Many dog owners ask themselves: Is there optimal tick protection for the dog? First of all: There is no solution that is suitable for every dog. Which tick protection mistress or masters choose is always an individual decision. Depending on the region, the bloodsuckers are differently widespread. There are also differences between the dog breeds: if one dog remains almost free of ticks, a short walk across a green area is enough for the other to become the target of a tick. However, the fact is: ticks are not only annoying, but they can also be extremely dangerous.
Ticks are dangerous to dogs
A single bite runs the risk of contracting incurable diseases to the dog. The beloved four-legged friends are more often targeted by the bloodsuckers than people. No wonder, because the dogs roam through meadows and fields with their whole body. While the owners protect themselves from ticks with their clothing, a dog is at their mercy.
That is why it is the duty of every dog ​​owner to protect their own fur nose from dangerous tick bites. There is a multitude of communicable diseases that, in the worst case, can lead to the death of your four-legged friend. Some of them are:
Babesiosis
The alluvial forest tick transmits the dangerous babesiosis pathogen. The symptoms usually show up one to three weeks after the tick bite. The pathogens break down the red blood cells. A high fever often sets in. Loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice are also possible signs.
Lyme disease
All known types of ticks are able to transmit Lyme disease to dogs. The tricky thing is that dogs rarely show symptoms after the bite. Occasionally the four-legged friend gets sick with a fever and suffers from loss of appetite. Later on, the disease manifests itself among other things. from lameness that becomes chronic. Heart and kidney damage are also typical symptoms.
Ehrlichiosis
The pathogens attack the dog’s white blood cells. These are important for the immune system. The symptoms are often insidious and can only appear years after the tick bite. At first, the dog is dull, listless, and does not eat. Bleeding may follow later (for example, nosebleeds, bleeding in the mucous membranes, and coughing up blood).
Control after the dog walkers
If you want to do without tick repellants completely, you can check your own four-legged friend for ticks immediately after the walk. Sounds pretty straightforward at first. However, depending on the dog, this method proves to be laborious and time-consuming. Tick control is quick and easy for small and short-haired dogs. It is important to examine the dog completely, i.e. also behind the ears, on the inner thighs, on the tail, etc.
For long-haired dogs that are prone to ticks, it is a laborious affair. Therefore, this is not suitable as the sole protection against ticks. Even with careful control, the small bloodsuckers can be overlooked.
Best tick protection for the dog
Dog owners are responsible for their four-legged friends. Protection against parasites is therefore mandatory. But the immense choice leads to uncertainty. In addition to repelling ticks, many preparations promise to keep other parasites away. There are a variety of tick repellants for dogs on the pet market. From natural preparations, chemical tick protection products in specialist stores, to medical products that are only available from the veterinarian.
Natural tick protection for the dog
The effectiveness of natural tick repellants for dogs is extremely controversial. Some dog owners swear by the natural alternatives. Others, however, reject such preparations completely. It is important that every dog owner deals responsibly with the topic of tick protection and finds the best, compatible solution for their own four-legged friend.
Coconut oil
How can an oil protect against ticks? The lauric acid contained in coconut oil is responsible for the anti-tick effect. This acts as a deterrent not only on ticks but also on fleas.
There are two application methods: Applied externally every day, it not only protects against ticks but also ensures a shiny coat. First, rub some organic quality coconut oil on the palm of your hand so that it takes on a liquid consistency. Then it is distributed very thoroughly to the dog.
Coconut oil can also be used internally. A small amount (depending on the size of the dog) is added to the food. Many dogs like the taste of the oil. This is why coconut oil has a high level of acceptance among four-legged friends.
Brewer’s yeast
The smell of the B vitamins contained in brewer’s yeast appears to have a repellent effect on ticks. Brewer’s yeast is available as a powder, which is added to the feed, or as a tablet. Many dogs tolerate the natural product. Nevertheless, some sensitive fur noses can develop diarrhea. Therefore, it should only be administered gradually in small amounts at first.
Tick protection from specialist retailers
All tick repellants that are available over the counter fall into this category. The effectiveness of these preparations is in the middle range. That is, they are more effective than the natural tick repellants and less effective than those given by the veterinarian.
Tick collars
Here the dog wears a collar during the dog walkers to be protected from ticks. The anti-tick ingredients are released through the fur. A tick collar usually lasts for a month. The owner should pay attention to how their own dog accepts the additional collar. Some fur noses don’t mind, while others find it annoying. Especially since it can easily get caught in the bushes, it’s not that practical.
Spot-ons
The owner instills the spot-on on the dog’s neck on the skin. The preparation spreads over the entire body via the sebum layer of the fur nose. It works as follows: Either it kills the tick before the disease can be transmitted, or the agent prevents it from stinging.
Tick repellent from the vet
The effectiveness is highest here because the active ingredients have a high concentration. However, this also means that more side effects can occur. Therefore, only treatment with tick protection products from the veterinarian makes sense in the following cases:
- The dog shows good tolerance.
- The dog walks take place in places where ticks with dangerous pathogens are widespread.
- The dog is particularly prone to tick bites with its long fur, where the ticks can hide optimally.
Tick ​​collars and spot-ons from the vet
Here, too, there are tick collars and spot-ons. However, some dogs are sensitive to the high dose. Therefore, the compatibility of the four-legged friend must be carefully observed here. If the dog feels down with a tick collar or with a spot-on or even vomits, this is not the appropriate tick protection product.
Spot-ons are also not recommended if there are cats in the household. These are poisonous for the velvet paws and only through contact with one another can cause discomfort.
A tablet as tick protection for the dog
Greenlight for water rats and combat cuddles: The tablets against ticks have two advantages over spot-on preparations: First, the dog can go into the water immediately after administration without the effect of waning. So rain does not affect the effect either. Second, you can cuddle with your four-legged friend, as it is not used externally. The tablets are given to the dog like a treat and work for a specified period of time (usually four weeks).
Tick protection for the dog – conclusion
The variety of tick protection products makes it clear: There is no universal product on the market that is best for all dogs. The dog owner himself has to find out by observing which substances his own dog can tolerate and which also help. However, it does not work entirely without the human eye: To be on the safe side, a check after walks in nature is indispensable.
