How to Kill Animal Ticks
Ticks are tiny parasites that are closely related to spiders. They feed by sucking blood, and it is common to find them on dogs, cats and even humans. Several species of tick exist, and they are more than a nuisance. They can carry and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Dogs are also at risk for tick paralysis. Several methods can kill and control ticks, but you'll need to experiment to find the one that works best for you and your pet.
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Things You'll Need
- Shampoo
- Water
- Flea dip
- Flea and tick spray
- Flea collar
- Chemical topical repellent
- Anti-tick lawn spray
Instructions
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Topical Treatments
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1
Shampoo your dog or cat, ensuring that you clean areas such as the head and neck, ears, genitals and between the toes. Ticks easily can hide in these areas.
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2
Make a flea dip by mixing a concentrated powder with warm water. Several brands of flea dip are commercially available with tick-killing agents such as pyrethrin.
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3
Sponge or pour the flea dip on your pet, getting all of the hard-to-reach areas. If possible, do not rinse off the dip. Using a leave-in dip will allow more of the tick-killing agent to stay on the animal, boosting the length of the dip's effectiveness. Dip every couple of weeks to keep your pet tick-free.
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4
Spray your pet in between dips with an anti-tick spray. Alcohol-based ones seem to be the most effective, but water-based sprays are available as well.
Collars
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Ask your veterinarian to recommend an appropriate flea and tick collar for your pet. These collars are worn along with the pet's regular collar, and most kill both types of parasites.
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Buy a collar that is the right size for your pet. Flea and tick collars are available in several sizes, though they also are adjustable so that any excess material can be clipped. Choose one with flea and tick protection that lasts up to six months.
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Choose a collar made of natural ingredients such as pyrethrins. Avoid collars that contain carbomates, which can cause health problems. Generally, collars with natural ingredients are safer in the event that puppies chew on them while playing together.
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Place the collar around your pet's neck and buckle it. Clip off the excess length close to the buckle so that your pet won't be able to chew it.
Chemical Treatments
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Treat your pet with a topical chemical treatment. Frontline and Advantage are two common brands of topical chemical repellents that can be applied to the skin between your pet's shoulder blades. The liquid spreads out over the skin and protects pets like a full-body chemical flea collar.
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Spray your lawn with a chemical spray formulated to kill ticks. You may need to do this every week or 10 days in order to maintain a tick-free environment.
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Contact a professional exterminator if you have a large yard or do not want to spray your lawn yourself.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a mild, gentle shampoo that won't dry your pet's skin. Your veterinarian can point you toward some appropriate brands.
Some flea collars are made with breakaway mechanisms. This will keep your pet from choking if the collar gets caught on something.
Though ticks can transmit disease to both humans and pets, you cannot get a tick-borne disease from your pet.
If you remove a tick that is already on your pet, kill it by dropping it in alcohol. Do not squash it, as this can spread disease.
Topical chemical repellents should not be used in conjunction with other treatments, like dips or flea collars. This could be dangerous for your pet.
Some collars should not be used on kittens and puppies. Read the package carefully, and if you are still in doubt, talk to your veterinarian.
If you use a chemical spray to kill ticks on your lawn, allow it to dry before letting pets outside. Pets may absorb dangerous chemicals through the pads on their feet or by rolling in the grass.
Never use cat products on dogs or vice versa. This can cause health issues.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by cathy stancil from Fotolia.com
