Ticks are insects that are commonly found on the bodies of pets. They survive by feeding on their blood.
These bloodsucking parasites look similar to a spider. Your pet is most likely to get tick during the spring and autumn.
If you are suspecting that your furry friend has ticks, we can help you with ways to tackle the problem.
What Should I Do If My Dog Has Ticks?
To remove the tick from dog, grasp the skin between the fingers and catch the tick with fine-tipped tweezer and slowly remove tick from dog’s skin. Prevent crushing the tick on the dogs’s skin. After tick removal, clean the area with warm water and soap. Apply small amount of antibiotic cream at the site of tick to avoid secondary infection
Causes of Ticks
Dogs get ticks from the surroundings and rarely from other animals. Ticks are attracted to dogs and cats by their warmth, odour and physical contact.
Ticks are active in warm weather like summer. These bloodsucking insects can transmit diseases like tularemia, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and equine encephalitis.
Symptoms of Ticks are:
These insects cause a lot of issues for your furry pet. It is tough to spot these tiny parasites in your dog’s fur, but you should look out for these symptoms:
- Itching
- Fever
- Small bumps
- Unexplained scabs
- Excessive head shaking
- Loss of appetite
- Redness and inflamed skin
- Lethargy
How to get rid of Ticks?
If your dog loves to be outdoors, you need to check for ticks regularly. At some places, ticks are active all around the year and not just in summers. Below mentioned are the ways to spot ticks and ways to get rid of them if they have caught hold of your pet.
Check for ticks
Run your fingers slowly over your pup’s entire body. If you notice a swollen area or bump, scan closely and check if the tick has burrowed there.
Do not just scan your dog’s torso, but also check around their legs, between their toes, inside their ears, face, neck and chin.
Is it really a tick?
Ticks are brown, tan or black and have eight legs. They are super tiny in size.
Removal of ticks
Using tweezers
Hold the tick close to your pet’s skin without pinching or hurting your dog. Pull out the stick slowly in a studying motion. Ensure you do not jerk and do not leave anything behind that could lead to an infection.
Using equipment
- Gloves
- Clean tweezers
- Antiseptic cream or disinfectant
- Isopropyl alcohol
Make sure to wear gloves while removing or checking for ticks to prevent contact with your skin.
Gently press the tick remover against your dog’s skin where the tick is and slide the notch of the tick remover beneath the tick, releasing it.
Clean-up and post care
Put the tick into isopropyl alcohol and note down the date you found the tick on your pet’s body. In case your dog still shows the symptoms, then you may want to take him/her to the vet for tests.
A few symptoms include lameness or arthritis that last for around four days, swollen joints, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, neurological issues and swollen lymph nodes.
Wash your hands thoroughly, clean your dog’s wound with an antiseptic and clean the equipment with isopropyl alcohol.
Check the area where you found the tick. If the skin is still infected or irritated, see the vet instantly.
Prevent future infection
If you dog loves to e outdoors, make sure to check for ticks regularly. Make sure to check all family members after outdoor activities in forestry or wooded areas.
Comb your dog with flea comb, vacuum often and dispose the bags instantly after use, wash the dog bedding every week, wash the dog with pesticide-free shampoo and moq the area of the law where your pet spends time.
How to prevent ticks on dogs?
Avoid tick infected areas
Do not let your pet wander in areas that are tick infested like tall grasses or heavily wooded areas.
Also, keep them away from areas where local wildlife may roam like opossums, deer or raccoons. This is because they can carry ticks and may infect your pet.
Use a tick collar
Tick collars emit deadly chemicals and gases to ticks and prevents them from getting into your dog’s fur. These collars are super simple to out on. If you dog has sensitive skin, then the collar may irritate the area.
Check out the tick collars available in the market and buy the most ideal one for your pet.
Use a tick shampoo
Give your furry friend normal baths but with a special shampoo that kills existing ticks and also prevents further infestation.
These shampoos are made particularly for dogs and you have to use it just like any other dog shampoo.
Check your dog’s coat regularly
Even if your pet does not stay outdoors a lot or you do not live in a teck infested area, check your dog’s coat regularly to prevent an infestation.
Just run your fingers through the fur and check dark areas like under the tail, belly groin or around the eyes and ears.
Try prescribed medication
Your vet may prescribe cheable medication that may help prevent fleas and ticks. Remember that these oral medications have side effects just like any other medicine.
