How do you remove a tick from your pet?

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 22 December, 2022

A tick bite is more than just an itchy bump; unfortunately, ticks can transmit an endless number of serious diseases. If you notice a tick on your pet, it is of the utmost importance to remove it as soon as possible. Tick bites are serious for humans as well. Read on for tips to remove ticks from your dog.

How can I tell if there is a tick?

Ticks have broad, hard shells that protect their entire upper body area. However, there are also soft-shelled species such as the Otobius megnini. All ticks start in the larva stage, passes through the nymph stage, and end in the adult stage.

The longer the arachnid feeds off of a dog’s blood and is attached to their skin, the greater the likelihood that any diseases that it carries will infect the dog and his immune system. This tiny insect can cause infections and even paralysis.

How to remove ticks

Before starting to remove any ticks on your dog, grab some tools. Tweezers and gloves will allow you to effectively and safely remove the ticks. A comb will also be useful while you’re looking for ticks buried in your dog’s fur.

Also get a bottle of alcohol and disinfectant to clean your dog’s skin. It is important to clean the tick bite or any other wounds after removing the tick. There are special tools to help you grab ticks from the base of their heads, which is important for removing the entire tick. You don’t really need to buy one of these tools, though, unless your dog has a lot of ticks.

Checking your dog for ticks

Make sure to periodically check your pet’s fur for ticks. It’s always best to detect the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might only find out that your pet has a tick when he begins to scratch.

Ticks can bury themselves in any part of your dog’s body, but there are certain areas that ticks prefer. In general, ticks settle in hard-to-reach areas of the body and in areas where there isn’t much fur.

The most common areas to find ticks are: the legs, paws, chest, tail, face, head, behind, and in the inner area of ​​the ears and neck. You’re more likely to find them there than elsewhere.

Give your dog a bath before removing the tick

It’s a good idea to bathe your pet before starting to remove ticks. There are special shampoos and powders that help in extracting fleas and ticks, although many of these products use harsh chemicals.

Some of these products are not recommended for young puppies. You should consult your veterinarian if you have any questions about the side effects of these products.

There are also flea sprays on the market that could help loosen the tick’s grip on your dog’s skin and make it easier to remove. However, you should read the instructions and consult an expert if you have questions.

How to remove ticks by their heads

Once you identify a tick, make sure that your dog’s fur doesn’t cover the affected area. Pull it back using a comb and try not to lose sight of the tick. To remove the tick, take the tweezers and grasp the tick by its head as close to the skin’s surface as possible. There are two priorities:

• Don’t pinch the dog’s skin.
• Don’t bury the tick’s head deeper into the dog’s skin.

You’ll have to tear the tick away from the skin while not breaking its body. It shouldn’t be too hard — the hardest thing will be to get your four-legged friend to cooperate and stay relaxed.

Disposal and cleaning of the bite

Once it’s removed, put the tick in a jar of alcohol for 24 hours to make sure it’s dead and then clean and disinfect the bite on your dog’s skin. A cotton ball or swab can help.

Natural remedies to remove ticks

Certain natural products can make it easier to remove ticks. For example, these parasites dislike the scent of lemons and other citrus fruits. Other products such as olive oil, petroleum jelly, chamomile tea and apple cider vinegar may help loosen the tick’s grip on your dog’s skin.