Ticks on dogs: how to remove them safely?

In the United Kingdom, tick bites are a common problem for dog owners—especially during the warmer months when ticks are most active. These tiny parasites can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and babesiosis, which can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.

Removing a tick from a dog correctly requires a precise technique to avoid leaving mouthparts behind or increasing the risk of infection. Here’s a complete, practical guide to help you act safely and protect your dog.

How to Spot a Tick on Your Dog

Ticks often look like small, dark bumps attached to your dog’s skin. They don’t jump or fly—typically they crawl on from grass, leaf litter or low vegetation.

An unfed tick is usually just a few millimetres wide, but it can swell to around a centimetre once engorged. It anchors firmly using its mouthparts, which sit deeply in the skin.

Most Common Areas to Check

From years of day-to-day pet care, these are the spots I check first:

• Head and neck: especially under the collar
• Ears: around the base and folds
• Armpits and groin: warm areas with thinner skin
• Between the toes: easy to miss without a close look
• Base of the tail: particularly in longer-coated dogs

These areas tend to have thinner skin and good blood supply, making them attractive feeding spots for ticks.

During checks, gently part the fur and feel for small lumps—ticks can be easier to spot by touch than sight, especially on fluffy dogs.

Essential Equipment for Tick Removal

Having the right equipment makes removal safer and more reliable. Avoid standard tweezers if you can—they can crush the tick and increase the chance of irritation or infection.

Here are the tools most vets recommend:

Tick Remover Tool: The Best Option

A tick remover (tick hook) is the most practical and effective choice for most owners. It’s designed to slide under the tick close to the skin and lift it out cleanly with a controlled twist.

Pick a model with two hook sizes: small (unfed ticks) and large (engorged ticks).

Alternative: Specialist Tick Tweezers

Fine-tipped tick tweezers are an acceptable alternative if used carefully. The goal is to grip close to the tick’s head without squeezing the swollen abdomen.

Avoid wide-ended tweezers that compress the body—this may increase the risk of pathogen transfer.

Helpful Extras

• Antiseptic: chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine (Betadine)
• Sterile gauze: for gentle cleaning
• Disposable gloves: sensible hygiene protection
• Torch: for clear visibility
• Magnifier: to confirm the tick is intact

Step-by-Step Tick Removal Technique

Safe tick removal is all about calm, steady technique. The most common issues come from rushing, pulling too hard, or gripping the tick in the wrong place.

Here’s the method I recommend:

1) Get Set Up

Settle your dog in a well-lit space. If they’re wriggly or sensitive, ask someone to help hold them still—firmly, but gently.

Put on disposable gloves and disinfect your tick remover. This helps reduce the risk of secondary infection.

2) Position and Grip Correctly

Part the fur so you can clearly see the tick and the skin. Slide the tick hook under the tick as close to the skin as possible.

The key point: aim to catch the tick at the head/mouthparts, not the swollen body.

3) Twist Slowly (Don’t Yank)

Rotate the tool slowly and steadily—usually 2–3 turns is enough. Keep a light, constant pull as you twist. The tick should release naturally once the mouthparts disengage.

4) Check the Tick and the Bite Site

Look at the tick to confirm it’s intact and that the head/mouthparts are visible. Then check the bite site carefully to make sure no dark fragments remain in the skin.

If you suspect mouthparts are stuck, don’t dig around with a needle—book a vet appointment.

📋 Summary: Tick removal technique
Step	What to do
1. Prepare	Gloves + disinfect tool + good lighting
2. Position	Hook under the tick, right next to the skin
3. Twist	2–3 slow turns (steady, not rushed)
4. Pull	Light, constant traction while twisting
5. Check	Tick intact + no fragments left behind
💡 Sophie’s note
Patience matters. Rushing and force are the biggest reasons ticks break. Take it slow and keep your dog relaxed—steady hands make a clean removal more likely.

Aftercare and Monitoring

After tick removal, good aftercare helps prevent irritation and secondary infection. Just as important is monitoring your dog for signs of tick-borne disease during the weeks that follow.

Here’s the approach I recommend:

Immediate Disinfection

Clean the bite site gently using sterile gauze with chlorhexidine or diluted povidone-iodine (Betadine). Avoid neat alcohol, which can sting and irritate fragile skin.

Dab rather than rub. Mild redness can be normal for 24–48 hours.

Safe Tick Disposal

Don’t drop a live tick into the bin—it can survive and bite again. Safer options include:

• 70% alcohol: submerge for around 10 minutes
• Freezer: store for 24 hours if your vet requests it
• Sealed container: until you can dispose of it securely
• Crushing: with a hard object, then disinfect the surface

Never crush a tick with bare hands—pathogens can enter via tiny breaks in the skin.

Monitor for at Least 30 Days

Tick-borne illnesses have variable incubation periods. As a rule of thumb, monitor your dog for at least 30 days after a bite, and contact your vet promptly if you notice anything unusual.

Keep an eye out for:

• Fever: temperature above 39.5°C
• Lethargy: noticeable drop in energy
• Loss of appetite: persistent refusal to eat
• Lameness: stiffness or limping
• Dark urine: a possible babesiosis warning sign