Temperatures are slowly rising, snow is melting, and flowers are beginning to peek up through the dirt…yes, that finally means Spring is here! With warmer weather comes the dreaded tick season. There is no better time than now to learn a bit more on how to be a proactive pet parent with tick prevention.
Preventative Treatments
Preventative treatments come in all different forms- chewables, collars, and topical treatments, to name a few. Luckily, with so many variations of prevention, finding the one that is right for your pet has become a whole lot easier! Bravecto chewables are an easy, non-messy way to give treatment and only require that you administer once every 90 days, though they aren’t always the best option for picky eaters. You can learn more about how to choose the right treatment for your pet by reading this article by NYMag by clicking here.
Source: NYMag
A Natural Approach
Looking for a more natural approach? Believe it or not, there’s a handful of natural ways to help stop ticks in their tracks! A good place to start is right in your backyard; consider maintenance with natural treatments for your lawn and mowing more frequently.
Much like the medicated treatments above, there are also more natural approaches to tick prevention specifically for your pets. You can find natural Flea & Tick Topicals on Chewy by TevraPet Naturals which “helps repel fleas, ticks and mosquitos so your pup can enjoy more carefree outdoor adventures. The hypoallergenic formula provides gentle yet effective protection that’s safe for sensitive skin. The waterproof formula is easy to apply and provides lasting relief for up to one month per treatment. Paw-fect for dogs weighing 16–40 pounds.” (chewy)
In this article by Mary Bays of AKC Pet Insurance, they dive a bit more in depth with natural tick and flea prevention including DIY shampoos and sprays:
Vinegar
Combine 1 quart of water, 1 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup of baby shampoo or liquid dish soap. Use this mixture to bathe your dog once or twice a month. Vinegar kills fleas and ticks on contact and can prevent future infestations.
Lemon Wash Deterrent
Lemon juice repels fleas and can be used in several ways to keep them off of your pet. For this mixture, you will need 4 slices of fresh lemon, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 6 cups of water. Heat the water until boiling, then add the salt and fresh lemon. Boil for two minutes and then remove from the heat. Let the mixture steep for a full day (24 hours), then apply to your dog’s fur after shampooing and washing them. This mixture can be applied daily.
Not interested in making it yourself? There are plenty of companies like kin+kind who make natural and safe clean sprays and shampoos to fight against ticks and fleas!
Source: Kin+kind
Help! We found a tick on our pet! Now what?
Even with all of the preparation in the world, at some point in your life, you’re likely to find a tick on your pet. So, what next? You can follow these steps to remove the tick and take appropriate precautions. NYMag does stress that “if, after a tick bite, your dog displays any warning symptoms — which include joint pain, limping or lameness, swollen lymph nodes, fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite — then Potzler says to speak to your vet as soon as possible, as tick-borne illnesses can be fatal.”
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