Spring is fast approaching, many of us eagerly anticipate the warmer weather, lighter nights and blossoming flowers. But while we enjoy the summer season, it also invites unwelcome visitors – ticks, worms and other parasites that can harm our four-legged friends! It’s important to be aware of these parasites and the harms they can cause so that we can protect our pets and keep them safe.

Types of parasites

Lungworm:

Lungworm is a parasitic worm that can affect dog’s heart, lungs and other organs by travelling through their blood vessels. Slugs, snails, or their slime can carry Lungworm. It can be life-threatening for dogs – signs to look out for include shortness of breath, weight loss and vomiting/diarrhoea [1].

Ticks:

Ticks may be small, but they can cause some serious harm to pets. They are commonly found in heathland, moorland and woodlands, but can even be lurking in our own gardens. Tick-borne diseases can result in fever, joint pain and organ damage. UK ticks can carry Lyme Disease which attacks muscles and nerve cells [2].

Other Types of Worms:

Another parasite to look out for are worms, which can get into your dog’s body through eating the eggs of worms in the grass, eating raw meat or from contact with other infected animals. You can notice the signs of your pet having worms if you see them losing weight, their fur becoming dry and coarse, increased appetite, and weakness [3].

What you can do

Check for ticks:

The first thing you can do is check for ticks on your pet. Ticks are grey/brown in colour and shaped like an egg they can vary in size from 1mm to 1cm. Once you get back from a walk run your hands over your dog’s fur, if ticks are present, you should be able to feel a small bump. Pay particular attention to the head, neck, feet and ears as these are areas ticks commonly head for. To remove them:

 Gently part your dog's fur so that you can locate the tick

Utilize a tick remover and carefully push it under the tick

Once you have grip on the tick - twist it in a clockwise direction until the tick begins to    loosen from your dog’s coat

Ensure that the tick is completely remove

Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or putting it in alcohol

Finally, make sure you wash your hands!

[4]

Keep your garden clean:

As we have discussed, parasites are often found in the great outdoors – which is where our dogs love to be the most! To keep risks low, it is important to keep your garden well maintained and mowed. This is a simple but efficient way to reduce the tick population of your garden [5].

Use bug repellent products:

A great solution to the pesky problem of parasites is the Be:Gone Pet Spray or Be:Gone Shampoo Bar.

The Be:Gone all-natural spray for pets is unbelievably effective at keeping critters at bay whilst soothing your dog’s skin. Our spray contains fresh scents as opposed to some of the other products on the market that can often smell harsh and chemically.

The Be:Gone Shampoo Bar is an exfoliating and moisturising shampoo bar handcrafter with essential oils to repel critters. The natural ingredients are kind to pets’ skin and leaves them with a beautiful, clean coat!

We pack our products full of nourishing and skin loving ingredients to keep pets (and pet parents) happy and healthy. Spray liberally onto your four-legged friend, particularly when going outside or taking pets on outdoor adventures where ticks may be lurking! Reclaim the outdoors with the brilliant Be:Gone Spray and Shampoo Bar.

Conclusion:

As the warmer months approach, it is important to be aware of the potential harm that can be caused by ticks and worms. This article has outlined some of the risks and measures you can take in order to Be:Gone with this problem!

References