Do you go camping or hiking with your dog where ticks may be prevalent? Is your yard a place where ticks thrive? Are you worried your dog may be exposed to ticks while playing in your yard? Does the thought of a tick repellent for your dog that contains chemicals turn you off? Then an all natural tick repellent may help to keep those ticks off your dog.
This post will look at all natural tick repellents, including ingredients that are contained in these repellents, and different products available you can use to prevent ticks from bothering your dog.
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Related: Best Puppy Flea Shampoo, Best Dog Flea Collar For Your Pup, Dog Safe Mosquito Repellent
What Are Ticks?
Ticks are a type of arachnid. They eat blood in order to survive. To do this, they latch onto a host. This can be a person or animal including birds, amphibians, and even your dog.
What Attracts My Dog To Ticks?
According to the CDC, ticks can sense your dog by detecting your dog’s breath, body odor, or by sensing body heat and vibrations.
Types Of Ticks
There are multiple types of ticks including:
- American Dog Tick.
- Black Legged Deer Tick.
- Brown Dog Tick.
- Lone Star Tick.
- Rocky Mountain Wood Tick.
Where Are Ticks Found?
Ticks can be found all over the world. They tend to be in areas with tall grass and brush. Ticks can also be in trees and leaves and shady areas.
What Diseases Can Ticks Pass On To My Dog?
Ticks can spread diseases to dogs, just like they can spread diseases to humans. Disease that can be passed onto dogs include:
- Lyme disease.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- Ehrlichiodis.
- Babesiosis.
- Anaplasmosis.
- Bartonellosis.
- Hepatozoonosis.
What Are Symptoms Of Tick Disease In Dogs?
Some signs and symptoms of tick disease your dog could experience include:
- Fever.
- Lethargy.
- Loss of appetite.
- Painful joints.
- Lameness.
- Abnormal bleeding.
If left untreated, tick disease can progress and damage or cause problems with your dogs kidneys, nervous system, heart, and immune system.
How Long Will A Tick Stay On A Dog?
Once a tick attaches to your dog, they usually stay about 10-12 days, but it could be longer.
How Long Must A Tick Be On My Dog Before It Transmits Disease?
A tick that is on your dog can start spreading disease between 12 and 24 hours after it starts feeding on them.
Should I Bathe My Dog After Finding A Tick?
If you find a tick on your dog, promptly remove it. You may also want to save it to show your vet if your dog develops any symptoms so they can identify the type of tick your dog had.
After the tick is removed, you can bathe your dog with a tick repellent shampoo. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and leave the shampoo on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing off.
Once the shampoo is washed off, comb your dog. You may find other ticks that you did not know about come off your dog.
What Smells Keep Ticks Away From Dogs Naturally?
There are certain scents that ticks do not like and stay away from. These include:
- Lavender.
- Lemon.
- Peppermint.
- Eucalyptus.
- Orange.
- Cinnamon.
Do Natural Tick Repellents Work?
Natural tick repellents do not work as well as tick repellents with chemical pesticides, such as permethrin.
If you are looking to fight ticks without the harsh chemicals of a pesticide, an all natural tick repellent can help. There is no conclusive evidence that an all natural tick repellent works and some people report success using them, while others do not.
However, it is worth a try to see if it works for you and your dog.
You may also have to reapply an all natural tick repellent more frequently than other types of repellent.
What Are Common Ingredients Found In All Natural Tick Repellents?
All natural tick repellents usually contain a combination of essential oils. Some of these may include:
- Lavender Oil.
- Peppermint Oil.
- Lemongrass Oil.
- Thyme Oil.
- Clove Oil.
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Cinnamon Oil.
Keep in mind that some dogs may not respond well to essential oils. If you plan to use a product that contains essential oils, check with your veterinarian first to be sure it is ok to use on your dog.
If your dog experiences or exhibits any signs of a reaction to the product (rash, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, etc.), stop using the product and have your dog evaluated by your veterinarian.
How Do I Treat My Yard For Ticks Naturally?
Not only are there natural tick repellents to use on your dog, there are also all natural tick repellents that you can spray onto your yard to prevent ticks from enjoying your grass, trees, or garden.
As with dog repellents, you may have to spray your yard more often than if you were to use a repellent with pesticide.
Best All Natural Tick Repellent For Dogs
Here are 5 examples of all natural tick repellents for dogs. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
We have included different types of natural tick repellent that you can try for both your dog and your lawn.
Most products get mixed reviews, with certain products that work for one dog but not others. You may have to experiment with different items before you find one that works for your dog.
Best Natural Tick Repellent Lotion
Liquid Vet Flea & Tick Support Formula For Dogs
This lotion contains a variety of essential oils to repel ticks.
- Cruelty free.
- Won’t leave a greasy residue.
- Contains:
- Peppermint Oil.
- Rosemary Oil.
- Lemongrass Oil.
- Thyme Oil.
- Geraniol.
- Eugenol.
- Repels fleas and ticks.
- Lotion.
- Made in the USA.
Best Natural Shampoo
Tropiclean Natural Flea & Tick Plus Soothing Dog Shampoo
This shampoo has a citrus scent and also moisturizes your dog’s skin.
- Includes natural ingredients such as:
- Clove Oil.
- Lemongrass Oil.
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Cinnamon Oil.
- Sesame Oil.
- Citrus scent.
- Moisturizes dry skin.
- Repels fleas and ticks.
- Use once a week.
- Cruelty free.
- For dogs 12 weeks and older.
Best Natural Tick Repellent Spray
Cedarcide Extra Strength Tickshield Kit
This spray needs to be reapplied every few days and uses Cedarwood oil to repel ticks.
- Kills and repels ticks.
- For use on dogs over 20 lbs.
- Dogs under 20 lbs. can use the Original formula.
- Non-toxic.
- Apply every 2-4 days.
- Contains Cedarwood Oil.
- Made in the USA.
Best Natural Tick Collar
Vetality Naturals Flea & Tick Collar For Dogs
This tick collar is waterproof and can last up to 4 months.
- Provides 4 months of protection from fleas and ticks.
- For dogs 6 months and older.
- Phthalate free.
- PVC free.
- Waterproof.
- Contains Cedarwood Oil and Peppermint Oil.
Best Natural Yard Spray
Wondercide and Tropiclean
Both Wondercide and Tropiclean have an all natural tick repellent yard spray.
- Also have an all natural yard spray.
- Wondercide contains Cedarwood Oil.
- Treats up to 5,000 square feet.
- Cruelty free.
- Biodegradable.
- Made in the USA.
- Tropiclean contains Clove Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Lemongrass Oil, and Cinnamon Oil.
- Citrus scent.
- Made in the USA.
An all natural tick repellent for dogs can be a great option to try if you want to avoid using products with dangerous chemicals or pesticides. They come in a variety of forms ranging from lotions to sprays and shampoos and collars. You may have to try several types or a combination of them to find what works best for you and your dog.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.