What You Need to Know About Ticks

As pet owners, we all want to make sure that our furry friends stay healthy and can happily run around forests and lawns during summertime without the fear of ticks. Ticks are small, only a few millimeters long parasites that thrive in shady grasses and bushes. Previously ticks were found in the south and coastal regions of Finland, but nowadays ticks have also spread to other parts of Finland.

Ticks are usually active from early spring to late fall, and during this period it’s wise to protect pets from ticks. Ticks feed on your pets’ blood and thus seek their way to your pets’ skin. The tick bites and sucks blood with its suction tube. Usually, a tick's bite is not dangerous, but in some cases, a ticks can spread diseases with their bite, e.g., borreliosis.

The various tick products available are designed to protect against ticks and prevent bacterial infections. Ticks can cause borreliosis infection and the slightly rarer anaplasmosis in both dogs and cats.

How to Prevent Tick Bite?

Best Friend Electronic Tick Repellent is suitable for all dogs and cats and is a non-toxic way to repel ticks. The electronic tick repellent emits ultrasound, which disturbs the sense sensors of the ticks, and drives them away. It is recommended, that the pet be checked for ticks every time after spending time outdoors, at least once a day.

 

How to Remove Tick from Your Pet?

Ticks prefer to attach behind the ears of cats and dogs, on the neck, armpits or on the head area, but they can also attach elsewhere. If you notice a tick, remove it immediately with Best Friend Tick tick remover. Carefully remove the tick using the instructions that came with the tick remover. Do not remove the tick with your fingers, as the tick can then "vomit" its intestinal contents into the bite wound, which makes it possible to catch diseases caused by the tick. By using a tick remover, you prevent parts of the tick from remaining in the bite wound, and you prevent the wound site from becoming infected. Once you have removed the tick, dispose of the tick according to recommendations by burning the tick. Disinfect the skin area where the tick was removed, and the tools used to remove the tick.

Ticks on Cats

The symptoms of a tick bite can vary, and they can be vague, in which case the tick bite may go unnoticed. Symptoms of diseases caused by ticks can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, pain or tenderness, lameness, or painful sores on the body. If you suspect a tick infection or if your cat otherwise feels unwell, always contact your veterinarian.

Ticks on Dogs

Ticks are a common problem among dogs, and their bites can be dangerous to a dog's health. Ticks can spread many diseases, including borreliosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.

Here are some tips to help protect your dog from ticks:

1. Check your dog regularly for ticks. Ticks can hide in the dog's fur, so it is important to carefully examine the dog's ears, armpits, stomach, and groin areas. You can also protect your dog's neck, chest, and ears with the Best Friend Repeltec scarf or tube scarf which have insect protection treatment in them.
2. Use tick repellants. Ask your vet which tick repellent is best for your dog. These products are available in different forms such as drops, collars, or sprays.
3. If you can choose the length of your dog's fur during the active period of the ticks, you should keep the dog's fur short. Short fur makes it easier to spot and remove ticks.
4. Avoid walking in tall grass or areas known to have a lot of ticks.
5. Remove ticks immediately when you notice them on your dog's fur. Use tick removers or a pick and pull the tick out slowly and steadily, avoiding squeezing. Do not use alcohol, vaseline or other substances to remove ticks.
6. Monitor your dog's behavior and health. If you notice anything unusual in your dog, such as fever, loss of appetite, vomiting or loose stools, contact your veterinarian.