Tick on Your Dog? Here’s the Right Way to Remove It

Ticks are pesky little blood suckers that transmit infectious diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. They infect both humans and our furry friends. 

There’s a proper way to remove a tick from your dog to lower their chances of infection. Here, you’ll learn the right way to remove a tick, when to see a vet about a tick bite, and how to protect your pet year-round.

What’s the best way to remove a tick from your dog?

To remove a tick, you’ll need several tools to do the job right.

Gather the following:

• A pair of tweezers or a tick removal tool

• A pet-safe antiseptic (such as chlorhexidine) for your dog’s tick bite wound

• Gloves to keep your hands from coming into contact with the tick

• Disinfectant for your gloves and tweezers

Then follow these steps:

1. Protect yourself: Put on a pair of latex or rubber gloves. 

2. Calm your dog: Soothe your pet if they’re anxious.

3. Use tweezers or a tick remover: No matter which tool you use, grab the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Pull straight up with a gentle but firm tugging motion. Try not to squish the tick. The fluids it carries could infect your animal.

4. Save or dispose of the tick: Your vet may need to identify the tick if your dog gets sick. To save the tick, place it in a container with rubbing alcohol. You can also take a photo of the tick. To get rid of a tick, either flush it down the toilet or freeze it in a plastic bag before throwing it in the trash.

5. Apply antiseptic: Disinfect the bite area on your dog with a pet-safe antiseptic.

6. Clean up: Disinfect (or throw away) your gloves and tweezers, and wash your hands.

Is there a way to remove ticks from a dog instantly?

Proper tick removal only takes a few minutes once you’ve gathered your tools. You may be tempted to use your fingers and get rid of it quickly, but that’s not a good idea. You can spread infection to your fingers and you may not remove the tick entirely. Taking the time to do it right will be best for you and your pet.

What are the dangers of incorrectly removing ticks?

“When you remove the tick, the goal is to get the whole tick, including the head,” says Zachary Nesbit, DVM, of Godley Station Animal Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. “If the head is left behind, it can be a source of infection.”

Squeezing the tick so that it bursts can also spread infectious fluids. 

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

How Often Should You Groom Your Dog, and Is a Professional Groomer Worth It?

Hot Spots on Dogs: Learn How to Recognize and Treat Them

Asking Yourself, ‘Do I Need Pet Insurance?’ Here’s Why I Decided Not to Get It

What Are the Best Options to Kill Ticks on Your Dog Quickly?

View more

Do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline), nail polish remover, or heat to draw out the tick. You might have heard that these methods work. But they will not remove the tick properly and may prolong its life on your pet. The longer the critter is attached to your pup, the more time it has to infect your pet.

“The true danger of a tick bite is tick-borne disease. They can be debilitating and cause life-threatening illness,” says Nesbit. “Most of these diseases require the tick to be attached for  more than 24 hours. So removing ticks when you find them and keeping your dog on tick prevention can keep them from getting sick.”  

When should you see a vet about ticks on your dog?

Your dog may not show signs of sickness for 7 to 21 days after a tick bite. If the bite site looks irritated or infected, or if you notice any of the following symptoms, take them to the vet:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Moves slowly

• Inability to move one or more legs

• Not wanting to be touched

• Bruising on gums or stomach

• Nosebleeds

• Nervous system problems 

• Fatigue

• Swollen joints or lymph nodes

How do you check for ticks on dogs?

Ticks live in woods, forests, and backyards across the country. That’s why it’s important to check your dog for ticks whenever they spend time outdoors. Otherwise, you probably won’t know that your dog has a tick. Most dogs have no symptoms from an actual tick bite. They won’t usually scratch or chew the area. 

Here’s how to look for ticks on your furry friend: 

1. Run your fingers over your dog’s neck, back, haunches, and belly. 

2. Look between their toes, in their ears, and on their face, including their eyelids. 

3. Don’t forget to check their tail and under their collar.

4. If you see a small bump, look closely to see if it’s a tick. You may need a magnifying glass, as some ticks are the size of a pinhead.

When and where are dogs most likely to get ticks?

Ticks can be present all year long, but they’re most active from March to November. They live in wooded areas, tall grass, and piles of leaves. They may also live in the shrubs around your house or in your garden.

It’s a common misconception that ticks jump or drop from trees, but that’s not the case. Ticks can only crawl. They grasp onto an animal as it walks past a blade of grass or leaf debris. Then it moves around on the animal's body in search of a good place to feed. 

What are the best ways to prevent ticks from biting your dog?

There are many tick prevention medications available for dogs. Most are topical liquids that are combined with flea prevention and applied to the skin. Others are medicated collars. If your dog’s skin gets irritated easily, your vet may recommend a chewable tablet. 

The best tick prevention for your pup will depend on several factors, including:

• Age

• Weight

• Breed

• Other medications they take

• Where you live

• Lifestyle

No matter what medication you use, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some preventive medicines are given once a month and others once every 3 months.

The medication’s label will include a weight range. Make sure you get the one that’s right for your dog’s weight.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a versatile health and medical content creator who writes about acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts