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Ticks are not always easy to see, which is why regular, thorough checks are necessary. Ticks are best detected by feeling through your dog or cat’s fur, paying special attention to the soft crease areas on the underside of their body. If your pet has a tick, you’ll find a round lump that’s grey, black or brown in colour. Larger ticks are typically grey, while the smaller ones are normally black or brown.
It's worth noting that ticks are particularly active during damp weather.
Select the appropriate size tick twister (medium to large ticks will require a large tick twister, while small to medium ones can be removed with the smaller size) and slide it under the tick as far as you can. This will ensure the tick is sitting well within the groove.
Now, rotate the twister by rolling it between your thumb and finger, making sure the tick remains sitting firmly in the groove. Try and rotate the twister for at least a full rotation and give it a gentle pull away from your pet. The tick should come away trapped in the twister.
The twisting motion is very important as it will ensure the tick comes out cleanly. Simply pulling the tick out may cause its head to remain lodged in your pet’s skin. This will usually be pushed out by the skin over time but could become infected if your pet scratches at the area.
Some dogs are easier than others to handle and you may need to ask someone to gently assist you with tick removal. During tick removal, be sure to soothe your pet and give them plenty of praise. Once finished, show your pet what you removed from them to explain your actions. Follow this up by giving them plenty of their favourite treats.
Bathing your pet with a high-quality shampoo can help to repel ticks and other nasties. We recommend Serendipity Herbal’s neem and coconut pet shampoo. We stock a wide range of herbal shampoos that can help, so please feel free to ask our experienced team for advice on the best option for your pet.
Billy No Mates is a natural herbal supplement mix that repels ticks, fleas and mites. When mixed into your dog’s food every day, it helps to protect them from the inside out. This product is also available as a tincture, which is ideal for cats.
Before you walk your dog, give them a quick, light spray over their whole body (on top and underneath) with Serendipity Herbal’s ‘Neem Shield’ pet spray. This is a really effectively repellent that discourages ticks from attaching themselves to your pet. You can even use this product as protection for yourself, by spraying your feet and the bottom of your trousers before walking in areas of woodland or long grass.
For more information and advice about keeping your pet safe from ticks, please feel free to get in touch with our knowledgeable team or pop into one of our Dorset raw pet food shops to have a chat with us.