Captain Zack Blog Ticks and Fleas: Prevention Starts at Home

Tackling Ticks and Fleas: A Natural ApproachTicks and fleas are the creepy crawly monsters that feature in most pet parents' nightmares. The mere sight of one of these bloodthirsty insects latched onto your pet's skin is enough to cause a shiver to run down your spine. But what are they really, and why should we as pet parents care about them?Tick and flea prevention can be cumbersome and sometimes requires multiple approaches to get rid of them. This post focuses on how to tackle ticks and fleas without using medications or topical applications.What Are Ticks and Fleas?Ticks and fleas are two different types of parasites that commonly infect both cats and dogs. They bite and suck blood from their hosts and transmit diseases. The good news? There are ways to get rid of these infestations and easy preventative measures to reduce the chance of a re-infestation!Ticks:Appearance: Ticks look a lot like very small spiders. Once they latch onto your pet, they feed off your pet's blood.Diseases: There are hundreds of different species of ticks that can transmit diseases like tick-borne relapsing fever and Lyme disease. Some specific ticks can pass on tick-borne encephalitis.Fleas:Appearance: Fleas are blackish-brown specks, smaller than ticks, and they jump very quickly and high.Diseases: Fleas can cause flea allergic dermatitis and pass on tapeworm and typhus.Both parasites lay multiple eggs at a time, so infestations can get out of hand very quickly. Whichever of these your dog has, it is extremely important you act immediately to get rid of them.Signs That Your Dog May Have Ticks and Fleas:Spotting ticks and fleas on your dogA lot of itchiness and scratching around the head and earsRed spots on your dog's skin from tick or flea bitesSigns of flea dirt (black-brown powdery substance in the fur)Spotting a tick anywhere in your homeBumps or rashes (some dogs are allergic to tick bites)How to Get Rid of Ticks and Fleas on Dogs:Ticks:Spread the fur around the tick back so you have a clear space to work with.Grasp the tick at a point that is as close to the skin as possible and pull it out gently.Don't release the tick back into the environment.Kill it by dropping it into a prepared solution of diluted disinfectant (alcohol and vinegar).Clean the bite area on your dog with a pet-safe antiseptic solution and wash your hands well.Fleas: Fleas are very fast and catching them by hand is quite tricky. Apply an anti-tick and flea massage oil and then give your dog an anti-tick and flea shampoo bath with warm water. This may have to be repeated every 10 days until the infestation is gone.How to Tackle a Tick and Flea Infestation:Step 1: Brush Your PetUse a tooth comb or a flea comb to pick out many of the parasites.Kill ticks and fleas by dropping them in a container with a soapy solution.Step 2: Pre-Bath MassageUse natural pet-safe oil to massage onto your pet's coat. Consider Lavender, Neem, and Camphor which help in repelling ticks & fleas.Step 3: BathsBathe your pet with an anti-tick and flea shampoo every 10-14 days until all the ticks are gone.Step 4: Clean Your Home ThoroughlyWash or vacuum carpets and clean your pet's sleeping areas.Dust anti-tick and flea powder on your dog's bedding items.Spray natural solutions of Neem oil and Apple cider vinegar on furniture and tiles.Step 5: Preventive PlanDo a tick check every day and use grooming products that include tick-repellent oils like neem.Ensure your dog has a nutritious diet and stays hydrated. Consult your vet before giving any supplements.By following these steps, you can ensure your pet stays tick and flea-free, healthy, and happy.More