How To Prevent And Eliminate Dog Parasites

Last Updated on December 9, 2022 by Evan

Dogs suffer from parasites that can cause diseases that are lethal to them. Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms can cause discomfort to your pets. Thankfully, treatments and prevention measures are available to halt the breeding of parasites in the dog’s body. The following are some natural and synthetic ways to ensure your pet remains parasite-free.

Treatment

Use Safe Medications

Aside from fleas and ticks, mites are also common external parasites that you must eliminate immediately. They can cause mange to your dogs that make the fur fall off and causes highly itchy skin.  

Bring your dog to the vet for a thorough examination to identify the kind of mange your dog has. Knowing the type of mange gives your vet knowledge on how to treat it best. The vet will scrape a bit of skin and examine it under a microscope. They will recommend safe and effective medication for fleas, ticks, and mites similar to the Revolution brand used to control these parasites.

Today, mange can be treated using once-a-month products for tick and flea control called isoxazoline. They can also work for mites, aside from how they can control ticks and fleas. The oral medication can relieve your dogs after a few days, easing the itch while killing off the mites. Sometimes steroid drugs are added, such as prednisone. The vet may include antibiotics in the treatment of skin infections.

Feed Your Dog These Natural Foods

You might worry that commercial treatments can cause adverse effects. There’s no need to worry because they are just as safe for dogs. But in case your pet is sensitive to some form of medication, natural foods can remove intestinal worms from your pet’s gut through the help of how the digestive tract works. But before you do, it’s best to seek the advice of your vet to find the best treatment appropriate for them.  

Parasites and worms require specific conditions to breed. Giving your dogs apple cider vinegar can boost their intestine’s alkaline levels. The vinegar makes the environment turn inhospitable. Add ¼ to one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to their daily drinking water. You can definitely do this treatment for various dog breeds, provided that your vet agrees. 

Coarsely chopped carrots can help remove the parasites by scraping the walls of the intestines as they are being digested. Turmeric, a superfood with anti-inflammatory properties, not only eliminates worms but can also repair damage. Create a turmeric paste with coconut oil and feed it to your pet. Chamomile tinctures can get rid of whipworms and roundworms. Do give them a dose of 0.25ml to 0.50ml per every 20 lbs. for two weeks.

Rub Citrus On Your Dog’s Skin 

Fleas are pests that cause skin problems. Itching and redness are signs that your dogs have fleas. Citrus is a known repellant of fleas, and you can use it to rub onto the dogs’ fur. Remember that only the juice from citrus fruits is safe for the animals.  

Oil extracts from citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges are unsafe for cats and dogs. It is called limonene and is derived from the rinds of citrus fruits. While they are effective against insects, they can irritate the skin. Limonene is also found in insect sprays, home fragrances, topicals, and cleaning products.  

Prevention

Limit Outdoor Exposure

Heartworms in dogs spread in the body through mosquitoes. The heartworm larvae spread in the bodies of dogs and grow into adulthood. Dogs can live with hundreds of heartworms as they cause damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries. Heartworm medicine can be given to dogs and should be administered early. There are other proper prevention measures you can do as well.  

Since heartworms are spread through flying pests, you can begin limiting your dog from mosquito exposure. Mosquitoes are active during sunrise and nightfall, so you should reduce the number of times you take your dog out. You can also look for areas in the home with stagnant water containers. Remove them since they are breeding areas for mosquitoes. It’s important to keep working with the vet to ensure your pet’s safety.

Use Dewormers

There are various signs that dogs with worms can exhibit. They can get diarrhea that sometimes has blood, bloated bellies, weight loss, vomiting, and worm segments. Dewormers prescribed by your veterinarian can help keep them off your dog. Your vet still knows the best ones since there are different parasites. Keep in mind that no universal deworming treatment works for every type of worm.

Your vet will also recommend monthly commercial dewormers to keep the dogs protected against intestinal and heartworms. Monthly medication can keep worms off since most parasites last up to four weeks. These medications are also safe for pregnant dogs, preventing parasites from transferring to the puppies. When they have finished weaning, the vet can start them on a prevention program.

Use Yearly Flea And Tick Treatment

Ticks and fleas are active during summer, especially when temperatures reach between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s best to ask your vet for an annual flea and tick commercial product. They can sometimes last until winter. Flea and tick products can protect your pets long-term, and your vet can find the right one for your dog. The administration is essential, and you should follow the instructions given by the vet.  

Aside from medication, you can also make changes at home, such as deep-cleaning the house and the backyard. Flea eggs can endure the winter, and once they hatch, you could look at a daily breeding rate of 100 a day. Keep a cleaning routine for your dog’s bed, curtains, carpets, and couches. Also, clean the areas where your dog frequents.  

Keep the backyard tidy by mowing the lawn removing clippings, and raking leaves. Fleas can also breed among yard residue. Remove tall grass and treat your property with anti-tick and flea chemicals if you live in a humid and wooded area. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure safe usage.

In Conclusion 

Intestinal, heartworms, and exterior parasites like ticks and fleas can do a lot of damage to your dog’s health. They can pick up these parasites from outdoors while walking, exercising, or being near infected animals. Keep them safe and healthy by regularly bringing your dog to the vet for examination and medication. You can also take various measures at home to keep certain parasites away from your dog.