At a glance
- The safest way to remove a tick from a dog is to use a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers, working close to the skin without squeezing the body.
- Stay calm, keep your dog still, and remove the tick slowly and steadily before cleaning the area and your hands.
- Avoid common mistakes like twisting incorrectly, burning the tick or using substances like oils or alcohol to force detachment.
- Monitor the bite site and your dog’s behaviour for signs of irritation, infection or illness in the days after removal.
- Check your dog regularly, especially after walks in long grass or woodland, to catch and remove ticks early.
- Contact your vet if you can’t remove the tick, it’s in a sensitive area or your dog shows signs of illness.
Think you’ve found a tick on your dog? Take a minute. Try not to worry. Ticks on dogs are common and can usually be removed safely at home if you stay calm and use the right method.
As long as you’re sure it’s not something else, you may only need a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers to get rid of a tick. This guide will walk you through the process and show you your options after removal.
What is the safest way to remove a tick from a dog?
The safest way to remove a tick from a dog is to remove it with the proper tools, while avoiding squeezing, crushing or pulling at the swollen body.
A dedicated tick remover is often the easiest option for dogs because it’s designed to work through fur. Fine-tipped tweezers can also be used carefully if you don’t have a tick tool.
Try to keep your dog still and calm. If they’re wriggly, ask another person to gently support them while you remove the tick. If the tick is near the eye, inside the ear, in a sensitive area, you don't feel confident removing or there are more than two, it's best to ask your vet to help to ensure it's safe removal.
Safe dog tick removal boils down to a few simple steps:
- Get close to the skin
- Don’t squeeze the tick’s body
- Remove steadily and gently
- Clean the area afterwards
- Monitor your dog over the following days and weeks
It’s important not to squeeze the tick’s body as it will regurgitate its stomach contents and saliva into the bloodstream of your dog. This significantly increases the risk of contracting a vector-borne disease such as Lyme Disease.
Checking for ticks and removing them should be part of your wider dog healthcare routine, especially if your dog often walks through long grass, woodland or areas with wildlife. Some areas in the UK are known hot spots for ticks so it's good to be aware of the prevalence in your area.
How to remove a tick from your dog, step-by-step
Follow these steps for safe dog tick removal:
1. Check it’s a tick
Ticks can sometimes be mistaken for skin tags, nipples, small lumps or scabs. Part the fur and look closely. A tick has legs and will usually be attached at one point on the skin.
2. Choose the right tool
Use a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers. Avoid broad cosmetic tweezers where possible, as they can squash the tick.
3. Expose the tick
Gently part your dog’s fur so you can see the tick and the skin around it. Position your tool at skin level, not around the swollen body.
4. Remove the tick gently
The right movement depends on the tool you’re using.
With fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with slow, steady pressure. Don’t twist or jerk.
With a tick hook or tick twister, slide the tool under the tick and follow the product instructions. Many are designed to twist and lift gently until the tick releases.
5. Check the bite site
If the tick appears whole, move on to cleaning. If you suspect a small part has been left behind, it’s best to contact your vet so that they can assess if intervention is required to remove any remaining parts.
6. Clean the area and your hands
Clean the bite area with soap and water, warm salty water or a pet-appropriate antiseptic if suitable. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
7. Dispose of the tick safely
Don’t crush the tick with your fingers. Seal it in a container, wrap it in tape or dispose of it securely.
If you’re not confident about removing the tick, ask your vet for their expert advice.
Should I use a tick remover or tweezers?
A tick remover is often preferred for dogs because it’s designed to work through fur and helps reduce the chance of squeezing the tick’s body. Fine-tipped tweezers are also a useful fallback if you don’t have a tick tool to hand.
With tweezers, you’d usually pull upward with slow, steady pressure. With a tick hook or twister, you should follow the instructions for that device, which may involve twisting and lifting.