It is crucial to understand the risks of the medication with your vet and select the most effective and least harmful for your pet.
Best tick treatments for dogs in India [Powder, Spray & Shampoo]
1. Himalaya Erina-EP Tick and Flea Control Shampoo
The shampoo is made out of natural ingredients and is completely safe for pets.
Himalaya is one of the most popular Ayurvedic brands in India and does not need any introduction.
This tick and flea shampoo is ideal for dogs and cats both. This shampoo prevents ticks, fleas and lice. This shampoo contains ingredients like Acorus calamus (Vacha) and Tephorosia Purpurea that has insecticidal properties to prevent infestation.
The shampoo does not contain any harmful chemicals and thus it is completely safe for your pets.
The shampoo also control body odour and eaves your pet smell fresh. It also balances the pH level that prevents scaling.
Using the shampoo is super simple, just apply the shampoo on your pet’s body, leave it on for around 15 minutes and then water with water. Pat the coat dry and comb the fur.
2. Dogz & Dudez Neem Shield Tick & Flea Spray
This spray contains neem and lemongrass which are natural parasite and insect repellents.
Another natural tick and flea spray on this list is by Dogz & Dudez. This shield spray contains neem and lemongrass which are natural repellent of parasites and insects.
This product is hand-crafted with care to break the life cycle of the bloodsucking parasites. The spray does not include any chemicals which can be harmful for your pet.
You can use this spray outdoors as well as indoors. It is an ideal option for puppies and cats too. Applying it is super simple since it comes in a spray bottle. All you need to do is mix and spray.
This formulation is helpful in preventing parasite infestation and also getting rid of an active infestation.
3. Vivaldis Single Pipette Prevention & Treatment
The spot-on treatment works on all stages of ticks and fleas and also prevents re-infestation.
Vivaldis spot-on prevention and treatment for ticks, fleas and lice is ideal for dogs weighing between 20 and 40 kgs.
The best part about this spot on treatment is that once applied it lasts for a month. The treatment works on all stages of ticks and fleas and also prevents re-infestation.
This product contains Fipronil and S-Methoprene that kills and stops the growth of ectoparasites.
Using this spot-on product is super simple, all you need to do is apply it at one point on shoulder blade of the dog by parting or clipping his/her hair, directly on to his/her skin.
Make sure not to use the product on wet skin or hair and bathe your dog after 48 hours of application only with water.
4. Himalaya Erina Ep Powder
The powder is made out of natural ingredients and is completely safe for daily use.
Another Himalaya product for ticks and fleas on this list is the Erina Ep powder. This ectoparasite repellent powder can be used regularly to prevent ectoparasite infestation.
This powder contains natural ingredients like Acorus calamus (Vacha) and Tephorosia Purpurea (Sarapunkha) that has insecticidal properties which helps in preventing infestation.
The powder smells fresh and eliminates the odour from your pet’s body. Applying it is effortless, you need to dust the powder liberally on your dog’s body and rub it thoroughly.
This infestation prevention pwoder can alos be used on cats.
5. Captain Zack IRradicate Tick Repellent Powder
This powder contains scientifically proven tick and ecoparasite repellent bioactive molecule IR3535.
This tick and flea repellent powder from Captain Zack is vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free. It is non-toxic, thus safe and gentle for your pet’s skin.
The powder contains scientifically proven tick and ecoparasite repellent bioactive molecule IR3535 by Merck, Germany. This ingredient is often used in effective insect repellant baby products.
The powder contains a blend of eucalyptus, lemongrass and tea tree oil that has anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal properties and repells ticks and fleas.
With the high safety index, it is safe to use daily. You can use this powder on puppies and cats as well.
6. iiLio Anti-Tick Natural Powder
It is sulfate-free, non-toxic, and sneeze-free.
This one is another natural and affordable powder on the list. This product is made with natural essential oils that kill the parasites and also prevent re-infestation.
The iiLio natural powder is sulfate-free, non-toxic, sneeze-free and thus safe to use. It also has a soothing fragrance that stays all day long.
Make sure to dust some powder on the dog’s bedding and the places he often sits. This will help stop the tick life cycle. This powder can be used on puppies above 1 ½ months of age.
Conclusion
We hope to have helped you get all the information about what to do if your dog is infected wit ticks and fleas. We have even reviewed the best products for you to help you make an informed purchase decision.