Preventing Flea and Ticks: Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Your dog deserves the best. So, when it comes to their health, you need to be aware of some common problems. Your home can be the cleanest in the land, but your dog will still be susceptible to fleas and ticks. Unfortunately, it’s just one of those things that dog owners have to put up with.

While the very thought of fleas and ticks is enough to make anyone itch, there are some great ways that you can keep your dog happy. You don’t have to worry that your dog is unhappy and unhealthy as a result of these troublesome parasites.

While summer may be prime time for fleas and ticks, some of these pesky critters can be seen in winter too.  Your dog doesn’t have to suffer any longer. Here is your one-stop guide to preventing fleas and ticks.

What Are Fleas and Ticks?

Both ticks and fleas are parasites that live within your dog’s fur. They nestle themselves into warm areas of your dog. Usually, they settle around the legs, neck and ears. They then feed off their dead skin and blood. This can be irritating for your dog. While these parasites are not dangerous, they can have an impact on your dog’s health if they are left untreated.

Spotting the Signs of Ticks and Fleas

There are some common signs associated with fleas and ticks.

Fleas: If your dog is scratching at the fur, this is a clear sign of a problem. Fleas will lay eggs in the hair. These are tiny white specks and are hard to spot. But, if these are accompanied by black specks or dark red specks, this is a sure sign of flea droppings.

Ticks: As ticks are large, you will locate them with ease. You will see them around the head, ears and paws. Sometimes, they can appear the eyes and mouth .so if you spot one you need to remove it immediately. Use tweezers to make sure that they are killed.

Flea

Preventative Measures

When it comes to protecting your dog’s health, prevention is always better than cure. What is more, you can easily prevent flea and ticks using a wide range of home medications.

Shampoo

Shampoos are one of the most effective ways of combating fleas and ticks. Make sure that you bathe your dog regularly and administer the shampoo while they are bathing. The chemicals within the shampoo are not harmful to your dog, but they are detrimental to fleas and ticks. This can be a preventative measure to take, but it can also act as a cure for existing fleas. The best way to get rid of fleas is to kill them immediately.

Oral Medication

Oral medication may be easier to administer if your hound does not like going in the bath. Make sure that you put the medicine into their feed and follow the course as prescribed on the medication. This is a useful measure in keeping parasites at bay.

Dips

Dips are strong chemicals that are applied to the dog’s fur. While your canine cannot be hurt by the chemicals, do use caution when using this solution. The strong chemical stops ticks from feeding off your dog. These are very effective forms of treatment. Use twice per year for maximum effect.