How To Keep Your Dog Safe From Fleas And Ticks This Summer
Posted on: 21 July 2018
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Fleas and ticks are going to be your dog's biggest foes this summer. Fleas and ticks are present outside, although some can be brought into your home on your own shoes or clothing, which can then attach themselves to your dog. Keep your dog safe this summer by following the tips below.
Give Your Dog A Monthly Preventative
The best thing you can do is to give your dog a flea and tick preventative. Whether it's a monthly pill or a liquid you put on the back of your dog's neck, giving your dog this preventative will help prevent flea and tick bites from occurring. Fleas can be a nuisance, causing your dog to bite or even chew himself, which can leave your dog with itchy bumps all over his body. Ticks can bite your dog and leave him with Lyme disease that can be deadly for your dog. The monthly preventative is cheaper than the treatment for Lyme disease if your dog ends up contracting this illness due to a bite.
A monthly preventative can be purchased from your veterinarian office. There are other types available, so ask your veterinarian about options for your dog.
Keep Your Lawn Trimmed
Trimming your yard and mowing often can prevent both ticks and fleas in your yard. If they aren't in your yard, they are less likely to get onto you or your dog. Trim your yard and trim the tree limbs in your yard as well. Make sure to trim around the edges, as well as around trees to prevent long grass and weeds from growing.
Spray An Exterior Pesticide
If your yard is full of these pesky bugs, spray the yard with a pesticide to kill them and other insects as well. Make sure when you spray the pesticide (or sprinkle it), that you don't allow your pet outside until the grass is dry and the dust from the pesticide has settled. It may be harmful to your pet, so keep your dog inside.
Watch For Signs Of Fleas And Ticks
If your dog happens to get fleas or has a tick bite, watch for signs such as your dog chewing or biting on himself excessively. Look on your dog's belly, behind the legs, and around the ears for both ticks and fleas. If you feel any spots or see a tick on your dog, remove the tick with tweezers. Make sure you remove the entire tick including the head. If you don't get the entire tick, get your dog to the veterinarian for assistance.
If you spot fleas on your dog, give your dog a flea bath and be sure to vacuum your entire home, or use a pesticide bomb in your home to kill the fleas.
Keep your dog safe this summer from fleas and ticks. Ask a professional veterinarian about what type of preventative you should be giving to your dog.