Ticks are blood feeding external parasites that can carry diseases that can harm you and your pet. Diseases such as Lyme Disease are transmitted when the tick injects saliva into their host whilst feeding. To find out more about Lyme Disease, the symptoms and treatment, check out the Lyme Disease Action website.
They have a life cycle that has 4 different stages. Starting with the egg, 6 legged larva, 8 legged nymph and the adult tick. This blog post aims to offer some advice as well as some useful products to help you and your pet stay healthy and safe from ticks.
Ticks are arachnids, more closely related to spiders than to insects. A fully fed tick can be 3-10 times the size of an unfed tick.
Although pet owners have to consider ticks all year round it is in the summer that they are most active. They thrive in long vegetation waiting for passing animals, including humans, to attach themselves to. Ticks will then feed on the animal’s blood before dropping off. Contained within their saliva is an anaesthetic so the host animal will not feel the bite!
The Dartmoor National Park Authority has some very good preventative measures that can be adopted by dog walkers and visitors. They suggest:
- Wearing covered shoes and long trousers tucked into your socks
- Wearing light coloured clothing so a tick can be more easily seen.
- Avoid a ticks favourite place by walking in the centre of paths and check yourself after sitting or leaning on trees.
- Use a light coloured picnic blanket and check the underneath afterwards
- Check your pets after they come home.
If a tick is found early removal is critical in reducing the risk of infection. Removal should be done carefully to prevent leaving parts of the tick behind. Here at Not Just Pets we have a range of products that will give you confidence in removing and preventing ticks.
The Ancol Tick Tool is a helpful tick remover that can be kept in your bag or backpack and is available for cats and dogs (in pink and blue) This tool fits over the tick and you can pull it out safely. Available in store and online priced at £2.30
Another great tick remover is the O’Tom Tick Twister which is shaped like a hook. It is supplied in two sizes to ensure you can remove ticks easily. Place the hook around the tick and twist slowly until the tick is released and safely remove from your pet. This design ensures that the tick is not squashed when removed which can lead to harmful saliva passing into the host animal. Available in store and online priced at £4.32
To help avoid picking up ticks when out and about Biospotix is an all natural, non-chemical based product that comes in a spot-on treatment for both cats and dogs. You place the treatment on the back of your pets neck. This repellent works by breaking the tick’s respiratory system. 100% safe for humans and pets. Can be used on animals older that 3 months and can last up to 4 weeks. Available online and in store each pack contains 5 pipettes and is priced at £10.00
The Tickless Ultrasonic Tick and Flea Repeller is a small electronic device. Shaped in the form of a pendant that can be placed on your pet’s collar. This device emits ultrasonic impulses to rid pets of fleas and ticks. A non toxic, chemical free way to protect yourself and your pet from ticks. Available in store and online priced at £22.99
Finding and removing any ticks safely will reduce the chance of illness occurring. Here at Not Just Pets we hope to help any pet owner with any concerns. Your vet will also be able to give you any advice you need to help you.
If you have any great tips or advice about ticks please contact us and let us know! We look forward to connecting with you.
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