Avoid using your fingers, fingernails or broad tweezers. They’re more likely to squeeze or break the tick, which increases the risk of contracting a vector-borne disease.
What not to do when removing a tick
Some common tick removal methods can make things worse or delay safe removal. Stay calm and avoid anything that irritates, burns or squeezes the tick. Don’t:
- Pull the tick off with your fingers
- Squeeze, squash or puncture the tick’s body
- Burn the tick with a match
- Cover the tick in Vaseline, petroleum jelly, nail varnish, oils or lotions
- Pour alcohol onto the tick before removal to make it detach
- Keep digging at the skin if part of the tick seems left behind
These things can irritate the tick, delay removal or increase the risk of the tick vomiting into your pet's bloodstream. Burning can also injure your pet.
Alcohol can be useful for disposal after the tick has been removed, but it shouldn’t be used to try to make the tick detach from your dog.
What if the tick’s head stays in my dog?
What many people call the tick head is actually the retained mouthparts. This means a small part of the tick’s mouth area might remain in the skin after removal.
Try not to panic. Don’t keep picking, squeezing or digging at the skin, as this can cause more irritation and risk infection. Contact your vet if:
- Any tick mouthparts remain in the skin
- The area becomes swollen, hot, red or painful
- You notice discharge or bleeding
- Your dog keeps licking, scratching or bothering the area
- The tick was in a sensitive place
- Your dog seems unwell after the bite
If removal was incomplete and you’re worried, it’s always a good idea to ask your vet for advice.
What should I do after removing a tick from my dog?
After removing a tick, clean the bite area, wash your hands and keep an eye on your dog. Most dogs are fine after a tick is removed, but aftercare helps you spot anything that needs attention.
Clean the bite area
Use simple, gentle cleaning. Soap and water, warm salty water or a pet-appropriate antiseptic might be suitable. Avoid other products unless your vet has advised them. Wash your hands afterwards, even if you wore gloves.
Monitor the bite site
A little local irritation can happen after a tick bite. What matters is whether it settles or gets worse. Watch for:
- Worsening redness
- Heat
- Swelling
- Discharge
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Repeated licking, scratching or rubbing
If you see any of the signs listed above you should contact your vet.
Watch your dog’s general health
Some tick-related illnesses can develop later, so keep an eye on appetite, energy, movement and comfort. Changes in what your dog eats can often be a clear indication that something’s not quite right.
When should I call a vet after a tick bite?
You don’t need to panic every time you find a tick on your dog, but some situations do need veterinary advice. Call your vet if:
- You can’t remove the tick safely
- The tick is near the eye, inside the ear or in another awkward place
- There are several ticks
- You think part of the tick is still embedded or the area looks irritated
- The bite area becomes hot, swollen, painful or discharging
- Your dog develops fever, lethargy, reduced appetite or lameness
- Your dog has swollen or painful joints
- You notice swollen lymph nodes, pale gums or dark urine
- Your dog has recently travelled abroad or was imported
Swollen lymph nodes in dogs are a sign that the immune system is actively fighting off an infection, inflammation, or disease. You are most likely to feel them under their jaw, in front of their shoulders, armpits, the groin area and behind their knees.
Getting timely advice from your vet can be important if something suggests more than a straightforward tick bite.
What does a tick look like on a dog?
Ticks are small external parasites with eight legs. They feed on the blood of animals and humans. They can’t fly or jump, but they crawl onto dogs when they brush past grass, leaves or vegetation.
There are around 850 tick species worldwide but the ticks most likely to affect UK pets are Ixodes species, often linked with sheep, deer and hedgehogs.
A tick can be very small before feeding, sometimes around the size of a pinhead. Once it has fed, it can become much larger and look swollen or rounded. Ticks can look grey, brown or dark depending on the species and how long they’ve been attached.
Because ticks can look like small lumps, skin tags or scabs, don’t pull at anything unless you’re sure. Part the fur, check for legs and look for a clear attachment point.
Where should I check my dog for ticks?
