How To Get A Tick Off A Dog – What to Do and What Not to Do

Ticks are one of the last things that a pet owner ever wants to think about – let alone deal with. However, when your furry friend gets an infestation from a blood-sucking parasite, it’s important that you deal with it as quickly as possible. Something that might come as a surprise is that ticks are (thankfully!) quite easy to deal with. So, what are you waiting for? Below we are going to outline the quickest and most effective way of removing ticks from your dog. 

Table of Contents

• What Is A Tick And Why Do We Hate Them? 
• Removing The Tick From Your Dog
  • Tweezers
  • Tick removal hook
• How Not To Remove A Tick From Your Dog
• Summary – How To Get A Tick Off A Dog
• FAQs

What Is A Tick And Why Do We Hate Them?

Fleas and ticks are just a few issues that can arise from being a dog owner. Ticks are known for carrying infectious diseases and will happily share them around any organism nearby, such as dogs, horses, and even humans. 

These diseases can include babesiosis, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis – but there are many more to be cautious of too.

Ticks can spread these diseases within a matter of hours after biting you or your dog, so removing them sooner rather than later will prevent the likelihood of your dog suffering from the sickness.

Ticks are small parasites that have a one-piece body, with legs that secrete a sticky substance to help keep them firmly planted on their food source. This makes it a little more difficult to remove them since you can’t simply flick them off of your dog. 

There are over 200 different types of tick species in the United States alone and they can range in size from a mere millimeter to a couple of centimeters. Now, how do we remove these horrible things?

(By the way, did you know cat and dog fleas are different?)

Removing The Tick From Your Dog

There are a few ways that you can remove ticks from a dog’s skin, which we will look at now. 

Tweezers

Possibly the simplest way to remove a tick is to use tweezers -1 but wait! Before you run to your bathroom cabinet and find your household tweezers, you need to make sure that they’re the right design. 

Most household’s will use tweezers that have an angled, blunt edge that is perfect for plucking out unwanted hairs and splinters from the skin. Unfortunately, this design is likely to break the tick’s body in half and increase the chances of diseases spreading over your dog’s skin. 

So, if you’re planning on using the tweezer method, make sure that you have fine-point tweezers. These will give you a more precise hold on the tick to ensure that it is removed in one piece. 

1. To start, you’ll need to spread your dog’s fur so that the tick is fully exposed. If possible, you want to make sure that no fur can be grasped onto when you use the tweezers. If you grab some fur your dog might react badly causing you to tear the tick or hurt your pet. 
2. Lower your tweezers so that they are either side of the tick and carefully close them around the body. Firmly but slowly, pull straight up until the tick is clear from the skin.

One common problem that pet owners find with the tweezer method is that the tick’s mouth can break off and remain embedded in the skin. This is smaller than the original body, so can be much harder for you to remove. 

Tick removal hook

A tick removal hook is sometimes the preferred method of removing ticks as it is a tool specifically designed to remove the parasite from skin. The tool consists of an angled hook that can pinch the tick’s entire length and remove it all at once. 

If you live in an area that ticks are a common problem, you might want to invest in a tick removal hook. There are many options on the market which can come with other useful gadgets that you might want to try on your dog’s infestation.

Many tick removal hooks will come with their own unique instructions, but the premise is usually the same – hold the tick and twist it off the skin. However, make sure that you read the instructions of the hook that you have chosen as not to miss an important step. 

Here is how to keep other crawlies out of your home as a whole.

How Not To Remove A Tick From Your Dog

It might sound like a lot of work to go and turn your entire house upside down in search of a pair of tweezers, which could be anywhere. And, you’re staring right at the tick as we speak. So why can’t you just reach down and pinch it off with your fingers? 

This is the worst way to remove a tick. Not only are you risking tearing its mouth off of its body and leaving it lodged in your dog’s skin, but you’re also risking spreading any diseases that it might be carrying onto you and therefore your family. 

So, never remove a tick with your bare hands. Always use a tool, whether it be a pair of fine-point tweezers or a tick removal hook. 

Once you have successfully removed the tick, wash your hands thoroughly and carefully. Next, clean the bite with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball, and also clean the tool properly. These steps will prevent any diseases that the tick was carrying from spreading. 

If you are concerned that the tick’s mouth has remained embedded in your dog’s skin, consult a veterinarian to prevent you from doing further damage. If you’re worried about removing the tick yourself, you can always ask a professional to do it for you instead. 

Summary – How To Get A Tick Off A Dog

So, there we have it – two easy and quick ways to remove a tick from your dog’s skin. Ticks are harmful and irritating pests. It’s important that you remove them as quickly as possible after you spot them. Keep your dog clean (while using proper shampoo, not just human soap like Dove) to keep their hygiene excellent.

Tweezers are helpful if you have the right kind lying around the house. Otherwise a tick removal tool can be bought for an affordable price. 

Remember, remove the tick carefully and always clean everything right away. If you’re worried about removing it correctly, consult a professional – better safe than sorry!

FAQs