What You Need To Know & Protecting Your Dog During Walks in New Hampshire
The Rise of Ticks in New Hampshire
As a dedicated dog walker in New Hampshire, I’m committed to keeping your furry friends safe and healthy. Recently, we’ve seen a significant increase in tick encounters. The mild winter we just experienced didn’t kill off as many ticks as harsher winters typically do. This means that the tick population is higher than usual this spring and summer.
The Dangers of Ticks for Dogs
Ticks are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious health risks to your dogs. These tiny parasites can transmit several dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Lyme disease is particularly common in New Hampshire and can cause severe symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and even kidney problems if left untreated.
Why Tick Prevention is Crucial
Given the increased tick activity, it’s essential to ensure that your dog is on a reliable tick prevention regimen. Here’s how you can help protect your dog:
- Topical Treatments and Collars: Use products like spot-on treatments or tick collars that effectively kill and repel ticks. These treatments can last for several weeks, providing continuous protection.
- Oral Medications: Consult your vet about oral tick preventatives. These are highly effective and work by killing ticks that bite your dog, thus preventing disease transmission.
- Regular Tick Checks: After each walk, especially in grassy or wooded areas, thoroughly check your dog for ticks. Prompt removal can prevent disease transmission.
- Yard Maintenance: Keep your yard well-maintained to reduce tick habitats. Regularly mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and remove leaf litter.
- Frequent Vet Visits: Regular veterinary check-ups can help monitor your dog’s health and ensure their tick prevention strategy is effective.
The Impact of Mild Winters
Mild winters, like the one we just had, fail to reduce tick populations significantly. This means that ticks are more prevalent and active as soon as the warmer months arrive. Some ticks may even remain active year-round in milder climates.
My Commitment as Your Dog Walker
As your trusted dog walker, I take the health and safety of your pets very seriously. Here’s what I do to help protect your dogs from ticks:
- Choosing Safe Walking Routes: I opt for walking paths that are less likely to have high tick populations, such as paved trails and well-maintained parks. Although, depending on the time of year this is very challenging.
- Regular Tick Checks: After each walk, I perform a tick check to ensure your dog is free of these pests.
- Education and Awareness: I stay informed about local tick reports and any infestations in areas where we commonly walk. I will also keep you updated with tips and information on effective tick prevention.
Conclusion
Tick prevention is essential in New Hampshire, especially with the rising tick populations due to mild winters. By working together, we can keep your dogs safe and ensure they enjoy their walks to the fullest. If you have any questions or need more information about tick prevention, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s keep our furry friends tick-free and happy!
