How to Determine if Your Dog has Ticks

Ticks and dogs just don't mix. You want to keep your dog from getting ticks, especially if you are out in tick infested areas the best you know how. But sometimes you find that life isn't as easy as you want it to be and you need to determine if ticks are on your pet. Here's the steps to finding out if there might be a tick on your dog.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Watch to see how much energy your dog has. Usually a tick will not be noticed, at first. Then if your dog has an infection from the tick, you will see a decrease in energy and ambition.

2. If you see that your dog is not hungry and plain out refuses to eat, consider looking for ticks immediately. This is one classic symptom of an ill animal.

3. If your dog has an unexplained fever, then you may want to start searching the animal's body for ticks. This is one serious symptom of a tick that will be noticeable after a weeks time.

4. Skin rashes, for no apparent reason is another step to be watching for. These rashes will usually be tender to the touch and require the dog owners attention before they become hot spots for the animal.

5. If uncontrollable itching is occurring, then you need to find out if ticks are on your dogs body. There are several reasons for itching - dry skin, parasite and allergic reactions, yet if you have been in or live in a tick area, check for ticks immediately.