"This Is Not Abuse, I'm Protecting My Dog": The Reason Behind the Trending "Onion Mesh Dogs" on Social Media

Unique Defense Tactics by Dog Owners Against Ticks Targeting Ears and Faces
Experts Emphasize Preventatives and Post-Walk Checks

Photos of pet owners placing mesh bags, originally used to hold vegetables such as onions, over their dogs' heads to prevent ticks and insects from attaching to their pets' ears or faces during walks have become a trending topic online. On August 11, Yonhap News TV reported that, recently, social networking services (SNS) and social media have seen a flurry of photos and videos shared of dogs going for walks with green onion mesh bags turned inside out and worn on their heads, sparking much discussion. One pet owner who posted a photo explained, "Don't throw away onion mesh bags," adding that they started using the mesh after their dog repeatedly pushed its head deep into grassy areas during walks.

Recently, photos and videos of a pet dog taking a walk with a green onion mesh bag inverted on its head have been continuously uploaded on social networking services (SNS) and social media. SNS screenshot

This owner further explained that even with preventive measures against external parasites, they began using the mesh after discovering a tick in the dog's ear during a bath. Another owner also shared a photo of a net, typically used to cover earthenware crocks, placed over their dog's head and emphasized, "This is not abuse. I am protecting my dog."

As this unexpected "onion mesh fashion" spread, internet users responded with amused comments. Reactions included: "That is such a clever idea," "Even tiny bugs keep sticking," and "That's so cute," along with various accounts of difficulties experienced during walks due to bugs or ticks. However, it remains difficult to claim that makeshift mesh nets like onion bags can completely prevent tick bites. Both domestic and international veterinary organizations emphasize that regular tick prevention, avoiding areas with high tick populations, and conducting thorough post-walk checks on pets are critical preventive measures.

Photos of pet owners wearing nets containing vegetables such as onions on their heads to prevent ticks and insects from attaching to their dogs' ears and faces during walks have become a hot topic online. Screenshot from social media

Ticks reside in grass, bushes, and shrubs, and attach themselves to passing animals or people to feed. According to the Korean Veterinary Medical Association, major diseases that ticks can transmit to pets include Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Lyme disease. If infected, symptoms may present as anemia, loss of appetite, fever, and lethargy, and a delayed diagnosis or treatment can lead to serious complications.

In particular, SFTS and Lyme disease are zoonotic diseases, which means they can also affect humans. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency explains that SFTS most commonly occurs in the country between April and November. Although rare, there have also been reported cases of the disease being transmitted from infected pets to humans, so extra caution is required when caring for pets suspected of infection.

Experts advise that during periods when ticks are prevalent, pet owners should try to keep their dogs from entering tall grass or dense shrubbery by the roadside as much as possible. Even along walking trails, using paved paths instead of paths along grassy edges helps lower the risk of exposure. After a walk, owners should run their hands through their dog's fur to check for ticks. It is particularly important to carefully examine areas with dense fur or skin folds, such as inside and around the ears, around the eyes and face, the neck, armpits, groin, between the toes, and around the tail.

It is also important to use tick prevention medication or external parasite control products on a regular basis. However, as these products vary in terms of the appropriate animal species, age, or weight, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian to select the right product for your dog. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends choosing and using tick and flea control products that match the animal's species, weight, and age, and following the instructions for use. If you find a tick, you should avoid simply pulling it off with your fingers. If a tick is firmly attached to the skin, do not twist or yank it off by hand.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) in the United States recommends wearing gloves and using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then pulling it out slowly with steady pressure. Twisting or suddenly pulling the tick may leave the mouthparts embedded in the skin, which can cause inflammation. Additionally, if removal is difficult or if the tick is attached inside the ear, near the eyes, or in other sensitive areas, it is safer to seek treatment at an animal clinic. If you use an onion mesh bag for this purpose, it is important to ensure that no onion pieces are left behind, as onions are toxic to dogs and consuming even a small amount can cause red blood cell damage and anemia. Therefore, if you reuse such a mesh, it must be thoroughly washed to remove any food residue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.