Tick Talk: How to Prevent and Treat Tick Bites in Summer
As the weather warms up, many pests emerge throughout the United States and venture out to latch onto humans and animals alike. Ants, mosquitos, and spiders are some of the worst offenders, but the tick is particularly pesky for animals.
If your dog has ever been bitten by a tick (or you have), you know what a pain it can be. A bite from a tick can lead to an allergic reaction, Lyme disease, and other diseases (it’s rare, but does happen).
This summer, follow these steps to help your dog stay tick-free so you can enjoy all the summer activities with your dog stress-free.
Keeping Ticks Away From Your Dog This Summer
Tick season can cause stress and anxiety for dog owners whose animals love running through the grass and exploring on walks throughout the summertime. Fortunately, there are a few tried and true tips to prevent tick bites from happening in the first place.
Daily Checks
Daily checks for dogs who frequently go outside to play are the best way to prevent fleas from burrowing in the skin. Check the eyelids, around the ears, under the collar, front legs, between the toes, and around the tail.
Use Medicated Treatments
Some tick preventions include tick collars, shampoos, spot treatments, and sprays. Prevent ticks from ever getting close enough to bite your dog or crawl on their skin by using one of these veterinarian-recommended products.
Try Natural Repellants
Many natural oils can prevent ticks from biting your dog. These include garlic oil, turmeric, and essential oils like lemongrass, thyme, cedar, and peppermint. Once safely diluted, you can apply the oils directly to your dog’s body to keep the ticks at bay.
Treating a Tick Bite
So your dog gets bit, now what? Treating a tick bite begins with removing the tick from your dog’s skin.
You can start by cleaning the wound with an antiseptic and sterilizing any tools you use to remove the tick. Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible without pinching the skin. Pull it out slowly and steadily in a straight, upward motion. Avoid twisting or jerking to prevent leaving parts of the tick embedded in the skin. If your dog’s skin looks irritated or infected, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Did you know proper nutrition can help dogs recover from parasites, including tick fever? Be sure your dog is getting omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and plenty of water as they recover from a tick bite. Meals and water have more power than we realize!
Get Joy is Here to Help You Enjoy a Tick-Free Summer
Unsure how to protect your dog from a tick bite this summer? Get Joy is here to ease your mind. You can book a complimentary consultation with our virtual vet services team and get your questions answered.
