Non-Toxic Ways To Protect Your Dog From Ticks

If you like to keep toxins out of your life and use natural products, you can also use non-toxic products to protect your dog from ticks. Here are a few natural ways you can protect your dog from ticks this year.

Dietary Methods

You can help protect your dog from ticks by changing up the food that you give your dog.  The three natural ingredients below will change how your dog's blood tastes and smells. This change in your dog's blood will make them an unappealing meal for ticks. 

  • Garlic: Just like with humans, garlic can make your dog's blood unappealing to ticks. Your dog's skin will let off a distinct smell if you add a little garlic to their diet. However, garlic also contains some elements that are not great for your dog, such as disulfides and sulfides. This is a treatment that should only be used occasionally when ticks are the most prevalent in your area.
  • Yeast: Brewer's yeast is another great, natural way to repel ticks is by adding brewer's yeast powder or tablets to your dog's food. It makes their blood acidic, which is not something that ticks enjoy. This natural remedy also does not have any harmful side effects for your dog, and can be used throughout the year to protect your dog from ticks.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Just like brewer's yeast, apple cider vinegar can make your dog's blood more acidic. When you fill up your dog's water bowl, just put a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in their dish. This will protect your dog from ticks and will not have a negative impact on your dog's health.

Topical Methods

There are also natural topical ways you can keep ticks away from your dog. Here are a few topical methods that you can use to protect your dog:

  • Herbal Powders & Sprays: You can purchase herbal powders and sprays from your local pet store. These powders and sprays use only natural ingredients to keep ticks away from your dog. You will have to apply these powders or sprays directly to your dog's coat to protect them.
  • Herbal Collar: Instead of putting a tick collar full of chemicals around your dog's neck, you can make your own herbal collar. Take either a rope or web collar, and put multiple drops of eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, lavender, citronella, or geranium onto the collar and  allow it to absorb into the material. You can purchase these essential oils at a natural health food store. You also don't need to use all the essential oils listed above, one or two will do the trick. Put the collar on your dog to keep the ticks away. You'll want to apply additional essential oils to the collar on a weekly basis in order to effectively keep the ticks away from your dog.

Before you change your dog's diet or use any of the natural tick remedies above, be sure to discuss the idea with your vet. Your vet will be able to let you know if you should refrain from trying any of the methods above due to your dog's specific medical history. For more information, contact companies like Daily Wag.


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