How to protect your dog from fleas and ticks at the park?

Parks are a great place for your furry buddy to catch their daily dose of fresh air, to exercise and to meet new friends. Unfortunately, your friendly neighbourhood dog park also plays host to a widespread buffet of parasites like fleas and ticks. So, it makes perfect sense to practice some precautionary measures to protect your canine friend from catching those pesky bugs from the park!

Flea prevention at the park

Not many people are conscientious as they will bring a flea infested pet to parks therefore making other dogs prone to getting it from them. Also, parks are one of the most popular places for your pet to get inflicted with fleas as a lot of dogs visit the place making it a hot spot for a wide variety of fleas. So, here are a few prevention tips you may want to follow when you take your pet to the park:

• Before you take your pet to the park it is a good idea for you to search the place for fleas that can be hiding in areas such as high grasses or debris. If you do then it is better to avoid that place.
• Ensure your dog wears a flea collar at the park.
• After the visit to the park and before you bring them home you should check your dog completely for fleas.
• If you find fleas in your dog, then keep them outside till you give them a bath or hit a flea spray.

Tick prevention at the park

Ticks are bothersome creatures that are commonly found in dog parks. They do not cause as much trouble as fleas as they do not enter your home as easily but if they are left untreated they can cause serious health problems to your pet. Ticks can cause Lyme disease to dogs. So, to prevent your pet from tick infestation follow these precautionary measures:

• Scout the park for areas that are damp and shady places that have heaps of plant debris. Stay away from it. Ensure that the grass has been trimmed short before allowing your dog to play.
• Make your dog wear a tick collar at the park.
• Examine your dog carefully for ticks before bringing them inside your home.
• If you notice the presence of ticks in your pet, then remove and kill them. Also watch out for signs of Lyme disease at the infected area.

Once you follow the above tips you can easily protect your pet from getting afflicted with fleas and ticks at the park. However, you can always contact your vet for their professional advice.

Happy Parenting!

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