Tell Ticks to Take a Hike

If you're big into hiking, it's likely that your beloved furry friend is likely to come on a hiking trip or two. Wooded areas, however, can be extremely dangerous for man's best friend as they tend to be breeding grounds for ticks. After and during each outing search your dog for ticks. Check the neck, ears, and underbelly extra carefully. If you do find ticks on your animal, brush them off or remove them with rubber gloves—avoid touching them with your fingers.

If you find a tick attached to your pet, don't squeeze it. Instead, remove it with a special tick removal tool (available at most pet stores). Different ticks carry different diseases so if your pet is bitten by one it's useful to save the parasite in a jar with a wet cotton ball (so it doesn't dry up). This way, your vet can identify the specific species of tick and better diagnose your animal.