How to get rid of ticks on dogs fast, naturally and the best way

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In this post, we explore various means on how to get rid of ticks on dogs fast including what to consider to pick the best method, how to get rid of ticks fast depending on the extent of infestation and various natural home remedies to eliminate ticks.

How to Get Rid of Ticks on Dogs

Ticks are four legged insects which thrive in warm and highly vegetated areas. These could be around shrubs, grass and in the woods. These parasites can remain in waiting up to one year without feeding. Dogs easily pick up ticks while they brush their bodies in tick infested yards. There however tick breeds that also thrive indoors. While in, they will hide on curtains, underneath rugs and on furniture. Before exploring how to get rid of ticks on dogs, let us discuss the various aspects of ticks and the ticks risks involved.

Seed ticks are the larval stage of any tick species. They are therefore very tiny and barely noticeable on a dog unless they are found in large amounts. They are most common at the beginning of spring. Seed ticks tend to attack dogs in large numbers, feed on it for a short while before dropping off to develop into the nymph and adult stages of their life cycle.

The brown dog ticks which are also known as kennel ticks do well indoors. They will barely affect people but can affect the dogs seriously. Deer ticks are another common type. These mostly live in wooded areas and can cause Lyme disease. The American dog tick on the other hand is known for its ability to swell up to the size of a grape. If they remain attached for at least five hours and up to 20 hours, they can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever which is a fatal condition in dogs.

Signs of Tick-Borne Diseases

The common tick borne diseases are Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. They also have similar symptoms including:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Pain and swelling in the joints
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

Where prompt attention is not given to your dog, the disease can get complicated. Immediate treatment should therefore be sought.

Other than the above mentioned diseases, a long term infestation of ticks on dogs can also lead to other health problems. These include:

• Skin irritation and infections
• Tick paralysis
• Anemia

How to Get Ticks off Dogs

When ticks mature, they attach themselves on animals by burrowing their head into the skin. At times, the ticks on dogs may be a few and can be easily handpicked as opposed to a highly infested dog. Where this is the case, there is a standard procedure on how to get them off your pet without hurting it or endangering yourself. Follow the following steps to have a small number of ticks from your dog.

1. Get a pair of gloves and put them on.
2. Using a pair of tweezers or tick remover, grasp the tick by its head from the side. This should be done close to the skin.
3. Once you get a good grip of it, pull the tick straight up without twisting your tweezers.
4. Clean up the area bitten using a disinfectant and wash up your hands after that.

Topical Methods on How to Kill Ticks on Dogs

These include on spot treatments that help to kill the ticks on contact. They include those discussed below.

Tick Repellent Powders

Powders are a great way of treating ticks. They work by killing ticks as well as repelling others from attaching on the dog. When picking up powders, it is important to pick the ones labelled for use on dogs. These will certainly have no negative effects on the dog.

1. To make use of the powder, ensure that you go through the user instructions given.
2. Use pesticide powders is used in the recommended amounts as too much of this will cause irritation in the lungs if inhaled.
3. With the specifications given, rub it down on the skin.
4. To control infestations, ensure you rub the repellent at least once in a week. This will help to keep the ticks away. You could also dust the dog bed to keep off the ticks from there.

Caution: Always keep the powder from the face especially the eyes and mouth when applying.

Topical Sprays to Kill Ticks

These are available in pet stores. They kill the ticks very fast and also provide residual protection. This means that long after application the ingredients will still be effective. Where you are planning to spend time with the dog in areas that could be infested by ticks such as in the woods, spray your dog beforehand. Follow the user manual on how to get rid of the ticks using the remedy.

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Medicated Shampoos to Keep off Ticks

Although this is labor intensive, it can be a cheap method of getting rid of ticks. With this, medicated shampoos are used. These are made using ingredients that kill the ticks on contact. The effective ingredients though are not active for a long time. This makes it necessary for the process to be repeated frequently. Shampooing can also be used as a protective means together with other tick eliminating methods.

Tick Dip to get Rid of Ticks on Dogs

This consists of a concentrated treatment consisting of a solution made up of pesticide treatment and water which is applied on the dog’s coat. In most cases, chemicals used tend to be very strong. This should therefore not be used on puppies, nursing and pregnant dogs and even when used on adult dogs, it should be done with a lot of care. After the application, the treatment is not meant to be rinsed off giving it some residue effect.

Dog Tick Collars

The use of collars helps in repelling ticks and thus acts as an additional preventive measure that can be used to prevent ticks. These are quite effective in preventing tick infestation on the areas around the head, ears and the neck. To transfer chemicals to the other parts of the skin, the collar has to be worn in such a way that it is in contact with the skin. When choosing a dog tick collar it is important to carefully go through the label and follow all the instructions.

