Ticks on Dogs: How to Remove Them and Prevent Disease

It’s the creepiest feeling in the world. You are petting your dog, and your fingers bump into a small, hard lump. You part the fur, and there it is: a grey, engorged tick.

Panic sets in. Do you burn it? Smother it in Vaseline? Pull it?

Stop. Most of the “home remedies” for tick removal are dangerous myths that increase the chance of infection.

Ticks are not just gross; they are dangerous vectors for diseases like Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. In this guide, we will teach you exactly how to remove a tick safely and how to keep them off your dog for good.

How to Remove a Tick (The Right Way)

Forget the matches. Forget the dish soap. You need one tool: Fine-tipped tweezers (or a “Tick Twister” tool).

1. Part the fur so you can see the skin clearly.
2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible (grab the head, not the swollen body).
3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
4. Check the bite: Make sure the head didn’t break off. (If it did, don’t dig for it; the body will expel it like a splinter).
5. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol or iodine.
6. Kill the tick: Put it in alcohol or flush it. Do not crush it with your fingers.

Why not Vaseline or Matches?

These methods irritate the tick. When a tick is irritated, it regurgitates (vomits) its stomach contents back into your dog’s bloodstream. This vomit contains the Lyme bacteria. By trying to “smother” it, you are literally forcing it to infect your dog.

Tick-Borne Diseases: Symptoms to Watch

Symptoms can appear weeks or months after the bite.

1. Lyme Disease: Lameness (shifting from leg to leg), fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes.
2. Ehrlichiosis: Nose bleeds, bruising, fever.
3. Tick Paralysis: A progressive paralysis starting in the back legs. (Usually cured rapidly by removing the tick).

If your dog seems “off” a few weeks after a tick bite, tell your vet.

Prevention: Which Method is Best?

1. Oral Chews (Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica)

• Pros: Highly effective. No messy residue. Lasts 1-3 months.
• Cons: The tick has to bite the dog to die (though it usually dies before transmitting disease). Prescription required.

2. Topical Drops (Frontline, K9 Advantix)

• Pros: Can repel ticks before they bite (some brands). Available over-the-counter.
• Cons: Messy/greasy. Can wash off if the dog swims immediately. Toxic to cats (Permethrin).

3. Collars (Seresto)

• Pros: Lasts 8 months. Repels and kills.
• Cons: Can fall off. Some dogs get skin irritation under the collar.

4. “Natural” Sprays (Cedar/Peppermint)

• Pros: Chemical-free.
• Cons: Very low efficacy. Not recommended for high-risk areas.

Summary

Ticks are a year-round threat in many places.

1. Check Daily: Run your hands over your dog after every walk. Check “warm” spots (ears, armpits, toes).
2. Use Protection: A monthly pill is cheaper than treating Lyme disease.
3. Don’t Panic: A tick usually needs to be attached for 24-48 hours to transmit Lyme. If you find it early, you are safe.