Beat the Pet’s Pests: Controlling Tick and Flea

(SOURCE: http://blog.chron.com/apetschro
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Every dog and every dog parents shares one common problem: getting rid of ticks and fleas. These tiny crawlers and leapers ironically, can be the biggest problem that any dog owner might encounter. Their sizes don’t matter because they can definitely make your dog’s life miserable, but it’s up to the dog parents to deal with them as quick and as soon as possible.

But before getting into the prevention and control, dog owners must first understand why they should control it in the first place. For one, tick and flea bites are itchy and dogs couldn’t stand it. They would scratch it non-stop until they’re skin gets scraped and bleed.

(SOURCE: http://www.atomicpestcontrol.com/wp
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The real danger however is what these creepy pests infect the dogs with. These creatures can cause allergies, lyme disease (infection caused by spirochete bacteria that results to inflamed joints, depression, lack of appetite, lameness and kidney damage), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (caused by a bacteria-like microorganism that attacks like a virus which results to discolored spots on skin, lethargy, anorexia, blood in urine and ataxia among others) , ehrlichiosis (bacteria-infection that results to anemia, fever and bleeding among others) and even worms. The even worse news is that these diseases can be transmitted to humans. So ticks and fleas are really not just the dog’s problem but the whole family’s too.

Good news is, ticks and fleas are easy to control with so many available products but what a dog owner should do is be consistent in treating the dog. There are plenty of things a dog owner can use like anti-tick and flea shampoo and soap. It is also recommended that dogs should be applied spot-on treatment which lasts longer than shampoos and soaps. Whatever it is that you decide to use, make sure to follow the product’s instructions on application and frequency of use. Being consistent helps a lot in not only killing and repelling adult ticks and fleas but also making sure that their eggs would be exterminated as well. Just be sure to check out the product’s review so you will be sure that it is mild enough for your dogs. You are only killing the parasite and not your dog.

(SOURCE: http://www.housefordogs.com/wp-content/
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Tick and flea treatment doesn’t end there though. Controlling the pests on the dog is just the first step. The crucial step is to disinfect your whole house. These tiny creatures can lay eggs all around your house and hide themselves there until such time that it’s not only the dog that’s getting pestered… your whole family shall join the caravan too.

The best thing is to wash and disinfect any rags or carpets in the house. These little pests like to hide in small holes and corners, so with the use of disinfectant products, make sure you clean these areas thoroughly.
A few years ago, I had the same problem too with my dogs. What I did was I bathe my dogs with anti-tick and flea soap. Then I put on a little powder on them which doesn’t only kill the adult pests but also the eggs (which happens to be a deodorizer as well – my dogs smelled so great with it). Then we had a general cleaning and I put on some powder on every corner, carpets, rags I could find. And in just three days, my dogs stopped scratching and our home smells great too!