Removing Ticks on Dogs and Cats: Tick Bite Remedies

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General Feedback
Posted by Destingirl54 (Fort Walton Beach, Fl) on 09/01/2012
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I thought my cat had sores on her neck but they were ticks and the coconut oil being on her neck just attracted more ticks! I felt so sorry for her I had to bathe her and get them off. Was it the sweetness of the coconut oil that attracted them to her skin? It really made me upset because I thought coconut oil on a cats skin was healthy!! Please can someone reply to this. I still give her a bit to eat she loves it but I feel so guilty putting it on her neck thinking she had sores and they were ticks from the coconut oil!!

General Feedback
Posted by Destingirl54 (Fort Walton Beach, Fl) on 09/03/2012

BIG MISTAKE it wasnt ticks it was burrowing mites. They traveled from her ear on her body. So will continue with coconut oil because this is totally safe and non toxic and will smother the mites and cure the mange. I have no idea how she got these she never goes outside. I guess they were in her ear for a while, also put a bit in her ears and already her ears are alot better, also treated all 3 cats with frontline. Am keeping her separated from other cats. I read online that someone used coconut oil for mange and it cured it within 2 days. She also loves to eat it, so will continue this treatment. Sorry for big mistake in saying it attracted ticks. IT DOESNT. it was burrowing mites.


General Feedback
Posted by Angela (Seminole, Fl) on 09/08/2012

Does coconut oil kill ticks on a dog? I found a 3-4 month old puppy with hundreds of ticks. I've been removing them by the head, but this will take me weeks. Any advice?


General Feedback
Posted by Destingirl54 (Fort Walton Beach, Fl) on 09/08/2012

give it a shot, the coconut oil wont hurt the doggie. It is very good for him! Am still battling the mites, I feel so sorry for her, have bought her fancy feast to feed her extra well, these things are so horrible..!!! I might take her to nonprofit vet on monday just to see what they say..


General Feedback
Posted by Debbie (Brighton, Uk) on 09/18/2012

Hi, Don't pull them off. This can leave some of the tick in, which could then become infected. You can smother them in vaseline, they then suffocate and fall off. You can also feed the puppy some DE food grade. Diatomaceous Earth. Mixed in with food.


General Feedback
Posted by Heather (Truro, Ma) on 11/15/2012

Please find a better food... They have several holistic / organic out there and it sounds like little guy could really use something to boost his immune.... Check the Diatomaceous earth recommendations and be sure not to let little one breath it in, or you for that matter. I do it out on the deck and can better point our noses away from dust. It is very safe and very effective. Glad you two have found one another :))


Cedar Oil
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 05/09/2014

Hey Lisa!

Unless you have medicinal grade pure cedar oil, you probably should NOT use this oil on your cat. You may wish to explore cedar granuals that are applied to your lawn, as well as predatory nematodes to reduce fleas in your area.


Rose Geranium Oil
Posted by Selah (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/17/2011

I'm going to try rose geranium oil because I don't see anything else on this site that may help a dog with an imbedded tick. I hope it's not too late.


Rose Geranium Oil
Posted by Angela (Memphis, Tn - Tennessee) on 07/16/2012

Hi Maryland from Los Angeles, Ca, Usa, I hope you see this. I would like to know if you are referring to the pure rose geranium oil with nothing else added and if you are putting it undiluted on your dog's skin. I am asking because I always read not to put pure essential oils on animal's or our skin as it is supposed to be too strong but maybe this is not the case with the rose geranium oil? We are having such a terrible problem with ticks and fleas this year. I really need the advice. Thank you.


Rose Geranium Oil
Posted by Maryland (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 04/03/2013 47 posts

To Angela from Memphis, yes I applied undiluted, just a few drops. It really worked! Of course you would have to reapply every now and then, especially during Summer.


Rose Geranium Oil
Posted by Maggi23 (Bristol, Uk) on 06/18/2013

Maryland - did you put the oil on your dogs paws as my labrador is licking hers till raw and after visiting the vet who prescribed steroids for it - I then when at home again found a tick on the base of her facial hair (whisker) and some more on her chin.

Maybe she has more ticks on her bottom as she scoots around when she never did before? I can't see any but now want to know what I can use to help get rid of them and help her. She looks so miserable and has been off her food.

The vet finds nothing wrong with her other than a hot ear (which she keeps flicking and rubbing along the floor) and said to give her the steroids. I havent given her the steroids but so far have bathed her sore feet with ACV. Now she has bald elbows and has chewed her inner leg skin till no hair left on them.

I feel so bad I am in a quandary where to start with helping her. Can you tell me about the Rose Geranium oil and if they can lick it off without poisoning themselves on it?

Please help.


Rose Geranium Oil
Posted by Ajan (Cape Cod, Ma) on 11/04/2013

I have been following your posts and would like to know if I can apply rose geranium oil on my dogs in areas that they may lick ? We have a terrible infestation of Lymne ticks in the area and I am in need of something stronger than garlic which Iuse everday and refuse to use Frontline. Thanks


Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Helen (Thessaloniki, Greece) on 10/27/2010

Have the ticks ever invaded your home? I had (have?) a seed tick infestation (a couple of these bloodsuckers latched onto the dog and fell off in the storage area). I never knew these suckers bred by the thousands. I've been fighting them all summer and finally treated the room with something called Pubex. Now I've been finding a couple of dead dried out ticks in there but I did major house cleaning and threw a lot of stuff out, washed all stored clothes in very hot water and am wiping stuff that I don't want to throw out with rubbing alcohol but I don't have any experience with this. Are they gone? Should I still worry?
Please help!


Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Helen (Thessaloniki, Greece) on 10/28/2010

Not sure if I can find Diotomaceous earth here. I ended up going to the pharmacy for the pubex (in powder and spray form) which contain permitherin. I was so disgusted that I went for the only thing that I knew kills ticks 100%. Never let the dog, husband or child in that room again till I'm sure those buggers are dead. Like I said, I've been finding only dried out carcasses and am checking the dog like crazy. Had them fall off in the past as well but caught them just as the dog was on her way in the house. Warning to all during the start of tick season, don't neglect to check your pets for ticks after they've been out and about! Take it from me I've been cleaning house sine April and still not done! Thanks for the help!


Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Marlaina (Mclouth, Ks) on 10/29/2010

Dear JP, where do you buy your oils? I'm in the Kansas city area! Thanks, Marlaina


Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Jp (Monroe, Ny) on 10/31/2010

Hi Marlaina, I get mine from ebay. You can also get them from healthfood stores. If you wait a week or so, I'll post an update on, the effectiveness of the mix.


Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Jp (Monroe, Ny) on 11/06/2010

Also always shake well before applying, and avoid your dog's face. Spray liberally elsewhere and repeat as needed. Make sure you spray underneath as well as from top. It should last a few hours. Never use essential oils on cats.


Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Angela (Memphis, Tn - Tennessee) on 07/16/2012

My problem with this recipe is that Skin-so-soft is mineral oil which robs the body of the vitamins which are soluble in oil which are e, d and k if I remember correctly. Read this several years ago in a nutritionist's book.


Cytauxzoonosis- Feline
Posted by Trix (Miami, Fl, Usa) on 01/22/2011

I'm interested in the type of product That you use... Is it a pill, cream, spray? Thank you


Cytauxzoonosis- Feline
Posted by Mel (Kodak, Tn) on 04/05/2012

Permethrin is what kills scabies and lice... It isn't very good for the liver as it sinks into their skin.. Hope it's not constantly getting on your skin!


Cytauxzoonosis- Feline
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 12/19/2014

Hey Susan!

I was not able to find the thread to which you refer re: leaving ticks on dogs to fall off naturally.

I agree - ticks should come off. That said, I think it is important to be sanitary about the process; using a drop of nearly any essential oil can both sanitize/sterilize and also kill the tick. The key is to wait for about 3-5 minutes for the tick to die and to work it out once dead as the oils can be drying and leaving it go much longer and the head breaks off and then takes a while to come out, sometimes resulting in a tiny lesion.

While I know you have had no problems not bothering to wash up after handling ticks, you might consider changing that protocol as ticks are carrying more diseases today than ever. Not so long ago in certain rural areas it was common for people to remove a tick and then bite it to kill it: this olde time practice resulted in humans contracting tick borne diseases at an alarming rate when the disease began to infect ticks. Times have changed and will continue to change - safe and sanitary handling of ticks is one of those needed changes.


Cytauxzoonosis- Feline
Posted by robin (Washington) on 04/15/2026

Short consideration re washing and disinfecting after tic removal. Not disregarding this fine info but...actually if one considers what's dangerous ....those poor tics should be worried ABOUT ME!!!!


Cytauxzoonosis- Feline
Posted by Tara (Trabuco Canyon, Ca) on 11/02/2015

It is best to remove ticks and flush them down the toilet as they are hard to kill. I personally use tweezers (that I keep with my dogs stuff) specifically for ticks. Remember, ticks can spread lime disease so you don't want to leave them on the poor dogs.


Epsom Salt, Hydrogen Peroxide Bath
Posted by Lina (Chicago, Illinois) on 11/05/2008
★★★★★

Erichliosis/lymph nodes

I tried the epsom salts, with 1 pint of h202 for the bath. The epsom salts had spearamint in them. It was the first time in 3 days my dog has been able to lay on her side, and sleep, without so much respiratory distress. The bath was hard, I feel buzzed from the oxygen on my arms, I can't believe what's it's done for my dog this evening. She hadn't eaten all day, and then ate, just now. We've been doing the castor packs for some time. I just tried the ACV tonite. I am also going to try POKE and American Mandrake Root tinctures, 1 drop each. She's also on Cat's Claw, Una da gato, only, and also Gravizon, and ning xa and essiac herbal remedy. Keep your thumbs up, if my dog wants to live, then I'm going to find a way to make it happen for her. She's only 8.

EC: "Ehrlichiosis (also known as canine rickettsiosis, canine hemorrhagic fever, canine typhus, tracker dog disease, and tropical canine pancytopenia) is a tick-borne disease of dogs usually caused by the organism Ehrlichia canis. Ehrlichia canis is the pathogen of animals. Humans can become infected by E. canis and other species after tick exposure. German Shepherd dogs are thought to be particularly affected by the disease, but cats can also be infected."

Epsom Salt, Hydrogen Peroxide Bath
Posted by Alicia (Shawnee, Oklahoma) on 07/15/2012

I'm confused, are the Epsom salts for ticks?


Garlic
Posted by Tanya (Apopka, Florida) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★

I had been having trouble with ticks on my cocker spaniel. We started giving her one garlic pill everyday and we have not had any more tick issues. The only way she will take it is if I hide the pill in a small piece of banana. If the banana is too firm, she will break it and spit out the pill. So be sure it is a ripened banana.

EC: Read more about Garlic for Dogs here: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/garlic_for_dogs.html

Buttermilk
Posted by Mica (Cavite, Philippines) on 06/02/2009

what will happen to the ticks when they leave the dogs or us? do they die? i am afraid that it might roam around and find a better place...like other people? or our homes, carpets, etc?? sorry to ask, but i just need to be sure...


Buttermilk
Posted by Yeszz (Saint George) on 05/16/2013

I already read about raw amber from Baltic area as a tick repellent, due to liberation of succinic acid and an electrostatic change of the fur. I will try instead of buttermilk that could block my heart's arteries



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