1. When fitting the collar, ensure there is enough room but only that which can fit two fingers under.
2. Once fitted, cut off the excess length as if left hanging loose the dog may be tempted to chew it.
3. Once settled, watch the dog for any signs of discomfort such as itching and scratching as these could be indicative of allergic reactions.

Oral Medications to Eliminate Ticks

There are monthly pills that can be administered on your dog on a monthly basis. This method on how to kill ticks on dogs also works in getting rid of fleas by disrupting their life cycle. They have the advantage of not being spot on and therefore you do not have to worry about kids and other pets coming into contact with the treated dog.

How to Get Rid of Ticks on Dogs Fast

How do I get rid of ticks on my dog fast? This is a question so common among pet owners. While it is okay to want to get over and done with any ticks on the dog’s skin, long term measures also require to be put into place so that the pet is kept free of ticks forever. The only fast way to get rid of ticks would be the manual removal. This though may not work well if the ticks are too many. It is only suitable when a dog has few ticks. Below is a step by step procedure on how to do it fast.

1. Grab a pair of gloves and put them on and get a pair of tweezers.
2. Calm your dog down and once it appears relaxed separate the hair around the area with a tick.
3. Using the tweezers, grab the tick and pull it off your pooch.
4. In case your dog has long and curly hair making it hard to see the tick, you can comb the hair with a fine toothed comb to part the hair.
5. Once the tick is out, do not crush it. Instead put it in alcohol to kill it. This will help prevent getting into contact with its blood and thus avoid spreading tick borne diseases.

Removing a pet from a dog is not enough. It is necessary to employ tick protection measures for your pet. Seed ticks are fast growing and within no time they could be causing anemia and other illnesses in your dog. Keeping off highly wooded areas can help. To get rid of existing ticks faster, treat the yard and the house as well. This will help in repelling them from your home and thus keep the ticks off your dog.

How to Get Rid of Ticks on Dogs Naturally

The process of how to get ticks off of dogs tends to be a balancing act. It requires the pet owner to consider the risks harbored by an infested dog against the effects of the products used for their elimination. Products used topically do not only affect the dog but the people living with it especially children and other pets. Although manufactured products tend to work faster, most options on getting rid of ticks on dogs naturally are safe and have no negative effect on the environment. These include:

Neem Oil

This is among the most preferred oils known in removing ticks from a dog. It is among the most popular of the natural ways on how to get rid of ticks on dogs. It also contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties which help to sanitize the bitten area. This oil may be too harsh for dogs that have sensitive skin. If this is the case, dilute the oil with a carrier oil before applying.

1. Simply pour some drops of the oil on your palm and rub it on the skin.
2. You can also make a spray for your pet. Mix two tablespoons of neem oil with an equal amount of a mild detergent and mix well. Add a cup of water into this mixture and shake well. Use this spray on your dog immediately and up to a maximum of eight hours later.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great tick remedy commonly used to kill them naturally. This can be used in the form of a spray.

1. Depending on the size of your dog, mix one portion of apple cider vinegar with half its amount in a bowl.
2. Add into the mixture a teaspoon of salt and some baking soda.
3. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and shake well before using it on the dog.
4. Lavender oil and neem oil can also be used together with apple cider vinegar.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice contains citric acid which is great at getting ticks off dog pets. Using these citrus fruits for natural remedies is an easy way of killing and repelling ticks.

1. Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly on the affected part of the dog.
2. Prepare a lemon juice tick spray by mixing it with peppermint and citrus oils in equal amounts.
3. Boiling your lemon peels in water and using the water to bather the dog can also help in repelling ticks. It will also disinfect any areas bitten by the parasites.

Best Way to Get Rid of Ticks on Dogs

There are very many ways through which to get rid of dogs but which is the best way? While using over the counter products kills ticks very fast upon contact, these products normally contain harsh ingredients and they need to be used carefully. They could negatively affect other pets and humans around the pet.

On the other hand, natural remedies for ticks on dogs are environmental friendly but may take a while to be effective. On the other hand, both natural and commercial products may fail to work especially where the infestation is on a larger scale. In such cases, a professional exterminator would be best suited to eliminate and stop further infestations.

With these in mind, the best way of getting rid of as well as preventing ticks depends on the situation. Commercial products tend to work fast on ticks and are perfect for situations where you desire immediate results. In case you are environment conscious, have children and other pets around the dog, your best means would be the natural method. Where none of the home remedies for ticks on dogs works, infestations keep recurring and where there are many ticks within the house and yard area, the best way would be to engage professional exterminators to get rid of the ticks.

Sources

Petmd.com: 10 Ways to Remove Ticks from Dogs

Orkin.com: Ticks: Facts, Identification and Control

Pestchat.com: How to Get Rid of Ticks on Dogs Fast

Homeremedyshop.com: Remedies for Ticks

Webmd.com: Natural Insect Control: Flea and Tick Treatment for Pets

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