Home Remedies to Eliminate My Dog's Ticks

The dangerous time will soon begin, and in the summer ticks will turn into a real scourge. It is difficult to pull an insect out from under the skin, but this is not enough. After all, they are carriers of many diseases. Therefore, it is better not to wait for their bites, but to protect yourself from attacks in advance with the help of tick repellents.

In this article we will look primarily at folk remedies. For those who have little time, we can suggest simply buying ready-made tick repellents, such as Gardex, Kleschevit, Medilis and other repellers.

How to identify a tick

Ticks are a type of ectoparasitic mite, that is, parasites that settle in the bodies of other living creatures to feed on their blood. Typically, when these parasites jump on our dog to establish themselves as guests, they are small in size, which increases in size as they feed on our dog's blood. It is ideal to identify them when they are small , as they are much easier to eliminate with home remedies. But if we see them when they are already large, we will have to remove them ourselves using tweezers.

To know how to identify a tick in our dog, we must remember that the time of year in which they are most active is from spring to autumn . Therefore, if we are within this period of time, we should check our dog's coat daily. Ticks usually live in areas with tall grasses or bushes, so if we walk our dog through parks or forests with this type of vegetation. We must take care of the body when we get home as it is likely that they have become infected with ticks.

It is very important to remove ticks from your dog quickly because they carry diseases such as Lyme disease , a common disease in dogs that can lead to illnesses like:

Inflamed joints
Changes in your dog's skin
The appearance of fever and malaise in a dog
Muscle pain

However, if ticks are still small in size, how can we identify them? Very simply, paying attention to the main symptoms:

The dog scratches more than usual in areas such as the neck or ears.
Light bleeding on the skin, which may be associated with a small rash, swollen area, or redness.

Method number 4. Anti-tick spray

Sprays are very popular among owners of large breed dogs.
The bottle allows you to spray the drug over the entire body of the dog, providing complete protection to the tail, belly, hind legs, croup and, of course, the front area. This method should be used by owners whose pets spend a lot of time outdoors (hunting, watchdog or service animals). You can't protect an animal better than a spray can. There should not be any difficulties with use, but there are still some features. Spray the product outdoors, lifting the fur each time. Do not go home until the fur is dry. Negative characteristics include the toxicity of the composition and high pricing. Before spraying, cover your airways and your pet's nose and mouth. Before direct application, study the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pay special attention to the sections “Contraindications” and “Application”. Typically, these areas have a long list of activities.

Say goodbye to ticks on your dog with chamomile

Chamomile is a home remedy that can help you remove ticks from your dog effectively. The smell emanating naturally repels these parasites.

Make a chamomile infusion by boiling 1 handful of dried flowers in 1 cup of water. Let it warm up, take some cotton wool or a clean cloth, infuse it into the infusion, strain it and apply it to your dog's skin with care.

You can also eliminate mites using eucalyptus tincture . Prepare it and spread it over your dog's skin with a clean cloth or bathe it directly in the solution.

In the case of chamomile, remember that by applying this product to an animal's skin, we will be utilizing all of the healing properties of chamomile and also offering an excellent anti-inflammatory and natural antiseptic, ideal for relieving sting wounds. In addition to the above, another benefit of this product is that it can also be used on puppies .

Remember, it is very important that you disinfect your home to eliminate any traces of this parasite. Additionally, any infusion will not work to remove ticks from your dog, as there are a number of plants that are toxic to dogs.

How dangerous are ixodid ticks?

Hundreds of articles, scientific papers and studies have been written about the dangers and mortal danger of ixodid ticks. Nevertheless, many owners ignore basic things, hoping for a miracle. There is definitely little hope to protect a dog from ticks; these universal parasites pose too serious a threat.

In addition to a relatively harmless purulent abscess at the site of the bite, the tick is a carrier of a number of dangerous diseases:

Bartonellosis is dangerous for dogs, and sometimes for people. It can occur in a latent form and end in sudden death, but is detected by an ROC blood test for the presence of viruses. A dog whose immune system contains the virus can remain a carrier for several years. In the open form, the following are observed: inflammation of the joints, fever, anemia, weakness in the hind limbs, weight loss, drowsiness, abnormalities in the heart, smoking, hemorrhages in the eyeballs or nosebleeds. In the acute form, pulmonary edema and meningitis develop.

