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Table of Contents
Remove a tick immediately
How to recognise a tick
What you need to get rid of ticks
How to remove a tick with a tick hook
How to remove an embedded tick
What not to put on a tick
What to do after removing a tick
How to stop ticks on dogs
To remove a tick off a dog, it’s important to use the best tick removal tool, a tick hook and correct technique. Pulling carelessly, squeezing the tick or applying unsuitable substances may make removal more difficult and irritate your dog’s skin. For easy steps on how to get ticks off dogs, continue reading!
Finding a tick on your dog can be worrying. Ticks are small parasites that attach to the skin and feed on blood. Although not every tick carries disease, some can transmit infections, including Lyme disease. This is why ticks on dog coats should be found and removed as soon as possible.
Clear signs of Lyme disease include a bullseye red ring around the bite on human skin, and for pets look out for fever-like symptoms.
Before attempting tick removal, make sure the lump really is a tick. Depending on how long it has been feeding, a tick might look like a tiny dark spider, a smooth greyish lump or a small bean attached to the skin.
Run your fingertips slowly through your dog’s coat, checking beneath the collar, around the ears, between the toes, under the front legs and around the groin. Part the fur around suspicious lumps and use a torch if necessary. A tick will usually have visible legs close to the skin.
An engorged tick has consumed blood and become swollen. It may be grey, brown or cream-coloured and substantially larger than an unfed tick. Take care not to squeeze its body.
Prepare everything before starting:
• A tick-removing hook• Disposable gloves• Pet-friendly antiseptic wipes• A small sealed container or tape• Good lighting• Treats to help your dog remain calm
The best tick removal tool is generally a tick hook that fits beneath the parasite without compressing its body. These tools are available in different sizes, so select one that sits closely around the tick’s attachment point. If your dog is distressed, the tick is in a sensitive location or you do not feel confident, ask a vet to remove it.
Ask someone to hold your dog gently, or settle your dog somewhere comfortable.
Part the fur so that you can clearly see where the tick enters the skin.
Slide the hook beneath the tick from the side, keeping the tool flat against your dog’s skin.
Once the tick is securely held in the narrow part of the hook, gently rotate the hook until the tick releases.
Lift the tick away and check that its head and mouthparts appear to have come out with its body.
Place it in a sealed container or wrap it securely in tape.
Never crush a tick between your fingers.
A tick hook is the safest and most effective tick removal tool because it ensures none of the tick is left behind - which can be the reason for infection. If you don’t have a tick hook, tweezers can be used. Do not jerk, yank or squeeze. Unlike tick hooks, tweezers are normally used with a straight, steady pull. Clean the bite site afterwards with a pet-safe antiseptic and wash your hands thoroughly. The PDSA provides specific guidance for removing ticks from dogs and cats.
An embedded tick is simply one that has attached its mouthparts firmly to the skin. It does not mean the whole parasite has burrowed underneath the skin. The same careful removal process applies.
If part of the tick remains after removal, do not dig deeply into your dog’s skin with a needle or other sharp object. This could cause pain, infection or injury.
Online advice sometimes recommends petroleum jelly, nail varnish, alcohol, essential oils, heat or a lit match. Do not use these methods. They can injure your dog, and irritating or smothering an attached tick may delay safe removal. Vinegar also does not kill ticks!
Tick treatments repel ticks or kill them after attachment, meaning the right tick treatment for dogs will kill ticks immediately after they crawl onto your pet, like Itch Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs.
Home remedies or natural tick killers might repel ticks but they aren’t effective at keeping your dog fully safe. Compare chemical tick treatments or natural home remedy for ticks here!
Inspect the removed tick to see whether it appears intact, then clean the tool and bite site. Check the rest of your dog’s body because more than one tick may be present.
A small bump can remain temporarily after removal. Monitor the area for increasing redness, swelling, heat, discharge or persistent discomfort. Contact your vet if the site looks infected or does not settle.
Over the following days and weeks, watch for unusual tiredness, fever, reduced appetite, swollen joints, stiffness or lameness. These signs do not necessarily mean your dog has a tick-borne illness, but they require vet advice.
The Itch qualified Vet Team can help with any tick-related questions that you don’t want to pay a trip to the vets for. Contact our professionally trained SQPs here.
What is an SQP? See Itch Pet licensing and veterinary accreditations for more information.
Check your dog after walks through woodland, heathland, long grass or areas used by deer and livestock. Brush the coat and examine warm, sheltered areas of the body closely.
Your vet can recommend a suitable tablet, spot-on treatment or collar. No product replaces regular checks, but effective prevention can reduce the likelihood of attachment or kill ticks quickly after they attach. The Blue Cross recommends discussing the most suitable tick treatment with your vet if you’re not sure.
Ultimately, successful tick removal depends on calm handling, the correct tool and a gentle technique. Remove the parasite promptly, monitor your dog afterwards and take them to the vet if tick removal is difficult or your dog becomes unwell.
Ticks can crawl onto your pet at any time of the year, not just summer. If your dog loves a woodland walk or a trip to the beach, they’re likely to get a tick bite.
Ticks love long, thick pet fur which makes them hard to spot. Use Itch Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs to keep your pooch safe from fleas and ticks, and stop the chance of infection.
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The closest thing you’ll find to a real life vampire are ticks, those pesky parasites that can attach themselves to your beloved pets and cause a host of health issues. These blood-sucking arachnids are not only uncomfortable for your furry friends but can also transmit diseases. Recognising the appearance of ticks on your pets is essential for their well-being. Here we look into what ticks are, how to spot them on your dogs and cats, share pictures so you can easily identify them, discuss effective tick treatment options, and explore preventive measures. Let's uncover the secrets of identifying ticks and keeping your pets tick-free.
Dealing with ticks at home can be a cause for concern, especially when you're keen to keep your pets and family members safe. While ticks might be tiny, their potential health risks are significant. In the quest for tick control, many turn to home remedies, seeking natural solutions to eliminate these pests. This post explores what truly kills ticks at home, delves into common home remedies, and addresses the burning question: Do these remedies actually work? Additionally, we'll provide insights into tick treatments that have been proven effective. Let's unravel the world of tick control and find out if home remedies are up to the task!
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