Keeping Ticks Off Your Pet Naturally

The best way to keep ticks off your pet is to regularly inspect your pet whenever he or she comes in from outdoors, and remove any ticks you might find. Flea combs are ineffective against fleas, but can be used to help remove ticks if you have a short haired dog. Flea combs are not practical for use on large hairy dogs. Wash your pet’s bed frequently. You might also want to take a look at our post on keeping ticks out of your yard.

Essential oils can be used to repel and in come cases kill ticks (and fleas as well). When choosing an essential oil, be sure to choose 100% pure. Cheaper synthetic versions may have the same aroma, but they will not have the same effect as a pure high grade essential oil.

Important note:

These essential oil solutions should only be used on dogs (or humans). If your dog is elderly, ill, prone to allergies, pregnant, or nursing puppies, please consult your veterinarian before using any of the suggested essential oils. Also, please remember, just because it is safe for a dog, does not mean it is safe for your cat. Do not use any essential oil on a cat without thoroughly researching and making sure it is safe.

Oil Blends:

Aromatherapy oils, like basil, lemon, cinnamon, cedar, lavender, and pennyroyal are the natural repellent for ticks. Mix one drop each of the three oils chosen and pure almond oil. Stir it well, and soak a cloth in it. Wrap this cloth on your pet.

Citrus:

Citrus is abundantly found in oranges and lemon. All you need to do is to prepare natural repellent oil from these citrus fruits. Take out peels of lemon or orange and boil them. Let it cool down naturally. Apply it on the affected area of pets.

You can also add juice of lemon or orange in a cup of water. Allow it to boil for some time. In the solution, add 5-15 drops of lemongrass oil. Shake it well and let it cool down. Apply it gently on the affected area.

Oranges are rich in citric acid which is a natural tick repellent.. Squeeze out some juice from 1-2 oranges. Apply it on pet’s body with the help of a cotton ball. You can also apply some orange oil on the affected area.

Rose Geranium:

One of the most popular tick repellents is rose geranium essential oil. Add 20 drops of rose geranium essential oil in three tablespoons of almond oil. Mix it well and apply a few drops on your pet’s fur, especially around the collar.

Neem Oil:

Neem oil is the most common oil, preferred for discouraging ticks from attaching to your pet. The anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of neem oil are meant to fight against ticks. All you are required to do is to pour a few drops of neem oil on your palm and gently rub it on.

Dogs with sensitive skin can also be treated with neem oil by diluting it. For diluting, you have to mix neem oil with any light carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil. Pour a little quantity of mixed oil on palm and rub it gently on pet, covering the affected area.

You can also prepare a spray with the help of organic neem oil. You have to mix ½ ounce of organic neem oil with ½ or ¼ ounce of mild detergent or soap. Stir it well and add this solution to two cups of water. If you want a stronger solution, mix 2 ml soap with two cups of water. Then, add 5 ml neem oil to it. Fill it in a spray bottle and use it immediately.

Neem oil is also helpful in removing ticks from humans. Just apply a few drops of neem oil gently on the skin, especially covering the affected area. You will then need to manually remove the tick.

Note– Use the spray immediately as it can last maximum for 8 hours.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be a beneficial remedy. You just have to prepare a spray with the help of apple cider vinegar. Pour 8 ounce of apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Add 4 ounce of warm water in it. Stir it well adding half teaspoon each of salt and baking soda. Fill the solution in a spray bottle and shake it well before use.

You can also use apple cider vinegar with lavender oil. Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water. Add 15 drops of lavender oil in it. Mix it well and apply it on your pet’s fur.

It can also be used with neem oil. Take 500 ml water and add 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to it. Stir the mixture well adding two tablespoons of neem oil. Apply this solution on dogs to kill ticks. You can also spray this mixture on curtains, walls, and carpets.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural tick repellent. Instead of using alcohol on pet, use witch hazel. Just mix witch hazel and lemon eucalyptus oil in 10:1 ratio, stir the solution well and fill it in a spray bottle. Spray it on your pet to kill or repel ticks.

You can also prepare a spray by pouring 8 ounce of distilled water in a bottle. Add half teaspoon of vegetable glycerin and 30-40 drops of essential oil in it. Add enough witch hazel to fill the bottle. Shake it well and use to kill ticks and fleas or bugs, present in bed, curtains, mattress, etc.

Lemon Juice

The citrus acid, present in lemon, helps in removing ticks naturally. You just have to use a fresh lemon against ticks. Squeeze out some fresh lemon juice directly on ticks or affected area of pet. (Note: you will still have to remove the tick manually).

You can also prepare a spray with ingredients, like lemon juice, peppermint oil, and citrus oil. Mix all the substances equally and spray it on required places.

You can also prepare a disinfectant solution for bathing your pet, with the help of lemon juice. Squeeze out the juice of lemon in a cup of water. Also add peels and pulp in the water. Put it on simmer for a few hours. Pour this solution in regular bath water.

You can slice a lemon and put it in a bowl of boiling water. Leave it overnight. Dip a sponge in the solution and apply it on troubling area of your pet.

Cedar Oil Spray

To get rid of ticks, use a cedar oil spray. Cedar oil acts as a repellent to harmful ticks. Use cedar oil spray, once in a day. Apply it directly on pet’s ears, collar, and tummy area.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oils are rich in sulfur, which acts as a natural repellent for ticks. You have to mix two teaspoons of vegetable oil with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Add one teaspoon of dish washing liquid. Stir the mixture well. Apply it on pet’s body. Do not apply near eyes, ears, or mouth. For best results, practice this method once a week.

Garlic

Garlic is a strong repellent for ticks. However, in order to be an effective deterrent, the Garlic must be consumed in sufficient amount. Unfortunately, dogs cannot tolerate raw garlic. Garlic is more toxic than onions and can cause anemia or damage red blood cells in dogs. Cooked garlic can be added to the dog’s food. You can also use garlic powder in place of raw garlic. Simply add 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder per pound of regular dog food. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before using this method.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is very effective against ticks. To prepare eucalyptus spray, boil 15-20 leaves of eucalyptus in approximately 1 litre water. Let it boil for 10 minutes. After boiling, let it cool down at room temperature. Strain the solution in a spray bottle. Use the solution to kill ticks.

You can also make spray by using eucalyptus oil. Fill a spray bottle with 4 ounces of distilled water. Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil. Shake well before use.

Clove

The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of clove help in killing ticks. It has been used for removing ticks and fleas from pets. Pour some clove oil on palm and rub it gently on pet’s fur. A spray can also be prepared with the help of some peppermint oil, clove extracts and water.

Tea Tree Oil

The medicinal properties of tea tree oil help in repelling ticks on pets. Tea tree oil can be used in different ways to discourage ticks. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your pet’s regular shampoo.

You can add a few drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle filled with water, and spray it directly on pet’s body. Else, put a few drops of tea tree oil directly on an embedded tick with the help of a dropper. Now, remove the tick with the help of tweezers.

Note: The natural tea tree oil can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin.

Cinnamon Oil

Cinnamon oil works as a natural repellent against ticks and fleas and very useful in getting rid of ticks. All you are required to do is to apply some cinnamon oil directly on the affected area. Be careful to avoid eyes, or sensitive areas.

You can also add 80 drops of cinnamon oil to one ounce of water. Fill the solution in a hose sprayer. Gently spray it in the lawn. This will work against ticks.

Cinnamon oil acts as a protecting shield against ticks on human skin. Just rub cinnamon oil on your skin. Again, be careful to avoid eyes, or sensitive areas.

Source: Home Remedy Shop