Hepatozoonosis - the disease is diagnosed quite rarely, however, it is found everywhere. If infected, the probability of death is more than 80%. The virus is difficult to detect even in laboratory tests. Most dogs remain “healthy” carriers after being bitten, but when the body’s immune defenses are reduced, the virus begins to attack. Given that symptoms appear suddenly, the disease is often confused with bartonellosis and piroplasmosis. A sick dog has: an unsteady gait, weakness of the hind legs, inflammation of the joints, muscle pain, anemia, rarely, diarrhea with a significant admixture of blood. In the later stages, myositis develops - inflammatory processes of the bone apparatus.

Piroplasmosis (babesiosis) is the most common disease affecting dogs due to a tick bite. It is not dangerous for humans, but the risk of infection for dogs is more than 90%. The disease is accompanied by massive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to a drop in hemoglobin levels, kidney failure, and oxygen starvation. In terms of infection, “voracious” females are more dangerous; after drinking blood, the tick injects “waste” into the dog’s body – plasma infected with the virus. Piroplasmosis is accompanied by an incubation period of 2–14 days (rarely up to 20), after which symptoms appear: lethargy, refusal to eat, pale mucous membranes, wobbling gait, jaundice, difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal upset. A symptom that allows you to visually diagnose piroplasmosis with an 80% probability is a change in the color of urine to brown, reddish, gray-green.

Ehrlichiosis is a rarely diagnosed disease, the reason is the difficulty of identifying the pathogen. Most often, the disease occurs in parallel with piroplasmosis (one tick carries 2 viruses), which significantly complicates treatment. The disease proceeds unnoticed for 2–20 days, after the end of the incubation period the following symptoms appear: changes in baseline body temperature from normal to 41°, sudden weight loss, difficulty breathing, noticeable enlargement of lymph nodes, purulent discharge from the nose and eyes, convulsions, paralysis. In the acute stage, a tendency to causeless bleeding develops. If the diagnosis of the acute form is reduced to blood tests without ROC samples, the results are false negative.

Lyme disease (tick-borne borreliosis) is a dangerous disease for dogs and people. The acute form rarely appears; after 3–12 days, the dog shows the following signs: increased temperature or temperature fluctuations, stiffness of movements, inflammation of the joints in the area of the bite, enlarged lymph nodes, problems with the heart and breathing, apathy, loss of appetite. The chronic form is accompanied by arthritis, causeless inflammation of internal organs, and destruction of blood vessels. The virus is transmitted in utero, which most often kills offspring in the early stages.

Homemade repellent with citrus fruits

Mites don't like the taste of citrus fruits at all, so this is another ideal natural remedy for eliminating them. With their help we can prepare homemade repellents , so get yourself a sprayer. The best citrus fruit is lemon, but you can also use oranges or any other.

To make this home remedy for eliminating ticks on dogs , you need to boil half a liter of water with two sliced lemons. When it reaches boiling point, leave for a minute and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for an hour. After a while, let it cool and cool, place it in a spray bottle and apply the product to the dog carefully so as not to get it in the eyes. Remember, it will also be helpful to spray rooms in your home to disinfect them from ticks. When using this natural tick remover, be careful not to inhale it, as the smell of citrus is one of the smells that most dogs hate.

How to protect your dog from fleas

A flea can jump on a dog even if the pet has not been in contact with other dogs. Therefore, prevention cannot be ignored. If a dog is infected, it is necessary to treat not only the dog, but the entire apartment. Particular attention should be paid to the bedding on which the dog sleeps.

The Best Flea Treatments for Dogs

The best protection against fleas for dogs is provided by tablets that cause paralysis in fleas. The rating is topped by the following flea remedies for dogs:

Bravecto (fluralaner) – kills fleas in 8 hours. Validity period: 3 months.
Nesgard (afoxolaner) – parasites die after 6 hours. Give to your pet once a month during the active season.
Simparica (sarolaner) – kills fleas in 8 hours. Give once every 32 months.

