A Seasonal Guide for Tick Control to Keep Your Dog Safe

Why is it important to protect your animals against ticks? Most dogs and cats who spend time outdoors are vulnerable to ticks. Tick control is essential to protect not only your pets, but your family as well, to avoid potential diseases associated with this critter, such as Lyme Disease. In this article, we will explore the varieties of ticks active in Canada and how to prevent harm to your pets.  

Ticks from A to Z

According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, ticks are expanding in parts of Canada at a rate of 46 km per year, with eastern Canada being highly affected. The two most common types of ticks found across the country are:

Black-legged Tick.

·       Characterized by dark brown head and legs, and amber body

·       Approximately .3 cm long, but can grow exponentially when fed

·       Active between early spring to late fall, thrive in temperatures as low as 0 degrees Celsius

·       Found in tall grasslands, shrubs, and deciduous forests

·       Can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis

American Dog Tick

·       Characterized by a patterned back

·       Approximately .5 cm long, but can grow exponentially when fed

·       Most active when days are longer, from early spring to mid-summer

·       Found in areas without much tree cover, such as forest edges, grassy fields, trails, and walkways

 

Effective Tick Control

Step 1. Keep away from areas where ticks thrive. 

Often, ticks are transferred to humans from pets. Since they crawl and don’t fly or jump, it is often easier to crawl onto a pet than a human, especially given that animals will often lie down or roll around in risky areas such as tall grass.

Step 2. Maintaining your pet areas. 

If your dog spends a lot of time in the yard, you may want to cut the grass more often to help with tick population control. Step 3. Inspection and removalAfter an adventure with your dog out in nature or after your dog spends time in the yard, inspect your pet’s fur for undesirable passengers. These creatures are usually smaller than a dime. Because they are so small, they are often hard to see on pets with long and dark fur. A thorough inspection can help spot them before they can enter your home and crawl onto you when you are in contact with your pet.It is also important to know how to remove and treat tick bites in the event of contact. The best prevention measure for peace of mind and to avoid a tick infestation is treating your animal with preventive treatments. A variety of information concerning how ticks affect dogs and effective tick control measures is available to help you protect your household.

Preventative Treatment

A variety of tick control treatment options are available to pet owners. Some are available with or without a prescription and come in various forms, including oral and topical. However, it is important to consult with your veterinary clinic first to avoid giving your pet a form of treatment that is not suitable for their needs. For example, it can be dangerous to use certain types of dog tick treatments on cats because of the ingredients that can be specific to certain dog species.

Consult a Veterinary Clinic for More Help with Tick Control

If you think your dog has been bitten by a tick or needs help choosing a treatment for tick control, a clinic like Chapel Hill Veterinary Clinic will be glad to assist you in determining the best product for your pet and to help protect your pets and homes against this little pest. For more information and to book an appointment, please visit our contact us page.