Ticks are more than just creepy crawlies; they’re a serious health risk for dogs. These parasites latch onto your dog’s skin, feeding on blood and potentially transmitting dangerous diseases like Lyme disease or anaplasmosis.

If your dog spends time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, the chances of encountering a tick are high—even with preventative measures. Thankfully, tick-borne diseases are not transmitted immediately, which makes early detection and removal critical in keeping your dog safe.

Today, I want to share everything tick-related that you need to know to protect your dog. From learning where ticks hide on your dog to mastering safe removal techniques, I’ll walk you through every step. Plus, you’ll discover natural prevention tips to minimize exposure.

Where Do Ticks Hide On Dogs?

Ticks are sneaky and often hide in less obvious spots.

So pay close attention to areas where your dog’s skin is thinner or less protected by fur.

These include:

• Behind the ears
• Around the neck
• Under the armpits
• The base of the tail
• Between the toes or pads

Even if your dog’s coat is short, it’s important to check thoroughly, especially after walks or outdoor play in high-risk environments.

What do ticks look like on a dog? Ticks can appear as small, dark bumps on your dog’s skin. If they’ve been feeding for a while, they might swell and become more noticeable.

Watch for behavioral signs, too. If your dog is scratching, licking, or nibbling a specific spot repeatedly, it might be worth investigating for a hidden tick.

For short-haired dogs, a simple visual inspection often works. For long-haired or double-coated breeds, use a fine-toothed tick comb to search the coat thoroughly. A hairdryer on a cool setting can also help by parting the fur, making it easier to spot ticks clinging to the skin. Regular grooming and check-ups after outdoor adventures are key to staying ahead of potential infestations.

How To Remove A Tick From A Dog: Step-by-Step

Now you know where ticks like to hide on your pup. But what about when you spot one? What should you do?

Before jumping into action, gather the right tools to ensure a safe and efficient tick removal process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool (like a Tick Key).
• Disposable gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with the tick.
• Rubbing alcohol or iodine to disinfect the bite area afterward.
• A sealable container or small plastic bag if you plan to save the tick for disease testing.
• A steady hand and good lighting are also essential to ensure you don’t leave any parts of the tick behind.

The Removal Process

1. Find the Tick: Part your dog’s fur around the tick so you can clearly see it and the surrounding skin.
2. Position the Tweezers: With fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, as this can force harmful fluids into your dog. If you’re using a tick removal tool, place the wide opening of the tool around the tick and slide it until the tick is in the narrow slot.
3. Pull Steadily: Use gentle but firm pressure to pull the tick straight upward with tweezers. If using a tick tool, continue sliding it in one direction along the skin. Don’t twist or jerk the tick, as this can break off the head or mouthparts and leave them embedded in the skin.
4. Check for Completeness: Once removed, inspect the tick to ensure its head and mouthparts are intact. If any parts remain in the skin, don’t panic—they often work their way out naturally, but monitor the area for signs of irritation.

Post-Removal Care

After removing the tick, disinfect the bite site with rubbing alcohol, iodine, or soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly, even if you wore gloves, and clean any tools used during the process.

For the tick itself, avoid crushing it. Instead, seal it in a small container or bag with rubbing alcohol if you want to have it tested for diseases. If testing isn’t needed, you can dispose of the tick by wrapping it tightly in tape and flushing it down the toilet. Never throw a live tick into the trash—they can crawl back out and pose a threat again.

Common Tick Removal Mistakes To Avoid

While removing a tick might seem straightforward, certain methods can cause more harm than good.

So here's what not to do:

• Avoid using your fingers to pull off ticks. This increases the risk of direct contact with the tick’s saliva or blood, which can transmit diseases. Always use tweezers or a tick removal tool.
• Skip the nail polish, petroleum jelly, or burning methods. These techniques don’t kill ticks effectively and may cause them to regurgitate infected fluids into your dog’s bloodstream, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
• Never squish a tick. Crushing the tick can release harmful pathogens that can infect both you and your dog.
• Don’t panic if removal isn’t perfect. If parts of the tick are left behind, resist trying to dig them out, which could worsen irritation or lead to infection.

