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Table of Contents
When does a dog with a tick need a vet?
How to remove a tick on dogs safely
What NOT to do when removing a tick
Does tick treatment kill ticks immediately?
What to watch out for after a tick bite?
When is tick season in the UK?
How to check a dog for ticks
You don’t have to take your dog to the vet if they have a tick bite. You can remove ticks at home with a tick hook and a safe approach.
Ticks are small parasites that attach to a dog’s skin and feed on their blood. Although a tick bite may cause little more than temporary irritation, some ticks can transmit infections, including Lyme disease. Keep reading to find out how to safely remove a tick from your dog and what to do if it’s embedded.
Contact your vet if you do not feel confident removing the tick or your dog will not stay still enough for you to do it safely. A veterinary professional can remove it without squeezing its body or leaving its mouthparts behind.
You should see a vet if:
• The tick is in a difficult or sensitive place, such as close to an eye or inside an ear
• Your dog has several ticks, particularly if it is a puppy, elderly, very small or already unwell
• You think part of the tick remains after removal
• The skin becomes increasingly red, swollen, painful, hot or produces discharge
• Your dog has recently travelled abroad or was imported from another country
• Your dog seems unwell during the days or weeks following a tick bite
Speak to your vet promptly if you notice lethargy, fever, reduced appetite, swollen joints, stiffness, lameness or unusual sensitivity to touch. These signs do not automatically mean your dog has a tick-borne disease, but they should not be ignored.
Sudden weakness, collapse, breathing difficulty, very pale gums, seizures or severe distress require urgent veterinary attention.
Quick, correct tick removal is important.
Use a purpose-designed tick-removal tool, like a tick hook.
Part the fur so you can see where the tick enters the skin
Slide the tool beneath its body and remove it with a smooth action - For tick hooks gradually twist up and out.
Keep your dog calm and avoid pulling at an angle with your fingers
After removal, check that the tick appears intact, clean the area with a pet-safe antiseptic and wash your hands. Dispose of the tick securely in a sealed container or bag. Note the date you pulled out the tick so you have a record if symptoms develop later.
If a small fragment seems to be left behind, do not repeatedly dig at the skin. That can cause more inflammation or infection. Ask your vet for advice instead.
Some ways to get rid of ticks can injure your dog and may encourage the tick to release fluids into the bite.
Never squeeze, crush or puncture an attached or embedded tick.
Do not cover it with petroleum jelly, alcohol, nail varnish, essential oils or other substances.
Do not try to burn it off.
Tick treatments can’t kill ticks straight away, but they can kill ticks once they crawl on your dog. This is because the spot-on tick treatment needs time to soak into your dog’s skin and remain there as a protective barrier against pests like fleas and ticks. Ticks exposed to regular vet strength parasite treatment, like Itch Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs will die and fall off within 48 hours. However, if you spot a tick you should remove it promptly.
It’s important to use tick treatment that is right for your dog. A recommended dose for their weight, age and lifestyle. Not sure where to start? Tell Itch about your dog and they’ll recommend you the perfect Tick treatment dose and how often you should use it. It’s free to find out!
A small amount of local redness can occur after tick removal, but it should settle rather than worsen. Check the site daily for the next few days. Contact your vet if a lump grows, the area becomes sore or your dog continually licks or scratches it.
Continue watching your dog’s general health in the following weeks. Lyme disease can cause vague signs including tiredness, poor appetite, fever, swollen lymph nodes, painful joints and lameness that may appear to move from one leg to another.
Other tick-borne diseases may be associated with travel outside the UK and can cause different symptoms. If you’ve recently taken your dog on holiday, get in contact with your vet to find out if your dog is at risk.
Ticks may be encountered at any time of year, so there is no completely risk-free period. In the UK, your dog is most likely to get a tick bite between March to November, although milder conditions can extend tick season. Dogs walking through woodland, moorland, long grass or places visited by wildlife and livestock are more likely to pick them up.
To be on top of tick bites, get into the habit of checking your dog for ticks. Here's How To Check For Ticks On Dogs👇
Check after every walk.
Run your hands slowly over the coat.
Inspect around the head, ears, neck, armpits, groin, tummy, tail and between the toes.
Watch for any itching or biting in a particular area of their skin.
Remember! A newly attached tick can be super small, it’s not until ticks feed that they are the size of a pea and easy to spot.
Here’s What A Tick Looks Like so you know what to look out for !
No preventative product is 100% effective, so regular checks on your dog should accompany a tick treatment. Regular tick treatment will protect your dog from ticks best - Using too little, applying it late or choosing a product that does not cover ticks may leave gaps in protection.
During periods of high activity, keep to clearer paths where practical and avoid allowing your dog to push through dense, long grass. Check both your dog and yourself when you return home. Promptly removing ticks found crawling in the coat can prevent them from attaching.
Your dog doesn’t need to see a vet to remove a tick, but if they are showing signs of infection or change in behaviour, it might be more serious and you should get a veterinary appointment. Effective tick treatment, routine coat checks and careful tick removal provide the best protection throughout tick season.
Ticks can crawl onto your pet fast and you're none the wiser. Before you know it you're removing blood-swelled pests from your pet, hoping it causes no long term problems (fingers crossed).
Or you could stop ticks before they become a problem. Regular vet strength tick treatment that kills ticks on dogs in under 48 hours. One perfectly tailored dose of Itch Flea & Tick every month, protects your dog from fleas, ticks and lice. Easy peasy.
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Ticks can turn a pleasant outdoor adventure into a potential health concern. While we often associate ticks with our furry friends, it is crucial to know if YOU can get ticks! Scroll to find out and more importantly, our vet recommended tips on protecting yourself and your pet from ticks.
Ah, the great outdoors! Most of us love nothing more than a brisk walk in the countryside or a run around in the park with our furry companions. But along with the joys of nature come some pesky nuisances, one of which is the humble tick. These tiny, blood-sucking creatures may be small, but they can cause big problems for both pets and their owners if left unchecked.
Ticks are tiny parasites that attach themselves to humans and animals, feed on blood, and spread serious illnesses through tick bites. Whether you discover an embedded tick on your skin after a hike or notice ticks on your dog in the garden, your first question is usually the same... How do I get rid of ticks?
Many people turn to home remedies because they are easy, affordable, and often use ingredients already available in the house. But tick treatments are usually safer, and have faster and more reliable results. Not every method works immediately, and some natural repellents can even make tick removal more dangerous if used incorrectly. Carry on reading to find out how to remove a tick (and get the best results!), as well as the safest ways to deal with tick bites.