If you are concerned about the safety of the tablets, buy drops. Effective flea treatments for dogs:

Frontline COMBO (fipronil, S-methoprene) is a drug that protects against fleas for 90 days.
Beafar (diazinon) – protects against parasites for 3 weeks.
Advantix (imidacloprid and pyrmethrin) – keeps fleas away from your dog for a month.

Among the cheap drugs, we can highlight Bars, which protects the dog for 1-2 months. Don't be afraid to buy an inexpensive flea treatment for dogs. The fact is that fleas develop resistance to many insecticides, regardless of their price. Therefore, even expensive drugs become ineffective over time.

Many people do not trust cheap flea drops for dogs, and this is their advantage. Insects encounter them little, so they quickly die without having time to develop resistance.

Important: if you notice that the flea drug has ceased to have the desired effect, buy another flea drug for your dog.

Apple Cider Vinegar Is Deadly to Ticks in Dogs

Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy that ticks hate. Apple cider vinegar is composed of acetic acid and is also responsible for the bitter element and becomes a mite remover .

To perform this home remedy, you only need to mix water and vinegar in equal parts, dampen the mixture with a clean cloth or cotton, and gently and very gently wet your dog's skin, avoiding the eye area.

Preventive actions

A number of measures will help protect your dog from tick bites.

To avoid your pet being attacked by bloodsuckers, try:

Do not walk it in places with dense vegetation or damp areas.
Use pharmaceutical preparations that are applied to the withers in such a way that the animal cannot lick them off.
Use a parasite collar.
Wash the animal with a specialized shampoo that will destroy existing bloodsuckers.
Treat your dog with a spray if he rarely walks outside, but he will be traveling to a place with dense vegetation.
Do not combine different types of drugs to prevent poisoning of the animal. The majority of specialized products contain pesticides.
Monitor your pet’s condition on the first day after applying the solution for a timely reaction in case of signs of poisoning.

Ticks are carriers of many diseases. To prevent infection in pets, veterinary pharmacies offer a wide range of drugs, among which it is not difficult to find one that is suitable specifically for your four-legged friend.

Natural oils that are very effective in eliminating ticks from dogs

Another one of the best home remedies to eliminate ticks from your dog is to use a mixture of a number of natural oils. Of course, to avoid damaging your pet's skin, it will be important to obtain natural oils and avoid those essential oils that are loaded with chemical solutions. In that sense, if you can make them yourself, much better! However, if you have no choice but to use essential oils, we recommend diluting them in one liter of purified water, adding only two drops.

As with previous home remedies, the effectiveness of natural oils in eliminating ticks in dogs lies in the aroma they emit, which these parasites hate, and therefore make them want to run away.

Rosemary, cinnamon and almonds

Mix two tablespoons of almond butter with a teaspoon of rosemary oil and another of cinnamon in a bowl. Remember that if you use stock solutions, you must dilute the specified amount in water.

After obtaining a natural repellent to eliminate your dog's ticks, soak cotton wool or a clean cloth in it and apply the mixture to the area affected by the parasite. As with chamomile, rosemary promotes wound healing, so it will help greatly relieve the discomfort caused by the bite.

Vitamin E in capsules and almonds

If your dog has mites near his eyes or ears, then this home remedy to eliminate them is just what you need. Both almond oil and vitamin E are products that do not harm the animal's skin or cause irritation when used in natural solutions; It is very important here to discard almond essential oil.

To make this natural tick repellent, mix 20 ml of almond oil with a vitamin E capsule. Add the solution to a dropper jar, place a few drops on the affected area of the ears and massage very thoroughly. It is important to avoid introducing the mixture into the animal's ear canal and attempt to apply the medication only to the outer area. To apply to eyes, dampen gauze or damp cloth with repellent.

Basil, chamomile, lemon, lavender and cedar

Since we highlighted the antiparasitic properties of lemon and chamomile in the previous sections, they could not be missed in the list of the best oils for eliminating ticks in dogs. So, take a bowl and mix a tablespoon of basil oil, another with lemon oil, another with lavender oil and another with cedar oil with chamomile infusion.

Remember that if you use essential oils, you must first dilute them in water. Once the mixture is prepared, apply the home care product by soaking gauze or a clean cloth in it and lightly massaging the affected areas of your pet's skin.

Protection for children

Folk remedies for protecting children from ticks should be gentle, non-irritating to the skin, and without strong odors, so they do not use alcohol, vinegar or colognes.

