How To Get Rid Of Ticks On Your Dog

If you find a tick on your dog, it can be unsettling, especially if your pup spends time hiking, playing in tall grass, or exploring wooded areas regularly.  While ticks are small, they can carry serious diseases that affect both pets and people, which makes it important to remove the ticks quickly. And prevent them from reoccurring.

The good news is that getting rid of ticks on your dog is usually straightforward if you know what to do.  By acting quickly, removing the tick properly, and taking steps to prevent future bites can help keep your dog healthy and comfortable throughout tick season.

Why Ticks Are Problematic For Dogs

Ticks survive by attaching themselves to animals and feeding on their blood. Unlike fleas, which move quickly through a dog's coat, ticks latch onto a dog’s skin and can remain attached for several days while they feed.

During that time, some ticks can transmit illnesses, including Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis. While not every tick carries a disease, if you remove the tick quickly, it can reduce the chances of transmission of any disease they might carry.

What Are The Symptoms If Your Dog Has Ticks?

If your dog has ticks, it will bury it’s mouth into your dog’s skin. You can determine if your dog has ticks by looking out for the following:

Small bumps: They feel similar to a new scab.

Visual appearance: Depending on how long they've been feeding (engorging on blood), they can look like a tiny spider or a smooth, grayish-brown to dark red bump. Their legs may be visible around the base.

Redness and Swelling: The bite area might appear mildly red, swollen, or inflamed. The immediate area might become inflamed, swollen, or itchy.

Your dog might also lick and scratch the area or if the tick is near his or her head which might cause your dog to shake his head.

How To Find Ticks on Your Dog

It’s always a good idea after a long hike or any outdoor adventure to do a brush or rub down on your dog, especially if you live in a tick prone area.

Ticks can be surprisingly easy to miss, especially on dogs with thick or long coats so run your hands slowly over your dog's body and try to feel for any small bumps attached to the skin.

Pay special attention to areas where ticks commonly hide, including around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, under the tail, around the eyelids, and in the armpit and groin areas. Some ticks look like tiny dark seeds, while larger, fed ticks may resemble small gray or brown beans attached to the skin.

The Safest Way To Remove a Tick From Your Dog

If you find a tick, as disturbing as they are, try to stay calm and gather the right supplies before you begin. A pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool works best for safely removing ticks from dogs.

Try the following:

1. Part your dog's fur around the tick.

Move your dog’s fur aside so you can clearly see where the tick is attached to the skin.

2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

Using tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grab the tick near its head or mouthparts rather than squeezing its body.

3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.

Slowly and firmly pull the tick straight out. Avoid twisting, jerking, or yanking, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and the tick will remain embedded in the skin.

4. Place the tick in a sealed container or bag.

Saving the tick can be helpful if your veterinarian wants to identify the species or if your dog later develops symptoms of a tick-borne illness.

5. Clean the bite area.

Wash the area with soap and water or use a pet-safe antiseptic to help prevent irritation or infection.

6. Wash your hands thoroughly.

Even if you wore gloves, wash your hands well after handling the tick and cleaning the area.

After you have removed the tick, make sure to watch your dog over the next week or so to make sure the tick is gone of if your dog has any new ones.

What You Shouldn’t Do When Removing a Tick

You may have heard old remedies involving petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, or burning the tick with a match. Veterinarians generally advise against these methods because they can irritate the tick and increase the likelihood of it releasing fluids back into your dog's bloodstream before detaching.

The safest and most effective approach is always the removing the tick by using tweezers or a tick-removal tool.

What If Part of the Tick Stays Behind?

Occasionally, part of a tick's mouthpiece may still be embedded in your dog’s skin after removal. If this happens, avoid digging into your dog's skin to remove it yourself.

In many cases, the remaining fragment will work its way out naturally as the skin heals. Keep the area clean and monitor it for redness, swelling, or discharge. If an irritation develops or the area does not improve, contact your veterinarian for advice.

When Should You Call Your Veterinarian?

Most tick bites heal without complications, but it's important to monitor your dog over the next several weeks after a tick bite. Contact your veterinarian if your dog develops lethargy, fever, limping, swollen joints, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior.

These symptoms can sometimes appear days or even weeks after exposure to certain tick-borne illnesses. Early diagnosis and treatment will always lead to better outcomes.

How To Prevent Ticks on Your Dog

Preventing ticks is much easier than dealing with them after they attach. Many veterinarians recommend year-round tick prevention, especially in regions where ticks remain active for much of the year.

Monthly chewable medication, topical treatments, tick collars, and prescription medications can all help protect your dog. Your veterinarian can recommend the best option based on your dog's age, health, and lifestyle.

It can also help that if you have a home to keep your grass trimmed, remove ant leaf litter, and avoid heavily wooded areas during peak tick season can also reduce exposure.

Should You Check Your Dog for Ticks Every Day?

If your dog spends time outdoors regularly, daily tick checks are a smart habit. Ticks generally need several hours to attach and begin feeding, so finding them early can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.

A quick inspection after walks, hikes, or trips to the park only takes a few minutes and can provide valuable peace of mind for dog parents.

The Bottom Line

Learning how to get rid of ticks on your dog is an important part of keeping your furry family member healthy and safe. Prompt removal, careful monitoring, and consistent prevention can greatly reduce the risks associated with tick bites.

While discovering a tick can be alarming, most dogs recover without any issues when pet parents act quickly and follow proper removal techniques. A few extra minutes spent checking your dog after outdoor adventures can go a long way toward protecting them from future problems.