How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

Guide Note

Learning to remove ticks from your dog is a critical skill that not only can save Fido's life, but prevent you or a family member from contracting Lyme Disease.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Using Tweezers
• Step 2: Alternative Methods
• Step 3: Following Tick Removal
• Conclusion

Tick Removal Tips

1. Find special tick removal tweezers to make tick removal easier and more precise.
2. Grasp the tick by its embedded mouth parts, and don't squeeze too hard.
3. Pull out your tick using a steady motion; don't jerk or twist the tweezers.
4. If no tweezers are in sight, try "turning" the tick until you can remove it. It may even walk out on its own if you're lucky.
5. To avoid ticks in the future, stay on trails and out of heavily infested areas.
6. Beware of commercial tick prevention products, as they may contain harmful chemicals dangerous to your pet.

• by Tracy C.

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Bruce)

• Any walk through the woods should be followed by a thorough tick inspection, both of your own body and clothing and your dog's as well. Because dogs can carry Lyme Disease-carrying ticks, it's not only important for Fido's health that you learn to detect and remove ticks, but for yours as well. In the summer months especially, when ticks are spotted more frequently and you're likely spending more time outdoors, it's important to know the simple steps to healthy tick removal. Keep reading to learn the most basic method as well as a couple of alternatives, plus how to avoid ticks in the first place.

Step 1: Using Tweezers

• Wielding a set of tweezers is the most often used method for tick removal.

1. Use a pair of sharp-pointed tweezers or specially designed tick removal tweezers. Find tick removal tweezers here at Amazon.com.¹
2. Place your tweezers as close to the skin's surface as you can before grasping the tick.²
3. Grab the tick as close to its "embedded mouth parts" as possible, avoiding squeezing too hard on the head or body of the tick.¹
4. Then pull straight up, using even pressure.²
5. Do not twist, turn or pull haphazardly at the tick, as this may mean you only remove parts of the tick, leaving the rest behind to cause infection or disease.²

Step 2: Alternative Methods

Ticks come in all shapes and sizes. (Creative Commons photo by Waldo Jaquith)

• Because so many dog owners find so many ticks on their furry friends, alternative methods for tick removal abound.

1. This video shows a veterinarian demonstrating various tick removal products that dislodge ticks from your pet's skin.³
2. This vet also demonstrates a twist method if you are out in the woods and don't have access to any tools. The method simply involves twisting the tick with your fingers until it comes out on its own.³
3. Another pet owner advises "dizzying" the tick by turning it in circles with your finger (similar to the twist method above), until it simply crawls out. This is demonstrated on the embedded video.⁴

Step 3: Following Tick Removal

1. Don't squeeze the tick's body, as you may release infectious material.²
2. Be sure to wash hands immediately after removing the tick.²
3. And try to save the tick you've just removed, keeping it in a jar or plastic container. You can drop it off at your local public health lab so it can be tested, helping scientists understand important tick and animal patterns in your area.¹

Tick Prevention

Now your pup can sleep easy. (Creative Commons photo by Bruce)

1. Try to avoid areas that are heavily tick infested, particularly in spring and summer.⁵
2. Around your house, try removing excess leaves, brush and wood piles to discourage tick-carrying animals from living there and passing ticks on to your dog.⁵
3. Be sure to talk to your vet about any over the counter tick products, which may contain harmful chemicals.
4. You may want to try simply keeping grass mowed short, washing pet bedding frequently, and combing your pet often to watch for ticks.⁶
5. And just as you should be doing regular tick checks on your body (try wearing light colored clothing when hiking so ticks are easy to spot, and tuck pant legs into socks), you also need to check your dog for ticks after a walk through the woods or another outdoor area that might carry ticks.⁵
6. Use a flea comb to check for ticks and feel along your dog's body for any lumps that might be ticks already burrowing into the skin.⁶

Conclusion

• Learning to remove ticks safely from your pet is an important skill for any dog owner, especially in the summer or if the two of you are big fans of off-trail hiking. Check frequently for ticks, after every walk, and think about investing in a pair of special tick tweezers (sometimes called "nippers"), which, for an average cost of $5-7, could be well worth it!

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References for How To Remove a Tick from a Dog

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Anapsid.org: How to Remove Ticks
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} eHow: How to Remove a Tick from Your Dog
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Expert Village: How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet
4. ↑ Instructables: How to Remove a Tick
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} CDC: Lyme Disease and Animals
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} The Humane Society: What You Should Know about Flea and Tick Products

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