Guide to Safely Removing a Tick from Your Dog
Dogs of all breeds and ages are susceptible to tick infestations. Ticks infest our canine babies and thrive by sucking on their blood. Therefore, as pet parents, it is essential that we keep a regular check on our pals and eliminate any parasites attached to their coats. Removing a tick from your dog’s coat can be tricky, but with the help of a good-quality tick removal tool and appropriate steps, it can be done with ease.
In this blog, we will discuss how to safely remove a tick from your dog and shed light on the tips involved. Let’s get started.
When to Check Your Dog for Ticks?
You should check your dog for ticks daily, especially after they have spent time in grassy, wooded, or warm environments. You should carefully run your fingers over your dog’s entire body, feeling for bumps or irregularities, and part the fur to look closely for ticks. Pay special attention to the places where ticks like to hide, such as inside and around ears, between toes, under the tail, around eyelids, under the collar, and in skin folds like armpits and groin. You must check for ticks irrespective of whether your pooch is on parasite preventives.
What Kind of Tools Are Required for Tick Removal?
The following tools are required to safely remove a tick from dog’s coat.
Tick Removal Tool
A tick removal tool is often shaped like a small fork or tweezer with a V-shaped head. It helps safely lift and extract ticks of different sizes from the skin of the dog without squeezing or leaving any parts behind. The tool is generally made of stainless steel for anti-corrosion and durability.
Alcohol or a Pet-Friendly Antiseptic Solution
After the tick has been removed from the dog’s coat, the area of the bite should be cleaned with alcohol or a pet-friendly antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
Dog-Specific Comb
A dog comb will help you separate your dog’s coat and make the ticks visible for easy removal.
A Pair of Gloves
You should consider wearing gloves while removing ticks from your dog to protect your hands during the process. Always remember that ticks are disease carriers and can also infect you and your family.
Steps for Removing Ticks from Dogs
Below are the steps for removing ticks from your dog. However, if the ticks are stuck at a position that is uncomfortable for you to eliminate, do get in touch with your vet.
Step 1:
Fill a container with alcohol to dispose of the tick after elimination.
Step 2:
If your dog is restless, restrain it. Otherwise, offer it a toy to keep it distracted.
Step 3:
Separate your dog’s fur with a dog-specific comb to expose the tick.
Step 4:
Grab the tick where it enters the dog’s skin with the help of a tick-removal tool. Then firmly pull it outwards, away from the skin.
Step 5:
Do not twist the tick’s body as you may crush it accidentally, which may result in toxins entering your dog’s bloodstream.
Step 6:
Rub alcohol or an antiseptic liquid on the tick bite to prevent infection.
Step 7:
Drop the tick in the container filled with alcohol for safe disposal.
Also Read: Types of Tick Species in Dogs
What if the Tick’s Head is Stuck in the Dog’s Skin?
Here’s what you should do if the tick’s head is stuck to your dog’s skin after its body has been removed:
- Rub the bite area with alcohol or an antiseptic liquid.
- Use fine-tipped, sterilized tweezers and gently grab the tick’s head as close to the dog’s skin as possible. Then, pull it straight out with steady, firm pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick’s head.
- If the tick’s head is too small and a tweezer can’t hold it, use a sterilized needle to carefully widen the opening around the tick’s head. This can help loosen it and allow the tweezers to grasp it.
- Do not scrape the skin aggressively as it can lead to irritation, inflammation and increase the risk of infection.
- If the removal attempt fails or the tick’s head is stuck deep inside your dog’s skin, seek your vet’s help.
Wrapping Up
Safely removing a tick from your dog’s coat is crucial to prevent discomfort and the transmission of harmful diseases. Besides being vigilant, you should also use year-round tick preventives to reduce the risk of tick infestation.
At BudgetPetCare, we carry a wide range of tick preventives at unbeatable prices. Visit our online store to procure your preferred products from the comfort of your home.