If the tick’s head or mouthparts remain embedded in your dog’s skin, don’t worry. These pieces are unlikely to cause harm and often work their way out naturally, similar to a splinter.

Keep the area clean and monitor for redness or swelling. If irritation persists, consult your vet for guidance.

Tick-Borne Diseases In Dogs

Ticks can carry several diseases that affect dogs, with some being more prevalent in specific areas:

• Lyme Disease: Spread by deer ticks, this causes joint swelling, fever, and lethargy.
• Ehrlichiosis: Transmitted by lone star ticks, it can lead to anemia, appetite loss, and bruising.
• Anaplasmosis: Often carried by blacklegged ticks, symptoms include fever, joint pain, and lethargy.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Spread by the American dog tick, it causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and bleeding disorders.

The risk depends a bit on where you and your dog live geographically:

• Lyme Disease: Most common in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and parts of California.
• Ehrlichiosis: Found primarily in the South-Central and Southeastern U.S.
• Anaplasmosis: Prevalent in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Coast regions.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Occurs in states like Arkansas, North Carolina, and Missouri.

Symptoms To Watch

If you're concerned about the conditions above, keep an eye out for symptoms like:

• Fever or lethargy.
• Swollen joints or difficulty walking.
• Loss of appetite or unusual behavior.
  
  If you notice these signs after a tick bite, seek veterinary attention promptly.

Preventing Ticks On Dogs Naturally

If you're looking to prevent ticks on dogs, there are also a few natural preventatives that can help:

• Dietary Support: Add garlic (in safe doses) to your dog’s meals or ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per 25 pounds of body weight to their water. These natural deterrents make your dog less appealing to ticks.
• Topical Solutions: Use DIY herbal sprays made from ingredients like lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or use flea powders containing neem for added protection.

Another tip is to think beyond treating and protecting your pup, though. You can also defend your home and yard against ticks, too. This is your "first line of defense."

Ticks thrive in overgrown or damp areas, but there are ways to reduce their population:

• Nematodes: Introduce these microscopic organisms to your yard to feed on tick larvae and disrupt their life cycle.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle food-grade DE around your yard, especially in high-traffic dog areas. It’s lethal to ticks but safe for pets and people.

Keeping Your Dog Tick-Free

Finally, inspect your dog daily, especially after outdoor adventures. Focus on common tick hiding spots like behind the ears, around the neck, between toes, and under the tail. Use a tick comb for thorough searches, especially for long-haired dogs.

Remember to always handle ticks with care, using gloves and tools to remove them. Dispose of ticks properly and clean the bite site to minimize infection risk.

Opt for natural tick repellents over chemical products to protect your dog without harmful side effects.

A balanced diet, regular grooming, and immune-supporting supplements like probiotics can also enhance your dog’s natural defenses against ticks.

FAQ

Will rubbing alcohol make a tick back out? Rubbing alcohol does not make a tick back out and can actually increase the risk of the tick regurgitating harmful pathogens into your pet's skin. It’s better to use a proper tick remover and steady motion to safely remove ticks.

What kills ticks on dogs immediately? To kill ticks on your dog immediately, use a natural tick shampoo or diatomaceous earth powder on the affected area. Avoid chemical products that can harm your dog and focus on safe options that also kill fleas.

What happens if a tick head is left in a dog? If a tick's mouth or head remains in your dog, the area may experience minor irritation but usually heals as the body pushes it out naturally. Clean the affected area and apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Should you remove a tick from your dog yourself? Yes, you can safely remove ticks from your dog yourself using a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers with steady motion. Always clean the bite site, save the tick in a sealed container if disease testing is needed, and consult a veterinarian if your dog starts showing symptoms of illness.