Dog ticks: Where do dog ticks come from?

Dog ticks, these creepy blood suckers get under everyone’s skin, sucking up
anyone they can while causing irritation and illness in their victim.
Ticks spend most of their lives with their mouths buried inside a mammal’s
flesh, feeding on their blood. Although ticks are very small, they expand
to about 50 times their normal size after they have finished feeding. Dog
ticks are also responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever and
Lyme disease.

Fortunately, there are several ways to keep ticks from feeding on your pet.
Below are seven helpful suggestions to keep ticks at bay:

1. Before they get into their victims, ticks like to stay several feet off
the ground on top of vegetation along roadsides and paths. They patiently
remain there waiting for your dog to come along. In order to give the
ticks fewer chances to hop and attach themselves to your dog, always keep
your grass and weeds trimmed to below ankle height.

2. Generally, mature ticks look for large victims, such as your dog. On
the other hand, younger ticks usually feed on mice and other rodents until
they are old enough to go after bigger prey. To help eliminate both old
ticks as well as young ticks, make sure your yard is uninviting to rodents.
Secure your trash cans with strong lids and take out any rock piles and
brushy cover.

3. When hiking with your pet, stay on the trails and make sure that your
pet remains with you. Avoid wooded areas and long grasses where ticks are
waiting.

4. Before going to an area where ticks are standing by, protect your pet’s
coat by spraying it with insecticides that can kill ticks on contact.
Consult with your vet before you administer the insecticide.

5. If you happen to see ticks, lightly spray your dog with a tick
insecticide and then comb his coat using a fine-toothed comb. There are
some pet stores that sell combs which are used specifically for ticks.
They are also great for catching fleas.

6. Sometimes you can actually see the tick while it’s feeding on your dog.
In this case, quickly remove the tick. The longer for the tick to feed on
your dog, the more likely it will transmit Lyme disease and other types of
illness.

7. When removing the tick, never use a match or anything that can burn
your dog. Making the tick back out using fire does not work and could only
cause harm on you and your pet. The most effective way of removing a tick
is by using a pair of tweezers and aiming for the tick’s head, while gently
pulling it out. This way, the tick comes out in one piece and leaves no
mess on your pet. For additional protection after removing the tick, rub
the infected area with an antibiotic ointment or topical antiseptic.