Ticks often attach in areas where the skin is thinner, the fur is thicker or the dog is harder to check. After walks, especially in long grass or woodland, run your hands gently over your dog’s body and part the fur as you go. Be sure to check:
- Ears and around the ears
- Face and muzzle
- Neck and under the collar
- Armpits
- Chest and belly
- Groin
- Legs
- Feet and between toes
- Around the tail
- Skin folds
Dogs with curly, dense or longer coats might need more careful checking. Dogs with floppy ears might also need extra attention around the ears and head.
Where do dogs pick up ticks in the UK?
Dogs can pick up ticks in many UK environments. They’re not only a countryside or woodland issue. Ticks can be found in:
- Woodland
- Long grass
- Grassland
- Moorland
- Heathland
- Scrub and wooded edges
- Urban parks
- Gardens
- Allotments
Ticks don’t jump or fly. Dogs usually pick them up when they brush past vegetation, where ticks are waiting to attach.
The most abundant and widespread UK tick species is called Ixodes ricinus. Ixodes hexagonus is also relevant in companion animals. Dermacentor reticulatus is rarer, but it matters because of its link with babesiosis risk in some areas.
Adult ticks often feed on larger animals such as deer, sheep and dogs, which helps explain why tick risk is higher in areas with wildlife or grazing animals.
You don’t need to know the species to remove a tick safely, but it’s helpful to understand that UK tick risk can vary by habitat, region and season.
When is tick season in the UK?
Ticks can be found throughout the year in the UK, but they’re generally most active from spring to autumn.
Your dog’s risk could be higher after walks through long grass, woodland, moorland, heathland or areas with wildlife. Local climate and habitat also play a part, so tick exposure can vary from one area to another.
It’s sensible to check your dog after walks all year round. A quick tick check as part of your normal post-walk routine can help you spot and remove ticks early.
What diseases can ticks give dogs in the UK?
Ticks can carry infections, but not every tick carries disease and not every tick bite makes a dog ill. Ticks can transmit bacteria, viruses and other parasitic infections. Heavy tick burdens can also contribute to anaemia, especially in young or vulnerable animals.
Lyme disease in dogs
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria carried by some ticks. It’s the tick-borne disease most often discussed in UK dog advice. Possible signs in dogs can include:
- Fever
- Tiredness or lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Lameness
- Swollen or painful joints
- Swollen lymph nodes
Not every tick carries Lyme disease, and not every infected dog becomes unwell. The PDSA states around 1.5% of ticks across the UK carry Borrelia, bacteria primarily responsible for Lyme disease, while a UK study of ticks collected from dogs in Cumbria found bacteria that cause Lyme disease in just over 2% of ticks.
These figures aren’t a reason to panic, but the context is important to understand that ticks can be dangerous to your dog.
Babesiosis and other tick-borne diseases
Babesiosis, a tick-borne disease in dogs caused by parasites that attack and destroy red blood cells, is less common, but it’s relevant in some parts of the UK. Signs that need urgent veterinary advice can include lethargy, fever, pale gums or dark urine.
Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne bacterial disease, is also relevant to the UK, it’s considered endemic in wooded and grassy areas across the UK. If your dog seems unwell after a tick bite, make sure you speak to your vet.
Can ticks affect humans too?
Yes. Ticks pose a threat to both humans and dogs. Because humans are also susceptible to Lyme disease from an infected bite, it is crucial to remain vigilant and check both yourself and your dog after spending time outdoors. After walks in areas where ticks could be present, check yourself as well as your dog. If you’re worried about a tick bite on yourself or another person, seek advice from the NHS, your GP or urgent care if needed.
How can I help prevent ticks on my dog?
Tick prevention works best as a routine, not a one-off task. Regular checks, sensible walking habits and appropriate parasite protection all play a role.