The following aromas are pleasant to humans, but repellent to blood-sucking insects, on the basis of which children's tick repellent products are made:

tea tree essential oil;
geranium essential oil;
sweet almond oil;
culinary cloves;
vanillin.

Before preparing protective equipment, make sure that the child has no allergies or individual intolerance to the components used.

Tea tree oil spray

To make it you will need:

tea tree essential oil – 10-15 drops;
water – 50 ml.

Preparation and use:

Mix the ingredients in a bottle with a sealable lid.
This mixture separates. Be sure to shake it well before each use.
To use, moisten a cotton swab or palms with the solution and wipe the exposed areas of the child’s skin and hair. You can additionally spray your clothes with the solution.

Tea tree oil soap

To make it you will need:

tea tree essential oil – 10-15 drops,
soybean oil – 5-10 ml;
shower gel/liquid soap – 30 ml.

Preparation and use:

Mix soybean oil and detergent (gel or liquid soap) in a container.
Add essential oil, mix thoroughly.
Use as a cleanser when showering before and after walking outdoors.

Almond oil

To make it you need:

almond oil – 2 tbsp. spoons;
geranium essential oil – 15-20 drops.

Preparation and use:

Mix almond oil and geranium essential oil until smooth.
Pour the mixture into a dark container. In this form, the product is stored for up to 6 months and used as needed.
Rub a few drops of the mixture onto exposed skin.

Clove infusion

To make it you will need:

cloves (culinary) – 1 teaspoon;
water – 200 ml.

Preparation and use:

Mix cloves with water, put on fire and bring to a boil.
Let the broth brew for at least 8 hours.
Moisten a cotton swab with a decoction of cloves and treat exposed areas of the body before going out into the open.

"Sweet water"

For production you need:

vanillin – 2 g;
water – 1 l.

Preparation and use:

Mix vanillin with water, put on fire and bring to a boil.
Allow the solution to cool.
Moisten a cotton swab with the decoction and treat exposed areas of the body to repel insects.

Traditional methods of protection against ticks do not last long, so they require re-application every 1.5-2 hours, and do not provide 100% protection. Be careful when walking with children.

Basic care after removing ticks from dogs

If you see ticks on your dog's body, remember that you can also try to remove them yourself using special tweezers that you can get from your veterinarian. To remove ticks from a dog , it is recommended to use gloves to prevent them from sticking to your skin, as it can also bite you and cause a number of diseases such as turalemia.

When we manage to remove the tick, whether we did it with tweezers or previous home remedies, we must disinfect the area with iodine to heal any wound that this insect may have caused to the dog.

How to protect a pregnant and lactating bitch from parasites

It is highly undesirable to treat a female dog for fleas during pregnancy. The owner must take this into account and be sure to carry out the treatment earlier. If you cannot do without it after pregnancy, consult your doctor. He will tell you which flea and tick treatment is best for your dog.

Manufacturers of Bravecto, Simparica, Nesgard allow pills to be given during pregnancy. But we must remember that at this time, especially at the beginning of pregnancy, the baby’s organs are formed. Any tablets can affect this process, so it is better to use drops against fleas and ticks.

As for lactation, flea and tick tablets can get into the milk and cause a negative reaction in puppies. Manufacturers do not indicate this, but many drugs have this effect on infants. Therefore, to protect the bitch, it is better to use anti-tick drops, applied to the withers, between the shoulder blades. It is imperative to ensure that the puppies do not lick the flea and tick medication when the bitch is lying down.

Home Remedies to Prevent Ticks in Dogs

To keep your dog protected from ticks , it is recommended to buy a good collar that is repellent for this type of parasite, as well as use an anti-parasitic dropper, which your regular veterinarian will tell you to do.

However, if you are unable to use veterinary anti-parasitic medications for any reason, here are some home remedies to avoid ticks in dogs. Of course, keep in mind that if you tend to walk your dog in areas with a lot of ticks, this may not be enough and you should move on to veterinary products.

Apple cider vinegar bath

Just as apple cider vinegar is a product that allows us to remove ticks from dogs, it also acts as a preventative and therefore prevents him from becoming infected with these parasites. To use this home remedy as a preventative, you must mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar with the shampoo you use to wash your dog. Then we continue to bathe the dog as usual, dry it and clean it.

