Online, pet owners using onion nets and other vegetable nets to keep ticks from attaching to their dogs during summer walks are drawing attention.
On the 11th, an online community featured photos and videos of a puppy walking with a green net over its head. The poster said, "Don't throw away onion nets," adding, "My dog kept sticking its head too deep into the grass, so I put an onion net on."
The poster added, "While bathing the dog yesterday, I found a tick attached inside the ear."
Another user shared a photo of a pet wearing a net used for crock stands. The user said, "This isn't abuse," adding, "I'm putting a net on to protect my dog."
As the photos and videos spread, users laughed at the somewhat comical look of the pets but also said people should watch out for ticks during summer walks.
Ticks lie in bushes or on grass and attach to passing animals to feed on blood. Ticks on dogs can transmit diseases that cause high fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and other symptoms. Some tick-borne diseases can also affect people.
After a walk, it's best to thoroughly check areas where ticks commonly attach, such as around the dog's ears and face, the neck, and between the toes.
If you find a tick, it's important not to pull it off forcefully. Improper removal can leave parts of the tick in the skin, leading to inflammation or secondary infection, so it's safer to have it removed at an animal hospital.