How to minimize or prevent ticks in a dog or pet?

M. the only thing that keeps ticks off my dog is a tick collar. The problem is, that small children (toddlers) and pregnant woman cannot touch the collar. YOu could put it on the dog when not around the children and then take it off when around the children.
An all natural option is to plant lavendar around the perimeter of your property that will keep the mice, moles and deer that carry the ticks out of your yard.
And finally if you have big prperty buy a couple of ginuea hens (or chickens) let them loose in your yard; they eat the ticks- my dad does this for his dogs and they are pretty good pets too.
Good luck!

Hi M.,
I lived in the country for many years, and had no problems with ticks on my dogs. I moved into town for a few years(which I hated), but now we are back in the country and ticks are a serious problem now. Our dogs and cat get them all the time. My mom has a problem with her dog too. She didn't used to, until the last couple years either. Anyhow I use frontline and applied it to the skin as directed and my one dog still got ticks. My friend (who also lives in the country has a dog that has lime's disease due to having ticks. She now swears by using hydrated lime on her lawn. I've never used it myself, but I assume you can just put it in a spreader and spread it all over your yard. I do know that you have to do this in the spring time, though. I understand that it is not harmful to pets or children.

Where does your dog go to find these ticks ? We live in the country, on 10 acres, and my dogs have never come home with ticks. Yes, we do frontline, but we've NEVER had the dogs come in with ticks.

My understanding is that ticks like to hang out in areas of tall grass -- and if the dogs are running off into the tall grass, they are fair game. We have an invisible fence that contains our dogs in the 3-4 acres of land we mow. We don't have to worry about the road, the bikers who travel down it in the summer, and I've never seen a tick on either of our dogs. And, yes, the dogs cavort, romp, chase each other, scratch their backs on the grass, and get lots of exercise.

Hi M.,
Talk to your vet about the vaccination they have for ticks. My father has 3 dogs and lives in Western PA and the tick vaccination is standard out their way.

Good luck!

My vet switched my dog to revolution. My dog is 13 years old. She hasn't had any side effects. I think your dog will be ok switching to another medicine.

You mentioned living in the country and I assume there's woods and fields around you but my suggestion may still sound extreme...but gauranteed. Get a couple chickens and let them roam a few hours a day. They are cheap and they eat ticks and other bugs. Growing up at my Grandparents house ticks were a daily occurance for me. Once my grandparents started raising chickens the ticks disappeared. I mean...completely! Nobody has had a tick on them in years. So it may be a bit extreme but it will work ;)

One thing u can try to do is apply it every 3 weeks instead of every 4 weeks. I've called Merial (maker of Frontline) & they said this is ok. U can try a different product. One RECOMMENDED by a vet. ie. Vectra 3D made by Summit Vet pharmacy. Some of the other makers of F/T products are claiming that the ticks are becoming resistant to the Frontline. It's quite possible. I do not recommend any Hartz or Walmart/Kmart brand etc. of F/T product. I have seen animals coming in w/ reactions when using these products. I work at a vet hosp as a nurse/technician. Clients claim using garlic (powder or pill form)helps w/ repelling. There's no scientific research that I know of that supports this, but if it works.... Remember w/ the frontline, don't bathe, then apply. Give at least 2 days to dry out, then apply, wait at least 2 days again before having contact w/ water again. U need to let the product work thru the skin. Also, just don't apply between the shoulder blades. Large breed dogs, apply between shoulder blades, middle of back, then the rump area. With kids, apply at night so they don't have contact with the dogs until morning. Hope some of this info helps! Good luck!

A few years ago I switched my dog from Frontline to Advantage. We also live in the country and ticks are a real problem. The Advantage works on fleas and ticks so was much better. He did not seem bothered by the change at all though he was only a few years old at the time. There are some sprays, I have one that is all natural and shouldn't hurt the family. You can get it at a pet store or even Target and just spray it on them. Maybe the natural ingredients won't cause a reaction for your dogs.

I would talk to your vet about other options. As for the tick bits, only 40% of Lyme disease tick bites develop the bulls eye rash. If his doctor hasn't already done so, ask for a Lyme test to be sure he hasn't been exposed to it. Treatment with antibiotics soon after infection usually results in full recovery. If it goes untreated for several months, it can cause persistent, and some times permanent, problems. Best of luck.

I now that garlic is good for fleas. Not sure about ticks. U can find it in your local pet store or at a health food store. Also check your local vet maybe they might know of something that is more natrul.