In addition to being a powerful natural repellent and effective preventative, apple cider vinegar will help you prevent your dog from smelling bad. Also, don't worry about the intense aroma of apple cider vinegar; after bathing your dog, you will notice that there is no trace of it.

Eucalyptus leaves

Just as eucalyptus infusion is an excellent natural remedy for eliminating ticks in dogs, the leaves can also help us prevent these parasites. How? It's very simple by placing them in different places in our home, especially in the room where our furry companion relaxes and sleeps. Of course, you should make sure that your dog does not eat eucalyptus leaves, as he may not digest them properly and this will cause vomiting or diarrhea. And if your dog is one of those who can't stop himself from ingesting the plant, try placing the leaves under his bed and see if they go unnoticed by him.

Brewer's yeast

Yes, just like brewer's yeast has many good properties for humans, it is also very beneficial for dogs. One of the main components of this product is vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, a molecule that helps repel ticks and fleas due to the odor it generates in the dog's blood, which is very unpleasant for these parasites. In addition, not only can it prevent these irritating hosts, but it also helps maintain the animal's coat thanks to the high amount of biotin that provides extra shine and softness.

To use this home remedy to avoid ticks in dogs, you should simply mix a teaspoon of brewer's yeast with your regular dog food. If your furry companion is large or giant, use 3/4 tablespoon.

You can administer the indicated doses of brewer's yeast once a day, no more. If you want to change the amount, we recommend checking with your regular veterinarian first.

Infusions

Dogs are also protected from parasites with infusions. These DIY tick repellents have been found to be no less effective than oils.

You can protect your dog from bloodsuckers with the following infusions:

Wormwood is the main enemy of all parasites; just 20 g of fresh grass per liter of water can repel ticks and fleas from your four-legged pet. The ingredients are combined, brought to a boil, and cooled. Strain and apply with a spray bottle before each exit to the street.
You can prepare another infusion at home; it contains vanillin and vodka. For every 2 g of dry matter, take 100 g of alcohol, mix well and keep for 10 days in a cool, dark place. Next, the mixture is poured into a container with a sprayer, treatment is carried out every day before going outside.
You can also fight parasites with garlic water; to prepare it you will need half a liter of liquid and three cloves of garlic. Peeled and chopped garlic is placed in water and left for 8 hours, then applied to the back and withers of the animal before each walk. It is not recommended to treat other parts of the body; the dog will be able to lick itself.

Folk remedies for dogs against ticks
You can also treat your dog against ticks using combined means; essential oils are often added to infusions. Before conducting such experiments, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian; he will be able to give effective advice on combining substances.

Method number 1. Anti-tick collar

An acaricidal collar is considered one of the most reliable and accessible methods of tick control. The device is impregnated with a special liquid that has insecticidal properties.
The principle of operation and use is not particularly difficult. The owner needs to unpack the tape, put the collar on the pet and adjust it to size.
This kind of ammunition does not protect the animal from ticks 100%; many manufacturers provide only a 90% guarantee. For this reason, the collar must be supplemented with other, more effective means.
Collars are designed to control surface parasites, not subcutaneous parasites. Before use, it is necessary to study the duration of action. This way you can replace old ammunition with new ones in a timely manner.
In addition to protecting against ticks, the collar effectively controls fleas and lice. The last two types of insects last much longer.
The impregnation located in the cavity of the material is released during wear. The composition covers the skin and fur of the animal, remaining in the structure for a long time. Ticks often infect the ears, withers, neck, chest and head. The collar is aimed specifically at the designated areas.
Among the disadvantages of the devices, one can highlight the insecurity of the abdomen, the back of the body, and the tail. It is not uncommon for a pet to develop an allergy to the drug.
Owners of two or more dogs should abandon the collar. Brothers can lick each other, as a result of which a harmful substance gets into the mouth. Families with small children should also be careful.
Give preference to drops from leading manufacturers. These include “Frontline”, “Strong-Hold”, “Dana”, “Bars”, “Adventigs Baer”, “Clandestine”. Select ammunition taking into account the age of the pet and the duration of action.