Ever noticed your furry buddy biting its leg or constantly putting its teeth into its own body? One of the prime causes (besides many others) of this constant urge of your dog to scratch its skin could be due to the presence of ticks; one of the most common canine problems that result in tickborne diseases such as tick fever, tick-borne infection, and discomforting tick bites. While the vaccine is not available for deadly tickborne diseases, there are other ways to fight them. The article delves into some home remedies to prevent these pests from troubling your four-legged pet.
Also Read: Pet Care: Make Regular Health-Check-up A Practice To Keep Them Free From Diseases
What Exactly Are Ticks?
Ticks are common parasites that breed in various environments such as grassy fields, wooded areas, and even urban parks. Dogs are particularly susceptible to ticks due to their close contact with grass, shrubs, and other vegetation where ticks thrive. Several factors contribute to why dogs get ticks. Firstly, ticks are opportunistic parasites that latch onto hosts, such as dogs, to feed on their blood. Dogs provide an ideal environment for ticks to feed and reproduce, with their warm bodies and furry coats offering ample hiding places. Dogs often explore outdoor environments where ticks are abundant, increasing their exposure to these parasites. Simply playing in the backyard can put dogs at risk of encountering ticks. Dogs with longer coats or those that spend time outdoors are at a higher risk of tick infestation. Once they stick to a dog’s body, ticks migrate to areas of the body where they can feed, such as around the ears, neck, and belly.
Also Read: Pet Love: Benefits Of Four-Legged Friend For The Elderly, Factors To Keep In Mind
How To Prevent Ticks Infestation?
Preventing tick infestations in dogs requires regular tick checks, pet grooming, and preventive measures such as tick repellents and medications prescribed by veterinarians. By understanding why dogs are prone to ticks, pet owners can take proactive steps to protect their furry companions from these pesky parasites and the diseases they may carry. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about tick-borne diseases
(Shop From Our Range Of Pet Grooming Essentials)
We bring you four homemade tick spray recipes that you can use to help ward off ticks on dogs:
Apple Cider Vinegar Tick Spray
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
How To Use?
Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your dog's coat, focusing on areas where ticks are likely to hide, such as around the neck, ears, belly, and legs. Reapply as needed, especially after your dog has been outside in tick-prone areas.
Rose Geranium Tick Repellent Spray
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled or filtered water
- 10 drops of geranium essential oil
- 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil
- 5 drops of citronella essential oil
How To Use?
Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix the oils with the water. Spray the solution onto your dog's coat, avoiding the eyes and mucous membranes. Reapply as needed.
Neem Oil Tick Repellent Spray
Ingredients:
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2 tablespoons neem oil
- 7 to 8 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 5 to 6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
How To Use?
Mix the neem oil with the essential oils in a small bowl. Add the diluted neem oil mixture to the distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake well to ensure thorough mixing. Spray the solution onto your dog's coat. Reapply as required.
Herbal Tick Repellent Spray
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried peppermint
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
How To Use?
For a strong herbal infusion, boil the dried herbs in water for 10-15 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool completely and strain out the herbs. Pour the herbal infusion into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your dog's coat, focusing on areas prone to ticks.
References:
- Geographical distribution and pathogenesis of ticks and tick-borne viral diseases
Taif Shah, Qian Li, Binghui Wang, Zulqarnain Baloch
Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10244671/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8905283/