You can help reduce tick risk by:
- Checking your dog after walks
- Paying extra attention after long grass, woodland, moorland, heathland and park walks
- Sticking to clearer paths where practical
- Keeping a tick remover in your dog’s first-aid kit
- Speaking to a vet or suitably qualified person about tick prevention
- Choosing a parasite prevention treatment based on your dog’s lifestyle, location, season, travel plans and household needs
Tick prevention treatment options can include spot-ons, tablets and collars. Product choice should be tailored to your dog’s needs or veterinary guidance.
Regular checks and preventative care are important parts of tick control.
At Virbac, our dog parasite care range includes options designed to support flea and tick protection as part of a wider preventative care routine. If you’re using a flea and tick treatment for dogs, always follow the product instructions and speak to your vet if you’re unsure.
Fleas, ticks and worms are different parasites, but they’re often considered together as part of routine preventative care. Understanding how flea treatments for dogs work and having a suitable worming routine can help you feel more confident about your dog’s everyday protection.
If you have cats at home, take extra care. Some dog parasite treatments can be dangerous to cats, so always follow veterinary and product guidance.
What should I know about ticks if I travel with my dog?
Ticks and tick-borne diseases vary by country. If you’re travelling outside the UK with your dog, speak to your vet before you go. They will advise on which treatments will be mandatory or recommended for your travel. They’ll be able to help with destination-specific risks, suitable parasite protection and what to check when you return.
Some ticks linked with travel can survive indoors if introduced, so it’s worth thinking about your wider household too. In multi-pet homes, mites and lice are other parasites to consider.
Protect your pet against ticks with ongoing support
Finding a tick on your dog can feel unsettling, but knowing what to do can make the situation much more manageable. Use the right tool, work close to the skin, avoid squeezing the tick’s body, clean the bite area and monitor your dog afterwards.
Ticks on dogs are common, especially after walks through long grass, woodland or other tick-friendly areas. With regular checks and the right preventative care, you can help protect your dog’s comfort and wellbeing.
If you’re looking to support your dog’s ongoing health, don’t miss our range of antiparasite products.
FAQs about ticks on dogs
How do I remove a tick from my dog safely?
Use a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers. Get as close to your dog’s skin as possible, avoid squeezing the tick’s body and remove it gently using the method recommended for your tool. Clean the bite area afterwards and monitor your dog.
Should I twist or pull a tick off a dog?
It depends on the tool. With fine-tipped tweezers, use slow, steady upward pressure and don’t twist or jerk. With a tick hook or tick twister, follow the device instructions, which might involve twisting and lifting gently.
Can I remove a tick from my dog without a tick remover?
Yes, fine-tipped tweezers can be used carefully if you don’t have a tick remover. Avoid using fingers, fingernails or broad cosmetic tweezers, as these can squeeze the tick. If you’re unsure, ask your vet for help.
What happens if the tick head is left in my dog?
What’s often called the head is usually retained mouthparts. Don’t dig at the skin. If you suspect retained mouthparts have been left behind, it’s best to contact your vet so that they can assess if intervention is required to remove any remaining parts.
How long can a tick stay on a dog?
Ticks can feed for several days if they’re not removed. It’s best to remove a tick as soon as you find it, using a suitable tool and safe technique. This also reduces the risk of contracting a vector-borne disease.
Do ticks on dogs carry Lyme disease?
Some ticks can carry Lyme disease, but not all ticks are infected and not every bite causes illness. Watch for signs like tiredness, fever, reduced appetite, lameness or swollen joints, and speak to your vet if you’re concerned.
When should I take my dog to the vet for a tick bite?
Contact your vet if you can’t remove the tick, it’s in a sensitive area, there are several ticks, the bite looks infected, you suspect retained mouthparts or your dog develops signs of illness.
How can I stop my dog getting ticks?
You can reduce risk with regular tick checks, avoiding dense vegetation where practical, keeping a tick remover handy and using suitable tick prevention products. Speak to your vet about the best option for your dog’s lifestyle, location and season.