Finding a small, blood-sucking hitchhiker on your furry best friend can be a stomach-turning moment. Ticks are more than just gross; they can carry diseases that affect both your pet and your family. If you’ve just noticed a lump during a belly rub, you need to act quickly but calmly. Knowing exactly what to do if you find a tick on dog ensures you remove the parasite without leaving the head behind or risking infection.
Table of Contents
- Identifying a Tick on Your Dog
- The Tool Kit: What You Need
- How to Safely Remove the Tick
- Mistakes to Avoid (Don’t Do This!)
- Aftercare and Symptom Tracking
- Prevention Tips for the Future
Identifying a Tick on Your Dog
Before you start pulling, make sure it is actually a tick. Ticks often feel like a small, hard, rounded bump on the skin. They vary in color from reddish-brown to grayish-blue when engorged with blood. If you look closely, you should see tiny legs where the bump meets the skin.
Be careful not to mistake a skin tag or a small nipple for a tick! If the “bump” has hair growing out of it or doesn’t have legs, leave it alone and consult your vet. Just as you would monitor a red eye, monitoring skin changes is vital for dog health.
The Tool Kit: What You Need
Don’t try to pull a tick out with your fingernails. You need the right supplies to do it safely:
- Fine-tipped tweezers or a dedicated tick removal tool.
- Isopropyl alcohol or antiseptic wipes.
- Disposable gloves to protect yourself from bacteria.
- A small jar or container with a lid (to keep the tick for testing).
- Dog treats to keep your pup distracted and happy.
How to Safely Remove the Tick
Follow these steps carefully to ensure the entire tick is removed successfully.
Step 1: Prep the Area
Part the fur around the tick so you have a clear view of the parasite. If your dog is wiggly, have a friend hold them or offer a spoonful of peanut butter as a distraction.
Step 2: The Grasp
Using your tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the dog’s skin as possible. You want to be grabbing the head/mouthparts, not the fat, squishy body. Squeezing the body can force infected fluids into your dog’s bloodstream.
Step 3: The Pull
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not jerk or twist the tick. Twisting can break the head off, leaving it embedded in the skin. If the head does break off, don’t panic. You can try to remove it like a splinter, but if it’s too deep, let the skin heal over it; it will usually work its way out naturally.
Step 4: Cleanup
Once the tick is out, clean the bite site with alcohol or soap and water. Clean your tweezers too. Then, drop the tick into a jar filled with alcohol to kill it. Saving it helps the vet identify it if your dog gets sick later.
Mistakes to Avoid (Don’t Do This!)
When searching for what to do if you find a tick on dog, you might find some “old wives’ tales” that are actually dangerous. Avoid these methods at all costs:
Nail polish/VaselineThe goal is to suffocate the tick, but it takes too long and increases infection risk.Dish soap rubbingAgitating the tick makes it release more bacteria into your dog.
| Method | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|
| Burning with a match | Can burn your dog and cause the tick to vomit toxins into the wound. |
Aftercare and Symptom Tracking
After removal, the hard part is over, but you aren’t done yet. Some dogs react to tick bites just like they might if a dog steps on a bee—there might be slight swelling.
Watch for several days for any of these “red flag” symptoms:
- Lethargy or extreme tiredness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fever or shivering.
- Lameness (limping) that shifts from one leg to another.
- A large “bullseye” rash around the bite.
If your dog already has issues like diarrhea, adding a systemic infection like Lyme disease can be very taxing on their immune system. Contact your vet immediately if you notice these changes.
Prevention Tips for the Future
The best way to handle ticks is to keep them off your dog in the first place. Use a vet-recommended flea and tick preventative (pills, topicals, or collars). Check your dog daily after walks, especially in “hot spots” like between toes, inside ears, and under the armpits.
Conclusion
Knowing what to do if you find a tick on dog is a vital skill for every pet owner. By staying calm, using the right tools, and pulling straight out, you minimize the risk of disease. Remember to never squeeze the tick’s body and always monitor your pup for a few weeks after the encounter. If you are unsure or the bite site looks infected, a quick call to your veterinarian is always the best path forward. For more tips on handling weird outdoor encounters, learn more at our dog guide home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the tick head stays in?
Don’t worry. The head alone cannot transmit disease. Clean the area and leave it be; your dog’s body will likely push it out like a splinter over time.
Can I get sick from my dog’s tick?
Yes, but not directly from the dog. Ticks can crawl from your dog onto you. Always wear gloves and wash your hands after removal.
How long does a tick have to be on a dog to cause Lyme?
Generally, a tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Should I take my dog to the vet after removing a tick?
If the tick was engorged (fat) or you live in a high-risk area, call your vet. They may suggest a blood test in 4-6 weeks to screen for diseases.
