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

Ticks are pesky little blood suckers that transmit infectious diseases such as 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 veterinarian 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:

• Pair of tweezers or tick-removal tool

• 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 your hands

Put on a pair of latex or rubber gloves to keep your hands from direct contact with the tick and bacteria.

2. Calm your dog

Your pet may get a little stressed when you approach them with tweezers and gloves. Soothe them 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.

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4. Save or photograph the tick

Your veterinarian 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. Get rid of the tick by either flushing it down the toilet or freezing 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

Throw away your gloves, disinfect your tweezers, and wash your hands.

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Proper tick removal only takes a few minutes once you’ve gathered your tools. You may be tempted to use your fingers to 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 do ticks look like on dogs?

Ticks can look a couple of different ways on dogs, depending on whether the critter is searching for a spot to feed or actively feeding. A tick that’s roaming around your dog’s fur will look like a small, flat disc. A tick that’s feeding will look like a swollen lump. 

Ticks come in shades of brown, gray, and black. Some may have a reddish coloring, too.

Adult ticks are about the size of an apple seed. Younger ticks are as tiny as a grain of sand or a poppy seed. You may want to grab a magnifying glass to look for ticks on your dog.

How to check your dog for ticks

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 only the size of a pinhead.

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. 

What are the dangers of incorrectly removing ticks?

“When you remove the tick, the goal is to get the whole tick, including the head,” said Zachary Nesbit, DVM, of Godley Station Animal Hospital in Pooler, 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. 

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 them.

“The true danger of a tick bite is tick-borne disease. They can be debilitating and cause life-threatening illness,” Nesbit said. “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.”  

What diseases do ticks transmit to dogs?

Ticks can infect your dog with a variety of diseases. Some of these can make your dog very sick and threaten their lives. 

Lyme disease

Lyme disease in dogs is most often spread by deer ticks or black-legged ticks. While canine Lyme disease has been reported in all 50 states, it’s more common in New England, the upper Midwest, and the Pacific Coast. 

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Joint pain

• Occasional lameness

• Swollen lymph nodes 

• Lethargy

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

The American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick are common carriers of the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They can be found primarily in the Southeast.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever symptoms in dogs include:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Swollen joints 

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Fluid buildup in the face or legs

Ehrlichiosis

Brown dog, lone star, and black-legged ticks transmit the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. It’s a serious, life-threatening disease in dogs. Brown dog ticks live throughout the country. Lone star and black-legged ticks are found mostly in the East and South. 

Dogs infected with ehrlichiosis may show these signs:  

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Bleeding

• Loss of appetite

• Eye swelling

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is most often spread by American dog and brown dog ticks. It can also spread through contact with an infected dog’s blood. 

Signs of babesiosis in dogs include:

• Fever

• Lethargy

• Low appetite

• Pale gums and eyelids

• Bleeding

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, gums, and eyes)

Anaplasmosis

Black-legged ticks transmit the bacteria that causes anaplasmosis. The disease is most common in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and West Coast. 

Anaplasmosis symptoms include:

• Fever 

• Loss of appetite 

• Lethargy  

• Dehydration 

• Lameness

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• In rare cases, bleeding from the nose, neck pain, and seizures 

If your dog has had a tick bite and becomes ill, take them to a veterinarian. Starting treatment right away for any symptoms listed below is key to their recovery.

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 veterinarian:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Slow movements

• 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

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 veterinarian may recommend a chewable tablet. 

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

• Age

• Weight

• Breed

• Medications 

• Location

• Lifestyle

No matter which medication you use, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some preventive medicines are given once a month, while others are given 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.

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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 content creator who focuses on 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.

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