions:

#1. Check your dog for ticks regularly, while hiking.

The best way to prevent and keep tick-off dogs is to check them for ticks regularly while hiking. By checking your dog for ticks, you can remove any that are already attached and reduce your dog’s risk of contracting a tick-borne illness. Ticks can be hard to find, so check your dog carefully, especially between the toes, around the neck, and in the ears.

#2. Apply tick repellent to your dog.

Ticks are an issue for both dogs and their owners. While there are many ways to keep ticks at bay, using tick repellent on your dog is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep ticks at bay while hiking. Tick repellent can both repel and kill ticks that come into contact with it.

#3. Make use of a tick collar.

Tick collars are a great way to prevent and keep tick-off from attaching to your dogs while hiking. Tick collars repel ticks by releasing a chemical. Furthermore, tick collars also kill ticks that come into contact with them.

#4. Keep your dog’s coat as short as possible.

One of the best ways to prevent and keep tick-off dogs is to keep their coats short. Ticks are more likely to attach themselves to dogs with long coats, so keeping your dog’s coat short will make ticks less likely to attach themselves. Short-haired dogs are also easy to check for ticks, which means your dog is less likely to get sick from a tick.

#5. Have your veterinarian check your dog for ticks after hikes

It is critical to have your dog’s ticks checked by a veterinarian after a hike. Ticks will be checked for and removed if necessary by the veterinarian. They may also advise you on tick-prevention products.

How to Keep Tick-Off Dogs Naturally

Tick season has arrived (and it seems to never end! ), which means your pets are likely to pick up a few of these pests while playing or simply walking outside. If you want to keep your dog or cat tick-free, here’s how to naturally prevent and keep tick-off dogs!

#1. Keep the weeds at bay.

Ticks live in tall grass, weedy areas, and shrubs, where they can easily hitch a ride on pets and people passing by. Simply keeping your lawn mowed will keep ticks at bay. Keep weeds to a minimum in your gardens and leave plenty of space between shrubs and perennials. This reduces the number of hiding places for ticks and makes it easier for your pets to walk through the gardens without brushing up against the plants.

#2. Try using lemon eucalyptus oil as a topical treatment.

Even if your yard is tick-free, Fido may wander into a tick-infested area. And if you like to take your dog for walks in wild or wooded areas, he’s likely to pick up ticks along the way. Lemon eucalyptus oil, as opposed to a mix of lemon and eucalyptus oils, is an excellent solution to this problem. It works as a natural insect repellent against ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies. In a 32-ounce spray bottle filled with distilled water, combine 7 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil. To keep pests at bay, apply it to your dog’s bedding or lightly spray it between his shoulder blades. Remember that essential oils should never be ingested and should only be used diluted on your pet’s fur.

#3. Keep the grooming of long-haired pets.

Ticks are a bigger problem for long-haired cats and dogs because their fluff makes it easier for ticks to hitch a ride and hide. Consider giving your dog a summer haircut. If you don’t want to trim a long-haired cat for the summer, keep him indoors or in a confined outdoor area away from tall grass and weedy areas. Also, before going inside, do a thorough tick check.

#4. Scatter food-grade diatomaceous earth in your gardens

Even if you have plenty of space and weed regularly, ticks may be hiding in your flowers and shrubs. Use food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) in your gardens to protect your pets. This is an effective treatment for ticks, fleas, and other pests because it dehydrates them.

#5. Bring wildlife into your yard.

Ticks have many natural predators, so bringing those predators to your yard is one of the best ways to keep the population down. To attract birds, small mammals, and even a few bug-eating amphibians, plant flowering shrubs, and perennials. The more wildlife you can bring into your yard, the fewer ticks you’ll encounter.

#6. Keep Chickens or Guinea Fowl

It may sound unbelievable, but it is true! They will eat almost anything, including ticks! South African researchers discovered that in tick-infested areas, chickens can consume up to ten ticks per hour. If you have a fenced-in yard or enough space for them to roam, a few hens will significantly reduce the tick population while providing you with farm-fresh eggs!

#7. Make use of a Lint Roller.

This trick works well on pets with short hair. After a walk in the woods, use a tape-style lint roller to remove any ticks from your dog (and yourself).

#8. Perform frequent tick checks

Ticks will sometimes find their way onto your pets despite your best efforts. To prevent tick bites, inspect your pet every day, preferably every time they come in from outside. Pay special attention to areas that your pet cannot easily reach, such as the area around the head, behind the ears, and beneath the legs. Smaller deer ticks can even be found on the eyelids. Take your time!

How to Keep Tick-Off Dogs Home Remedies

Summer has arrived in full force, despite the fact that some of us have been eagerly anticipating the season and planning trips to the beach. It is, however, a little different for pet owners. Summer is the ideal season for long walks or hikes with our four-legged family members, but it is also the season for fleas and ticks on our pets. This summer, we’ve compiled a list of all-natural home remedies to keep and prevent your dogs from flea and tick infestations!

#1. Shampoo

Shampooing your pet is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep fleas and ticks at bay this summer. Shampoos containing flea and tick medication are widely available and reasonably priced. Bathing your pet is a laborious process that must be repeated every two weeks for it to be effective. You can also make your own shampoo with just a few simple ingredients. Take a look at these AKC-approved DIY recipes.

#2. Collars made from natural materials

If you have some spare time and enjoy DIY projects, you can make a natural flea collar out of cotton or nylon. Add vodka without any flavor and essential oils. Lavender, lemongrass, and cedar oils work well to keep fleas and ticks away. This option should have no negative consequences.

#3. Take care of the house and lawn.

Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos will be less likely to live in your backyard if you keep your grass and trees trimmed. The less space these parasites have to live and breed, the less you have to worry about them. If you continue to have issues, consider hiring a local lawn spraying service that only uses organic, non-toxic products to keep your family and pets safe while keeping pests out of your yard. Toxic products should be avoided because they can be extremely harmful to both animals and humans.

#4. Apple cider vinegar

Simply adding 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to your pet’s water is one of the more natural methods. This is also one of the simplest and most effective methods of killing fleas and ticks. You must first ensure that your pet is not allergic to vinegar. You can test this by putting two drops of vinegar on the tongue of your pet. If he or she does not react negatively, your dog should be fine with this concoction.

#5. Lemon tick repellent

A citrus repellent works very well to keep fleas and ticks away from people and their dogs. All you have to do is quarter a lemon and place it in a pint jar. Allow it to steep overnight in boiling water. Spray the solution all over the dog, especially behind the ears, around the head, at the base of the tail, and in the armpits.

Best Medicine to Keep Tick-Off Dogs

Let’s get started with the tick prevention products available, how to use them, and how they work. The best medicine to keep and prevent tick-off dogs also prevents fleas, so it’s a two-for-one deal!

#1. Oral tick medications

Oral tick medications are those that you administer to your pet orally. They are usually in the form of tasty, chewable tablets. The majority of them must be administered on a monthly basis. Bravecto, a newer medication, lasts longer and can be administered once every 12 weeks.

Here are a few effective oral tick medications available only by prescription:

Bravecto (kills four types of ticks)
Nexgard (kills four types of ticks)
Simparica (kills five types of ticks)

If your dog or cat has a sensitive stomach when given new things, an oral tick medication may not be the best option. Instead, you could look into topical tick medications.

#2. Topical tick medications

Topical tick medications are applied directly to your pet’s skin. Ticks are killed and repelled by these preventatives, so ticks do not need to bite your pet for the medication to work.

Here are some effective topical tick medications:

Bravecto (kills four types of ticks)
Vectra 3D (kills four types of ticks)
Frontline Plus (kills four types of ticks)
K9 Advantix II (kills four types of ticks)

A prescription is not required for the majority of topical tick medications. Bravecto, on the other hand, requires a prescription from your veterinarian.

If you’ve ever discovered a tick in or near your home, or if you take your pet hiking or camping, it’s critical to keep them on tick prevention. This can keep your dog or cat from tick-borne illnesses, especially during the summer months when ticks are more active. Tick-preventative medications are available in oral, topical, and collar forms. The best medicine for your pet will be determined by their specific needs and home environment. You can consult with your veterinarian to determine which option is best for your cat or dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop ticks from getting on my dog?

For these reasons, it is critical to use a tick repellent on your dog. To further reduce the likelihood of your dog becoming ill from a tick bite:

Check your pets for ticks on a daily basis, especially after they have been outside.
Remove any ticks that you find on your pet right away.
Cut down on tick habitat in your yard.

What is the best repellent for ticks on dogs?

The best tick preventatives for dogs, according to our experts, include fluralaner-containing oral medications and topical treatments containing the chemicals imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen.

What kills ticks on dogs naturally?

Simply adding 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to your pet’s water is one of the more natural methods. This is also one of the simplest and most effective methods for killing fleas and ticks. You must first ensure that your pet is not allergic to vinegar.

Do ticks lay eggs on dogs?

Ticks that breed on your dog will sometimes lay eggs on them if they are not found and removed promptly. The larvae that hatch from those eggs have an easy food source: your dog’s blood. This can have a number of consequences for your dog’s and your family’s health.