Finding a tick on your dog can be alarming, but how you remove it matters as much as removing it at all. Prompt tick checks and immediate removal reduce the risk of tick-borne disease transmission. The longer a tick stays attached, the greater the risk — AAHA confirms that keeping pets current on tick prevention and checking them after time outdoors are the most important protective measures (AAHA, aaha.org).
What You Need Before You Start
- A tick removal tool (O’Tom Tick Twister or similar) or fine-tipped tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- Antiseptic wipe or pet-safe wound spray
- A small sealed container or zip-lock bag to hold the tick
- High-value treats to reward your dog
Step-by-Step Tick Removal
- Keep your dog calm and still. Recruit a second person if needed. Use a calm voice and treats to settle your dog before you begin.
- Part the fur and find the attachment point. Good lighting is essential. Locate exactly where the tick’s mouthparts meet the skin.
- Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible. Use the tick tool or fine-tipped tweezers. Avoid grasping the body — squeezing can push fluids back into the bite.
- Pull upward with firm, steady pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or rock sideways. Slow and even is safer than fast.
- Inspect the bite site. Check that the mouthparts have not remained. If a small piece of the tick stays behind, leave it — do not dig. It will typically be expelled naturally.
- Clean the area. Wipe the bite site with antiseptic and wash your hands thoroughly.
- Dispose of the tick safely. Seal it in a container — your vet may want to identify it, especially in Australia.
| Do NOT do any of the following — they increase the risk of injury or disease transmission: |
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Where to Check Your Dog for Ticks
After every walk, hike, or outdoor play session, run your hands through your dog’s coat and check these common hiding spots:
- Around and inside the ears
- Under the collar and around the neck
- Between the toes and under the paw pads
- Around the eyelids and facial folds
- In the armpits and groin
- Under the tail and around the base of the tail
What to Watch For After Removal
A small bump or mild redness at the bite site is normal. Contact your vet if you notice any of the following in the days following removal:
- Swelling, discharge, or increasing redness at the bite site
- Lethargy, loss of appetite, or fever
- Lameness, reluctance to move, or joint swelling
- Any signs of illness within 1 to 3 weeks of the bite (US: Lyme disease risk)
Red Flags: Call Your Vet Urgently If…
| Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog shows any of the following signs: |
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| Australian note — paralysis ticks require a different response |
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Australia is home to the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus), found along the eastern coastal strip from Far North Queensland to Victoria. Unlike many other tick species, paralysis ticks inject a toxin that can cause rapid, life-threatening paralysis, even in dogs that are up to date with tick prevention. Symptoms of paralysis tick toxicity include:
These signs can appear 3–5 days after the tick attaches. If you remove a paralysis tick, monitor your dog closely for at least 48 hours. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any weakness, breathing changes, or swallowing difficulties—even if the signs seem mild. Paralysis tick toxicity is a veterinary emergency. Tick prevention commonly used in Australia includes:
Always keep the removed tick in a sealed container if possible, as your veterinarian may wish to identify the species and guide any further treatment. |
Tick Prevention — The Best Strategy is Needing to Remove Fewer Ticks
Prevention is far safer than reaction. AAHA recommends keeping pets current on vet-approved tick preventives and checking them after every outdoor exposure (AAHA, aaha.org). Practical prevention steps:
- Use a veterinarian-recommended tick preventive year-round (US: NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica; AU: NexGard Spectra, Bravecto, Revolution Plus)
- Keep lawn and garden edges trimmed — ticks prefer the border between lawn and long grass
- Check your dog every time they come inside during high-risk months
- Wash bedding weekly during tick season
- Ask your vet about regional tick-borne disease risks — they differ significantly between US states and AU regions
| Recommended tick products |
| Tick removal tools: O'Tom Tick Twister, Tick Key (available in the US & Australia) |
| US flea & tick prevention: NexGard (monthly chew), Bravecto (3-month chew), Simparica (monthly chew) |
| Australian tick prevention: NexGard Spectra (monthly), Bravecto for Dogs (3-month), Revolution Plus (monthly spot-on) |
| Bite site care: Use a pet-safe wound spray, such as Vetericyn Plus, to help keep the bite area clean after tick removal. |
| Related reading on All Furry Tales |
| → How to Choose the Right Vet |
| → Pet Insurance Explained — What Does It Actually Cover? |
Is it okay to use tweezers on a tick?
Yes, as long as they are fine-tipped and you grip as close to the skin as possible. A purpose-built tick removal tool is easier for most owners because it reduces the risk of squeezing.
What if the tick’s head stays in?
Do not dig at the skin. A small piece of mouthpart will usually be pushed out by your dog’s immune response. Monitor the site for infection and call your vet if it becomes inflamed or your dog seems unwell.
Should I go to the vet after every tick?
Not always, but call your vet if your dog is in a paralysis-tick region in Australia, if the dog shows any signs of illness within a week, or if you are unsure whether the tick was fully removed.
How quickly can a tick make my dog sick?
In Australia, paralysis tick symptoms can develop 3 to 5 days after attachment. In the US, Lyme disease transmission typically requires 36 to 48 hours of attachment. Earlier removal significantly reduces risk.
