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Should I be worried if I find a tick?
- By Hannah
-
- September 30, 2026
- 1 MIN READ
Finding a tick is not usually a reason to panic, but an attached tick should be removed promptly. Not every tick carries disease, and finding one does not automatically mean you or your pet has an infection.
If it is on your dog or cat
Use a tick-removal hook and slide it underneath the tick close to the skin, then gently rotate until the tick releases. Avoid squeezing its body or pulling it off with your fingers. Ask your vet practice for help if you cannot remove it safely. Afterwards, clean the area and monitor your pet. Contact your vet if any tick parts remain, the bite becomes red or swollen, or your pet develops unusual tiredness, reduced appetite or other signs of illness. A dog that remains well after complete tick removal does not normally need a veterinary appointment just because it had a tick.
If it is on you
Using a tick hook again is best or fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull steadily upwards. Do not twist when using tweezers, the technique differs from a twisting tick hook. Clean the bite and your hands afterwards. Seek an urgent medical care if you develop an expanding circular or oval rash, fever, headache, aching muscles or other flu-like symptoms within the following three months. A Lyme disease rash does not always resemble a bullseye, and some people develop no obvious rash.
If it is loose in the house
A tick that has not bitten you cannot transmit an infection through a bite. However, check yourself and your pets for others. Place the tick in a sealed container or wrap it tightly in tape rather than crushing it with your fingers. Never burn an attached tick or coat it with petroleum jelly, nail varnish or other substances to make it detach. Here's what kills ticks instantly - Home remedies vs tick treatments!
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