Ticks are small bugs that attach to your dog’s skin and suck their blood while causing irritation and skin disease. They also cause tick-borne illness which poses a health risk for both humans and dogs. A successful tick control program involves the prevention of ticks in your environment, on your pet, and eradication of an existing infestation. When considering tick control, the safety of the means of control is most important.
Tips on tick control in dogs
- Use veterinary approved tick control products. These include:
-Topical Tick Spray e.g. Frontline
-Oral chewable tick tablets. Bravecto or Simparica.
-Tick collars.
-Chemical bath/Tick bath.
- When you treat your dog(s), treat the environment at the same time. This can be achieved by fumigating an already infested environment.
- Avoid a bushy environment as they serve as a habitat for ticks.
- If you have more than one dog, treat them at the same time.
- Avoid contact/interaction between your tick-free dogs and dogs that are infested.
Quick removal/control of ticks from your dogs reduces their chances of contracting a tick-transmitted disease. You should regularly check your dog’s ear and body for ticks (even if they are on tick prevention treatments) and take action if you see any.
When in doubt of the choice of tick control products, consult your veterinarian and get a prescription for a product that will be most effective and safe for your dog’s condition. If your dog is showing signs of illness during or after an infestation, you should visit your Vet.
