Ticks on Dogs: How to Spot and Remove Them Safely
Updated: 3 days ago
Ticks are tiny, but they can cause big problems for dogs. They hide in long grass and woodland, climb on as your dog brushes past and feed for days if nobody notices, and some carry diseases that can make dogs, and people, unwell. Even so, a quick daily check and the right removal tool make ticks easy to deal with, and a dog who's used to being handled makes the whole thing so much easier. Here's how to spot ticks on your dog, how to remove them safely and when to call your vet.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Ticks are small blood-feeding parasites found in grass, woodland, moorland and even parks and gardens. They attach to your dog's skin, often around the head, ears, neck, armpits, groin and between the toes, and can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, with others like babesiosis and anaplasmosis depending on where you live. Check your dog all over after walks, feeling for small bumps. To remove a tick, use a tick removal tool: slide it under the tick close to the skin, twist gently several times and lift it away. Don't squeeze, burn, cover the tick in oil or pull it out with your fingers. Afterwards, clean the area and watch it for a few weeks. Call your vet if your dog becomes lethargic, lame, feverish or off their food, or if the bite becomes very red or swollen. Ask your vet about tick prevention for your area.
IN THIS POST
ā What ticks are
ā Where and when dogs pick up ticks
ā Why ticks matter
ā How to check your dog for ticks
ā How to remove a tick safely
ā What not to do
ā After removal
ā Preventing ticks
ā FAQs
What ticks are
Ticks are arachnids, related to spiders and mites. They sit on plants and wait for an animal to brush past, then climb on and find a spot to feed.
Unfed ticks can be as small as a sesame seed. Once they've fed, they swell up to the size of a pea and are usually grey, cream or brown. People sometimes mistake them for a skin tag or wart.
Where and when dogs pick up ticks
Ticks are most common in long grass, woodland, moorland and areas with deer, sheep or other wildlife. They can also live in parks and gardens.
In many countries they're most active in spring and autumn, but they can be around for much of the year in mild weather. Read springtime parasite alert.
Why ticks matter
The bite itself is usually minor. The bigger risk is disease. Depending on where you live, ticks can carry Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and others.
Early signs of tick-borne disease can be vague, like tiredness, lameness that moves from leg to leg, fever or poor appetite. Removing ticks quickly lowers the risk, because many diseases take time to pass on.
How to check your dog for ticks
Run your hands slowly over your dog after every walk in tick areas. Feel for small bumps, then part the fur to look. Pay most attention to:
the head, face and around the eyes
inside and behind the ears
under the collar and around the neck
the armpits, groin and belly
between the toes and around the tail
How to remove a tick safely
A tick removal tool, sometimes called a tick twister or tick hook, is the safest way. They're cheap and easy to keep in your walk bag. Follow these steps:
part the fur so you can see where the tick enters the skin
slide the tool under the tick, as close to the skin as you can
twist gently in one direction, two or three full turns, until it comes free
lift it away without squeezing the body
clean the bite with a pet-safe antiseptic and wash your hands
What not to do
Old remedies can make things worse. They can make a tick release more saliva into the bite. Avoid:
squeezing the tick's body with fingers or tweezers
burning it, or covering it in oil, alcohol or nail varnish
pulling it straight out quickly
leaving it to drop off on its own
If a tiny bit of mouthpart stays in the skin, don't dig for it. It usually works its way out, but ask your vet if the area looks sore.
After removal
Keep an eye on the bite for a few weeks. A small red bump is normal and should settle within a few days.
Call your vet if the area gets very red, swollen or hot, or if your dog seems tired, lame, feverish or off their food. Mention where you've walked recently, as this helps your vet think about which diseases are possible.
Preventing ticks
Your vet can recommend tick prevention that suits your dog and where you live, such as spot-ons, tablets or collars. Prevention is especially useful if you walk in woodland, moorland or areas with livestock.
Checks still matter, even with prevention. Make them a calm, pleasant routine with a treat for each area. Read grass seeds and dogs.
RENEE'S TIP
Keep a tick tool on your car keys or in your treat pouch. Then do a "hands-on check" at the car after every countryside walk, finishing with a treat. Ticks are far easier to find before your dog curls up on the sofa.
QUICK CHECK
ā Ticks live in grass, woodland, moorland and even gardens
ā Check head, ears, neck, armpits, groin and toes after walks
ā Use a tick tool: slide, twist, lift
ā Never squeeze, burn or smother a tick
ā Call your vet if your dog becomes lethargic, lame or feverish
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with a dog who won't be handled
If checking your dog for ticks turns into a struggle, I can help you build calm handling step by step in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
How do I remove a tick from my dog?
Slide a tick removal tool under the tick close to the skin, twist gently two or three times and lift it away.
What does a tick look like on a dog?
A small grey, cream or brown bump, from the size of a sesame seed up to a pea once it has fed.
Can I pull a tick out with tweezers?
It's safer to use a tick tool. Tweezers can squeeze the body and push saliva into the bite.
What if the tick's head is left in my dog?
Don't dig for it. It usually works its way out. Ask your vet if the area becomes sore or swollen.
When should I call the vet after a tick bite?
If the bite becomes very red or swollen, or your dog seems tired, lame, feverish or off their food.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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