How to Prevent Fleas and Ticks On Your Dog

Fleas and ticks are annoying critters that can irritate both the dog and the dog's owner. Fleas leave itchy bites and multiply quickly. Ticks burrow under an animal's skin where they can feast on the animal's blood. Ticks can also spread diseases to their victims. Keeping a dog pest free can be a difficult job, especially if the dog lives in an environment that caters to these pesky insects. Here are a few tips on how to prevent fleas and ticks from getting onto dogs.

Avoid Tall Grass and Weeds

Fleas and ticks generally stick to wooded areas and fields with tall grass or plants. These locations are ideal for these critters to jump onto or latch onto a large animal. When dogs venture into these areas, they become vulnerable to these insects. It is best to keep dogs out of wooded areas or areas where the grass and weeds are overgrown. If the owner and dog love to hike, owners should consider keeping their dog on a short leash to keep the dog from venturing into the vegetation surrounding the trail.

Stay Rodent Free

If owners are accustomed to leaving their dogs in the back yard or in a storage shed, they need to be sure that they eliminate places where rodents could nest. For example, owners should close off any small holes or crevices where rodents could squeeze in and live. Also, any piles of junk, wood piles, or stacks of wood should be organized so that rodents do not make these locations their new home. Because young fleas and ticks often latch onto small animals, it is best to keep the dog's area rodent free in order to prevent those young fleas and ticks from transferring onto the dog's bed or body.

Keep Dog Healthy

Fleas and ticks prey on animals that are not healthy. By feeding their dog a healthy diet and keeping the dog in good physical shape, owners will help prevent their dogs from attracting irritating bugs. Consult a veterinarian to understand what the best diet is for each breed of dog. Keeping a dog healthy will help make sure the fleas and ticks find another, less healthy, dog to feed on.

Natural and Chemical Treatments

When owners are eager to go hiking or running with their dog, they should consider spraying a natural or chemical treatment on their dog. These treatments are generally safe for dogs, but they are deadly to fleas and ticks. By spraying the dog with one of these types of treatments, owners will ensure that any bugs that try and connect to their dog will be killed instantly. Owners should consult with their veterinarian before spraying their dog with any kind of treatment to ensure that it will not be harmful to their dog.

Monitor the Dog

Owners should make a habit of checking their dog for bugs by combing slowly through their hair. If a dog has attracted one tick or flea, it does not mean that the entire house is infested. However, owners will need to take a few precautions to ensure that the insects do not reproduce. Owners should treat their animals and then wash or discard the animal's bedding. They may also consider fumigating their house. These chemicals can be bought at the store and will kill any stray fleas or ticks that may have burrowed into the carpet or furniture.

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