4 Simple Steps to Protect Your Pet From Ticks

Check your pet's fur regularly for ticks. Daily is ideal, but it's most important when your pet has been in 'danger areas' like long grass or wooded areas.

You can feel for ticks with your fingers, but a brush can make it easier. Brush against the direction of their fur growth as well as with it to see any ticks lurking on their skin.

You're looking for a small lump (1mm-1cm long) that can be cream-coloured to dark brown depending on how long it's been attached. Pay extra attention around the ears, eyes, chin, muzzle, and between their paw pads and toes.

Incorrect tick removal can leave the tick's mouth parts embedded in your pet's skin, so it's important to use to the right tool.

A Tick Twister® tick removal tool is one of the best options to remove ticks quickly, painlessly, and most importantly safely. The claw end hooks around the tick without putting pressure on its body.

Slot the tool around the tick from the side of its body, then lift the tool lightly and twist it in the same direction until the tick is removed. Usually 2-3 full rotations is enough. You can put the tick in a tissue and flush it, or keep it in a sealed bag in the freezer in case it's needed later for identification.

Once the tick is out and disposed of, wash your hands thoroughly. Next, it's important to clean the tick bite to prevent bacteria or infection spreading.

We recommend Leucillin, the most powerful antiseptic solution on the market. It kills germs and sanitises skin without stinging - you can even use it around your pet's eyes! Spray it liberally directly onto the bite area. 

If you don't have any Leucillin, you can also use soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Keep a close eye on your dog or cat for any symptoms including a bulls-eye rash, fever, weakness or lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea, and more.

Prevention is better than the cure! It takes 48 hours or sometimes much less for a tick to transmit diseases to your pet. Tick borne diseases can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and symptoms are often slow to appear. 

There are many options for tick prevention, from tick repellent sprays to tick-killing tablets. These options often aren't suitable for pets who are pregnant, lactating, or have health conditions. Tick treatments for dogs can be also poisonous (even fatal) to cats in your home. 

Try switching up your pet shampoo instead for a gentler approach. NanoSanitas™ SILVER LINE shampoos are made with silver nanoparticles that help keep ticks and fleas at bay. The silver is combined with natural extracts and oils to make their shampoos safe for sensitive skin. They also have a leave-in product, if you don't fancy wrangling your cat into the bath!