Ticks cause various health problems for canines. The constant scratching of bloodsuckers will cause wounds and skin infections. When ticks are not successfully removed or left on your pet for too long, serious illnesses can occur. Serious tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, hepatazoonosis, and bartonellosis. So when you see your dog scratching uncomfortably, it’s ideal to check for ticks right away just in case.

Here are 5 habits dog owners should adopt to prevent and eliminate ticks on dogs:

Bathe your dog regularly

Bathing your dog regularly not only keeps him well-groomed, but also reduces the chances of external parasites. Using specially formulated shampoos that contain medicated ingredients is an easy and inexpensive way to kill ticks on contact. Even if your pet does not have parasites, it is ideal to use this type of shampoo, especially during peak tick season.

Treat fleas and ticks immediately

The sight of even a parasite must be attended to immediately. The first step that dog owners usually take is to resort to specific treatments that can be purchased without a prescription. Of course, it is best to seek the advice of your vet first to ensure that he is using a good quality medication at the correct dosage. The same goes for oral medication. Be sure to read labels carefully and follow the directions on the medication.

Use a tick collar

Wearing a tick collar, even if your pup is flea and tick free, is an added preventative measure to keep parasites at bay. Be careful when choosing a collar and watch to see if your pet develops an allergic reaction to it or to the chemicals it contains.

Keep your pet indoors during tick season

To help prevent exposure to external parasites, know when tick season is, and then keep your dog indoors. While you would still need to go for a walk every day, be sure to check on him thoroughly once you’re home, especially if he’s passing through the grass.

Keep your lawn trimmed

Keeping the house clean and trimming bushes, grass and trees regularly will help with tick infestation. If they don’t have a place to live and breed close to your home, your dog is less likely to be affected.

Make these 5 habits a part of your dog’s grooming routine to help keep ticks and fleas away!