One of the best ways to stop your pet's tick problems is to prevent ticks from attacking your pet in the first place. Ticks live primarily in wooded areas and locations with high grasses and brush. Your pet may drag a tick into the house after playing outside or going for a walk. Reducing the opportunity for tick bites is helpful in lowering your pet's chances of developing a tick-related disease.
Keep your home and your pet's bedding clean and disinfected at all times. After walking your dog or allowing your pet to play outside, sit down with him and thoroughly check for ticks, fleas and other pests. Before a tick has bitten your pet, you can remove it by hand. Once a tick has lodged itself in the skin, however, you may need to take your pet to the veterinarian for removal.
Choosing a Tick Repellent
You may also want to treat your pet with a tick repellent to prevent tick bites. There are a variety of types of repellent from which to choose. Of the commercially manufactured brands, most work by paralyzing the tick when it bites or discouraging the tick from attacking in the first place. Of these products, some are available in spray form and some are as creams or on-the-skin products.
For a fidgety pet or one that has a long and tangled coat, a spray product may be more effective. Some sprays can also be used to coat your pet's bedding, offering further protection against tick bites. Always ensure that you do not spray an insect repellent near your pet's eyes, and follow application directions and dosages carefully to avoid putting your pet at unnecessary risk. If he'll will tolerate an on-the-skin application process, creams and lotions tend to be highly effective as well.
Natural Tick Repellents
If your pet is allergic to one or more of the chemicals found in tick repellents, or if you prefer to use a homemade or natural repellent, there are a number of natural chemicals that help to prevent and repel ticks and bites. Garlic, cinnamon and clove oils tend to be effective against ticks.
Take precautions to defend your pets against ticks and tick bites. Ticks cause a number of serious medical conditions, some of which lead to death. By treating your pet with a good tick repellent you can ensure that he remains safe and healthy.