Ticks are external parasites that feed on your dog’s blood, causing itching and discomfort. As they feed, they can cause excessive itching, leading to skin lesions and a generally unsightly appearance. But worry no more, as we will guide you through 10 simple and effective home remedies to get rid of dog ticks in the article below.
Read on to learn how to treat and protect your furry friend from skin lesions and irritation.
1 10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dog Ticks for Good
Treat Dog Ticks with Orange, Lemon, or Grapefruit Peels
Treat dog ticks with citrus fruits
A great way to treat dog ticks is by using orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels. It’s incredibly simple and effective, and the results will surely surprise you.
How to do it
Apple Cider Vinegar for Dog Tick Treatment
Create a natural tick repellent by mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, with a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Be careful not to spray it on your dog’s face. For added effectiveness, you can also mix apple cider vinegar into your dog’s food.
Salt as a Natural Tick Repellent
Salt has disinfectant properties, making it an effective treatment for dog ticks. Use a diluted salt water solution to wash your dog’s wounds and affected areas. You can also sprinkle salt in areas with a high concentration of ticks, as it will weaken and drive them away. Additionally, you can use salty water for your dog’s daily bath.
Use Camphor to Repel and Kill Dog Ticks
Treat dog ticks with camphor
Camphor contains Naphtalen, a substance that many insects, including dog ticks, find repulsive. This makes camphor an excellent choice for treating dog ticks.
How to do it
Dissolve camphor tablets in water and transfer the solution to a spray bottle. Directly spritz the solution onto your dog’s body, then bathe your dog with clean water. You can also use this solution to spritz around the house and your dog’s favorite spots to enhance its effectiveness.
Essential Oils to the Rescue
Treat dog ticks with essential oils
Essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, and grapefruit are highly effective in repelling dog ticks. Ticks will immediately avoid your dog upon detecting these scents.
How to do it
You can either spritz essential oils directly onto your dog’s body or in areas they frequent, such as carpets and corners of the house. Alternatively, you can use essential oil diffusers or small pouches and attach them to your dog’s collar.
Use Kerosene to Get Rid of Dog Ticks
The strong odor of kerosene will repel and drive away dog ticks. Apply kerosene to your dog’s skin, avoiding areas that your dog can lick, as well as the eyes and nose. You may need to trim your dog’s fur before application.
Use Borax to Kill Dog Ticks
This method is simple yet effective. Just grind borax into a fine powder and rub it onto your dog’s fur for about 5 minutes before bathing. Ticks detest the smell and stickiness of borax. Consistency is key—apply this treatment 2–3 times a week for best results.
Remove Dog Ticks with Tweezers
Remove dog ticks with tweezers
This method is highly effective but requires patience and precision.
What you’ll need
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1 pair of tweezers
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1 bottle of antiseptic solution for wound disinfection
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1 glass jar filled with 90% alcohol
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1 pair of rubber gloves
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Several cotton balls
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A small amount of antiseptic powder
How to remove dog ticks with tweezers
Use tweezers to remove ticks from your dog
Use Medicated Shampoo to Treat and Prevent Dog Ticks
Bathing your dog regularly (about every 2 days) with medicated shampoo designed to treat and prevent ticks is an effective way to boost your dog’s immune system and protect them from ticks.
Use Tick Spray for Dogs
Choose a tick spray that contains insecticides and regulates tick growth. Apply the spray to your dog’s fur in a well-ventilated area, avoiding the eyes. When spraying sensitive areas like the face, spray the product onto your gloved hand and gently rub it onto the desired area.
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Plant Tick-Repelling Herbs and Plants
Herbs and plants such as rosemary, thyme, mint, lavender, lemongrass, and citronella are excellent natural tick repellents. Plant these in your garden, front yard, balcony, or even in small pots indoors to keep ticks at bay while also adding a touch of greenery to your living space.
Keep Your Home and Surroundings Clean
To minimize the risk of tick infestations, it’s crucial to maintain a clean and tidy living environment for yourself and your dog. Pay special attention to areas with dense foliage, grass, and shade, as these are prime spots for ticks.
2 Easy Preventative Measures to Keep Your Dog Tick-Free
Follow these simple tips to protect your dog from ticks:
Proper Dog Grooming: Maintain your dog’s hygiene by bathing them regularly and using tick-repelling shampoos. Keep their fur well-groomed and trimmed to prevent excessive growth.
Effective preventative measures against dog ticks
Periodic Application of Tick Prevention Medication: Consult your veterinarian to determine the best tick prevention medication for your dog and apply it as directed.
Maintain a Clean Living Space: Regularly clean your home, especially hard-to-reach areas, floors, and your dog’s favorite spots, to prevent ticks from breeding and infesting your home.
Maintain a clean living environment
Tend to Your Garden: Ticks thrive in shady, damp areas and lush foliage. Keep your garden well-maintained by regularly trimming plants and planting tick-repelling herbs and plants like lemongrass and mint around your home.
3 Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Ticks
What Are Dog Ticks and Flea?
Dog ticks are parasitic insects with an oval shape
Dog ticks are parasitic insects with an oval shape, eight legs, and a size ranging from 1mm to 1cm. They feed on the blood of their hosts, which can include dogs, cats, and even humans.
Dog Fleas: These parasites have six legs, a hard and dry yellowish-brown exoskeleton, and a flat body shape. Fully grown fleas are about the size of a match head, making them difficult to spot and eliminate.
Life Cycle of Dog Ticks and Fleas
Dog ticks go through four stages of development: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and finally, adulthood. They attach themselves to the skin to feed on blood, and when full, they swell up and become more noticeable. A single female tick can lay up to 3,000–6,000 eggs on the ground.
What Harm Can Dog Ticks Cause?
Dog ticks can cause swelling and redness around the bite area
When dog ticks attach themselves to your dog’s skin, they insert their mouthparts and secrete a sticky substance to anchor themselves in place. As they feed, they can cause swelling and redness around the bite area. If left untreated, your dog may develop anemia from excessive blood loss. Some female dog ticks can also secrete toxins that cause paralysis.
Additionally, dog ticks can transmit various diseases, including:
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Lyme Disease – Symptoms include loss of appetite, depression, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain.
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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (transmissible to humans) – Symptoms include high fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic rash on the palms, soles, and other areas, appearing 2–5 days after the onset of fever.
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Skin Infections and Hair Loss – Ticks can cause skin irritation, leading to hair loss and intense itching.
Check out our guide on choosing the right shampoo for your dog to keep their coat healthy and tick-free!
With these simple home remedies for treating dog ticks, you can now keep your furry friend tick-free. Remember to maintain a clean living environment and regularly groom your dog to prevent tick infestations!
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