Tick Prevention: A Controversial Topic
I’m often asked for my opinion on this subject…
This text is the result of personal reflection based on my experience and does not replace veterinary advice in any way. Rather, it is the product of many hours of reflection, observation, and reading on the topic, and I’m sharing my perspective through the lens of an agronomist.
Ultimately, I believe that no matter what decision we make on this issue, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons beforehand, because it can have significant impacts on our dogs’ health.
Medication and parasite prevention: yes or no?
When it comes to tick prevention, some people want to systematically use medication, while others absolutely do not want to treat… We all have our fears and beliefs…
Unfortunately, as in many situations, there is no perfect solution, and it’s important to make an informed decision because it can affect your animal’s health.
Before choosing a prevention or parasite-control method, the first thing to evaluate is the risk that your animal will catch the parasite and the risk of serious health consequences if they become infected.
Fleas and worms rarely cause severe issues unless there is a major infestation that goes untreated. Ticks are different… They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, which may affect your dog’s quality of life.
We must also assess the likelihood of exposure. For example, do you live in an area where ticks are common? We also need to evaluate the risk of the parasite transmitting disease and the risk of the animal developing complications if infected. Ask your veterinarian these questions. They will be able to guide you.
From what I’ve read, not 100% of ticks carry disease, not 100% of dogs bitten by an infected tick will become ill, and not 100% of dogs affected by the disease will develop symptoms or long-term consequences.
So, without minimizing the risks associated with tick-borne illnesses, it’s not automatically a death sentence or guaranteed severe outcome every time a dog gets a tick. But there is always some level of risk, however small.
Once we’ve assessed the risk, we’re better able to determine the strength of the prevention method we choose. No solution is 100% perfect…
As a preventive measure, your veterinarian will probably mention products from the isoxazoline family (Bravecto, NexGard, and others). These products are either ingested by your dog or applied topically once a month and act as insecticides. They circulate through your animal’s system and bloodstream and kill the insect if it bites your pet.
Logically, just thinking about it, I find it hard to believe that having insecticides circulating in an animal’s system and blood could be completely without consequences.
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued two warnings regarding the possibility that these products could cause serious neurological side effects in some animals. Mysteriously, those notices disappeared and were replaced with a more general advisory in 2021.
I won’t say more. I’ll let you consult the FDA’s latest advisory yourself:
This made me reflect a lot.
I also have clients whose dogs received these products and still developed Lyme disease. I’ve also seen dogs develop neurological problems after taking these medications.
Personally, I’m not comfortable with the idea of my dogs being exposed to a systemic insecticide every month, but I’m willing to accept the risks associated with my decision.
I also fully respect people who choose to use them, as long as they’ve taken the time to analyze the situation and understand the risks before deciding.
I also wonder: if these products are truly so safe, why don’t humans take them too?
Humans are just as much at risk, if not more, of severe consequences from Lyme disease as our dogs are. Maybe that’s a bit too anthropomorphic of me, but I can’t help wondering.
So if I don’t use isoxazoline products (Bravecto, NexGard, etc.), how can I help my dog?
I’ve always preferred a more natural approach, so I’d like to share a few tips with you. Again, this does not replace veterinary advice, but rather reflects my personal perspective and what I find interesting from a more natural prevention standpoint.
1. Strengthen the immune system
First and foremost, parasites such as fleas, ticks, and worms are organisms that live at the expense of a host. Naturally, parasites tend to prefer hosts with weakened immune systems.
Your dog’s first line of defense is therefore a strong immune system, and that starts above all with healthy nutrition.
The very first thing you can do to protect your animal is to feed them a healthy diet that meets their needs, ideally a high-quality, varied, fresh raw diet.
2. Check your dog’s coat every day
One of the best ways to prevent your dog from being bitten by a tick and contracting a tick-borne illness is to spot and remove the tick quickly and safely.
Some clients have shared their tips with me:
- brushing the dog after walks
- using a lint roller on the dog’s coat
- carefully inspecting the dog after outings
- using protective mesh clothing against insects
The best method of tick control is removing ticks quickly from your animal.
3. Essential oils
Another interesting preventive approach is regularly spraying your dog with products made from essential oils known for their insect-repelling properties.
There are limited studies available on the topic, but here is one discussing the repellent properties of certain oils:
https://malariajournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2875-10-S1-S11
Among the essential oils believed to have insect-repelling properties are:
- citronella
- lemon eucalyptus
- thyme
- geranium
- mint
- cedarwood
- patchouli
Neem oil, derived from a tree, has also shown repellent effects against certain insects and may affect tick reproduction. It should be noted, however, that neem oil is not officially recognized as an insecticide in Canada.
So even though there is limited research available, there’s generally little downside to using essential oils preventively. However, they must be applied regularly to maintain their effectiveness.
As for essential oil sprays, I need to be careful about recommending specific companies or products here because many blends are not officially recognized by Health Canada as repellent products.
Legally, they cannot necessarily be promoted as products that repel ticks.
That said, certain essential oils are recognized for their repellent effects. What I recommend is visiting a pet store that is knowledgeable about natural approaches and asking for advice directly there.
You can consult our retailers here.
Many stores that carry our products are used to helping dog parents looking for more natural options, so they can be a great place to ask questions.
The important thing is to choose a product specifically formulated for animals, follow the usage instructions carefully, and remain cautious with essential oils, especially if your dog is sensitive.
4. Diatomaceous earth
Many people use diatomaceous earth as an insecticide. This product works by damaging the exoskeletons of insects, causing them to die from dehydration.
I advise against applying it directly to your pet in powder form, as it can irritate the respiratory tract.
Some people mix it with water and spray it on their pet before going outside, which may be a better option.
Ticks can also make their home in your yard. A good way to help control them is to scatter diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your property a few times a year.
I don’t recommend giving diatomaceous earth to your pet, as its effectiveness in controlling parasites this way has not been proven.
So, I’ll let you form your own opinion on the matter. I know it’s not easy, but one thing is certain: there’s no perfect method… and there will always be risks.
You simply have to choose the approach that best aligns with your beliefs and knowledge.
It’s always easier to sleep at night after making an informed decision!
Karine Simard, Agronomist, M.Sc.
Parent-dog x 3
