Net-a-pawter: South Korean pet owners dressing dogs in onion mesh bags during tick season

In an unusual trend gaining traction online, South Korean pet owners are resorting to covering their dogs' heads with mesh onion bags to ward off ticks. Photos circulating on social media platforms like Threads depict dogs sporting the green mesh, a practice owners say is a practical solution to prevent ticks during outdoor excursions.

One owner explained the method after discovering a tick in their dog's ear, stating they used the onion net because their dog frequently buries its head in the grass. Another shared a similar image, clarifying that the mesh, typically used for storing food outdoors, was employed for the dog's protection, not as an act of abuse. "The net is there to protect my dog," they asserted.

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Don’t throw away your onion nets.

Specialized mesh head coverings designed to shield dogs from ticks and other insects are also available for purchase online, with prices ranging from approximately $5.90 to $54. While the sight of dogs in onion bags has amused many social media users, the underlying concern about ticks is widely acknowledged. Ticks pose a significant threat during warmer months, lurking in vegetation and potentially transmitting diseases to both animals and humans.

Veterinary advice emphasizes careful inspection of pets after walks, particularly around the ears and between the toes. Owners are cautioned against forcibly removing embedded ticks, as this can lead to inflammation or infection. The diseases transmitted by ticks can cause symptoms in dogs such as fever, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

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This is not animal abuse. The net is there to protect my dog.