Tag: ticks

That age-old maxim, “April Showers Bring May Flowers” is very true. After Winter, fragrant blossoms are a welcome sight and are very abundant already this Spring! However, May also brings some nasty critters that aren’t welcome at all—fleas and ticks! Ick! But don’t worry! Best Bully Sticks.com is here to help you sort out what flea and tick preventatives are best for your pooch this Spring.

We’re here to say two things:
1. You should always take preventative steps to protect your furry family member from fleas and ticks.

2. If you didn’t know already, BBS doesn’t condone the use of any chemicals in anything for pets because they’re very bad for our four-legged friends.

That being said, how do you treat your dog for fleas and ticks without using a flea and tick medication that isn’t full of crazy sounding chemicals for ingredients? In reality, it’s very simple, but first, let’s go over why chemically enhanced flea and tick preventatives aren’t good for your dog.

One of the first reasons to avoid chemically laden flea and tick preventatives is that it could be very harmful to your dog. The chemicals that act as insect repellents have been known to have some bad side effects, like seizures and poisoning.  The second reason is because these chemical toxins, from dog flea collars or topical solutions, can stay on pet fur for weeks. This means that children are in danger of ingesting the chemicals as well. This has been seen to cause short and long term developmental issues in children.

Watch this video from the NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) to learn more about topical flea and tick preventatives and the toxins they could include.

Here are a few simple ways to prevent flea and ticks naturally! Read more

Summer time equals fun in the sun with family, friends and your dog but it can also mean danger. Here are a few health hazards & risk that all pet owners should be aware of in order to keep your dog safe during those long dog days of summer.

Dehydration
Cool your dog down with a refreshing bowl of clean ice water. Pupsicles are also a fun way to cool down your dog by freezing low sodium chicken broth or yogurt in ice cube trays. Check out our healthy Straw-bana Pupsicle recipe!

Burned Pads
When the mercury rises so does hot surfaces under the summer sun. Be aware that asphalt on sidewalks and streets can heat to a temperature which can burn a dog's paws. It is is recommended that you walk your dog in the early morning or late evening, the coolest parts of the day, to prevent your dog from getting sun burned (buy pet sunscreen) or scorched paws. You may also want to provide your dog with paw protective booties when walking during the heat of the day. One way to gauge whether or not a walk on a hot summer day is a good idea is to put your hand down on the asphalt for about thirty seconds. If your hand can't stand the heat for 30 seconds, and you need to pull away, then your dog paws probably will not be able to endure a 30 minute walk or run around the block.

Parasites
Summer time means lunch time for insects. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes are tail biting bloodsucking pest that can wreak havoc on your pet causing discomfort or life threatening health issues. Prevention is key to winning the war against fleas and ticks. Lucky for you there are so many preventative solutions available from flea tick medication, repellent shampoo's & sprays, essential oils, all natural remedies and more. Keeping your dog well groomed, healthy and home clean will reduce your pet's risk of parasite infestation.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious risk not only to humans but dogs as well and can be fatal. The first step toward heatstroke prevention is restricting your dogs exercise and outdoor play time during the hottest parts of the day. Instead opt for early morning or late evening strolls, runs, brisk walks and a fun game of fetch at the park. Make sure your dog is well hydrated at all times and carry ample water on your adventures. Provide your dog with an air conditioned place to chill and relax, supervised swim time and cooling mats. NEVER, NEVER leave your dog unattended in the car during summer heat, it only takes a few seconds for a car to overheat and turn into an oven. So how hot does your car get? Find out!  Even if your windows are cracked or you park in the shade, heat can build quickly in a car in the summer so the safer option is to leave your dog home when running errands. Be fair warned that leaving your dog in a hot car may be seen as act of animal cruelty and can get you in a lot of trouble. Check out "Don't Leave Me in Here — It's Hot!" fliers for you to print and pass around to pet owners.

Seasonal Allergies
Summer time and the living is sneezy! If your dog has the sniffles, hot spots, balding, the itches then allergies may be the culprit. Seasonal allergies can come in many forms-  fleas, grass and plants, and mold allergies. If your dog is barking for relief and you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies we recommend a vet visit. Not only will the vet help you get down to the root of the problem a vet check up will also help rule out any other possible serious health issues.

Is your dog being constantly tormented and irritated (pun intended) by ticks, mosquito, fleas and tail biting bugs?  With summer just around the corner its time to tick & bug proof you and your dog prior to those fun filled hikes, outdoor excursions & camping trips. Ticks are carriers of many disease including Lyme Disease and dogs and humans can fall victim. Like anything, the best cure is prevention. But before you start praying yourself  & your furry buddy with harsh insecticides, we have a safer & healthier solution. All natural tick repellent is a great alternative to chemical repellents because it is safe, non-toxic and has no adverse side effects.Our friends at ehow came up with an all natural tick recipe to take the bite out of the dog days of summer.

All Natural Tick Repellent Recipe for You & Your Dog

1. Place a funnel into the top of a 12-ounce or larger bottle.

2. Pour 10 oz. of jojoba oil or aloe vera gel through the funnel into the bottle. The jojoba oil or aloe vera gel will serve as a base to dilute the neem oil. The oil is more effective at making the natural tick repellent stick to the skin or fur, but some people find the oil to be too greasy. If you prefer, substitute the jojoba oil for a different base oil, such as almond or olive oil.

3. Pour 1/2 oz. of organic neem oil through the funnel into the bottle.

4. Fasten the spray nozzle lid onto the bottle and shake the bottle for five minutes to combine the ingredients.

5. Shake the natural neem tick repellent before each use. Spray it lightly onto your dogs fur, avoiding eyes, ears, nose or genitals, once every two weeks.  You can even apply the neem oil liberally onto your skin before hiking or going into wooded areas. In the event that an allergic reaction occurs, such as irritation or rash, wash the Neem tick repellent off using soap and water.

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