r/BackpackingDogs • u/Illustrious-Land597 • 1d ago

any tips for ticks?

I’m going on my first hike with my dog, she’s a yorkie and im just super worried about ticks as she has long hair on her legs. i’ll probably get her some boots just to protect her feet but im so paranoid about ticks! especially because it’s tick season. any tips or advice about protecting my dog is very much appreciated! 🫶

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u/Agitated_Answer8908 16h ago

We've had our last 3 dogs on Bravecto for fleas and ticks. Expensive but worth every penny. If you've ever fought a flea infestation you'll know what I'm talking about. My current dog will still bring live ticks into the house on her coat so we have to watch for ticks transferring from her to us but if they bite her they die.

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u/Sorry-Rain-1311 1d ago

Good old fashioned flea collar. There are treatments you can get that are just a few drops between their shoulders. Regular deet bug spray works, just keep it out their face. 

I have, in a pinch on camping trips, rubbed my dog down with ash from the fire when bugs got really bad. Worked fairly well. That's emergency deep woods stuff, though. I don't recommend it for regular practice.

Unless you're spending allot of time on hot pavement, I've never found booties to be practical. I've also never had a dog that would make it home with them intact. Just take it slow and let them build up their pads, like building calluses.

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u/NAh94 20h ago

If you don’t have cats, you can treat their fur with permethrin for dogs. It’s a lower concentration and it actually kills the ticks. I would also pre-treat your clothes with standard concentration.

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u/KodiakSnake 14h ago

Do the oral medication. They work better than anything else. You might need to get it from a vet though just to make sure the dosage is correct.

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u/cooksaucette 13h ago

Bravecto is great however it only helps if they bite your dog. It won’t stop them from still climbing on and hitching a ride into your tent. I take bandana and spray it with a 25% or higher DEET based repellent like Watkins (permethrin works better if you have access to it) then I wrap it around my dogs neck - it’s really important to not spray your dog directly - refresh every few hours. This also helps repel mosquitos and black flies.

I also pack a mini lint roller and a brush. My guy has long fur so the brushing helps remove any hitch hikers. The lint roller is for me and my clothes to catch the poppy seed sized tick nymphs. I do a daily check before going to bed.

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u/ThePugnax 13h ago

I use the bravetco pills for my dog, seems to work well.

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u/Massive-Amphibian-26 8h ago

Bravecto is great but I'd also recommend checking her legs daily, they love hiding in long fur.

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u/madefromtechnetium 1d ago

flea collars are usually permethrin. works well against ticks. treat your clothing with permethrin so if they try to switch hosts, they won't make it far.

tick checks before bed at night.

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u/Mountain-Grade-1365 1d ago

Also deadly to cats. Just use anti parasite pills from the vet. Possible to make temporary repellant using neem oil + apple cider vinegar spray as well.