If your dog enjoys going outside and exploring the wilderness, chances are they may encounter ticks every now and then. When you live in or visit a tick-prone area, your dog is even more likely to be exposed.

So, what can you do if your dog has a tick? What is the best method of removing the tick, and what are you supposed to do afterward? In the article below, we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to take when dealing with ticks on your dog. 

How to Check Your Dog for Ticks

After your dog has been outside for any length of time, it’s important to check them for ticks. Follow these steps to check your dog for ticks.

• Run your hand over your dog’s body to feel for any bumps. If you find any abnormalities on their skin, part the fur and take a closer look to see if there may be a tick.

• If you aren’t able to determine if your dog has a tick, another option is to comb through their fur with a flea comb. While a flea comb won’t remove a tick, it will allow you to take a deeper look through your dog’s fur, which is especially helpful in dogs with long or thick, dense coats.

• Ticks are most likely to hide in moist areas, as well as in skin folds and any place on your dog where skin meets at a tight corner. Important spots to check are in and around the ear flaps, under your dog’s collar, between their toes, under their tail, around each eyelid, under their front legs, and between their back legs.

What to Do if You Find a Tick on Your Dog

Check for Buried Ticks in Your Dog's Skin

If you locate a tick on your dog’s skin, you’ll need to check the tick and see if it has burrowed under the skin, as it may have bitten your dog but not quite burrowed beneath the skin yet. Either way, if the skin is broken at all, you’ll need to proceed with the next steps on this list.

If the tick has not burrowed under the skin and is just clinging to your dog’s hair, you can put on gloves and pick it off of your dog. Flush it down the toilet to dispose of it. A tick that has not broken the skin cannot transmit disease to your dog.

VEG ER for Pets is open 24 hours a day with prompt, compassionate emergency vet care for dogs and all pets.

How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

1. Prepare Tools for Tick Removal on Dogs

If the tick has broken the skin, you’ll need to prepare to remove it. Gather the tools you’ll need before you begin. You should put on a pair of gloves to protect yourself, and you should also have a pair of sharp tweezers or a tick-removing tool. Additionally, make sure you have rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and some cotton swabs handy, as well as a damp, soapy washcloth.

Once you have gathered everything, call your dog over and offer treats and attention. You may need assistance from another adult family member, especially if you have a very nervous dog.

2. Grip the Tick the Right Way

Part your dog’s hair and locate the tick. Once you are sure you’ve got the tick in view, use the sharp tweezers or tick removal tool to grip the tick. Place the sharp part of the tweezers or the pointed ends of the tool under the tick’s mouthparts, where the head attaches to the body.

It is important to grip the tick in the proper location. Failing to do so may cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain buried in your dog’s skin, which will make them much harder to remove afterward.

3. Pull Tick Straight Up Off of Dog

With the tick carefully gripped in the tweezers or tick removal tool, pull straight up. Do not pull at an angle from your dog’s skin, as this may also cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. Apply light pressure on your dog’s skin to pull down against the tick removal motion as well.

In most instances, the tick will pull away from the dog’s skin after a few moments of pulling. If the tick is fully buried, you may need to try this step a few times before you get it to let go, or you may need to consult your veterinarian for assistance.

Visit your nearest VEG emergency animal hospital if your dog shows any symptoms of illness after a tick bite.

4. Clean the Tick Bite Wound on Your Dog

   
   

Clean the bite wound thoroughly with a damp, soapy washcloth. Dry the affected area and then apply rubbing alcohol or peroxide with a cotton swab to further clean the bite. If you like, you can also apply a bit of antibiotic ointment to prevent the risk of infection.

With the tick completely removed and the bite cleaned, make sure you reward your dog with treats and praise for being so patient! Your dog may feel uncomfortable or upset from the experience, so it’s important to create a positive association with the process and minimize fear or anxiety as a result.

5. Save the Tick You Removed from Your Dog

   
   

If you live in an area where Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses are common, save the removed tick in a clear plastic bag and take it to your vet as soon as possible. The vet can check the tick and let you know if it is a type that may potentially carry disease. Your vet may recommend testing your dog’s blood in the future to ensure no diseases have been transmitted.

If you are unable to save the tick, a vet visit is still highly recommended. If you’re unable to visit your vet, you’ll need to carefully monitor your dog. At the first sign of illness or infection, take your dog to the vet to be checked out immediately.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Ticks

There are a number of preventative measures you can take to help keep your dog tick-free, and continued use will yield the best results. Topical tick-preventative medications can be applied year-round to help protect your dog from ticks. Oral tick-preventative medications are also an effective treatment. Wearable options like tick collars are also available for tick prevention in dogs. If your dog is over eight weeks of age and you live near a wooded area or in an area where Lyme disease is common, your dog should receive the Lyme disease vaccine. 

While many over-the-counter preventative options are available, prescription medications are typically safer and more effective. Always consult your vet to determine the best treatment for your pet.

When to Visit a Vet if Your Dog was Bitten by a Tick

With the help of this guide, you should be ready to respond appropriately the next time your dog has a tick. Keep in mind that tick-borne diseases are common in dogs, so you should follow up with your vet if your dog is showing any signs of sickness following a tick bite.

For more information on tick prevention and treatment, contact VEG ER for Pets by calling one of our locations. We have locations all over the country that are open 24/7, and our team is ready to guide you in the right direction when it comes to your pet’s health.