How to Remove Dog Ticks

If you have a dog, it’s almost inevitable that sooner or later, you’ll find a tick or two on him/her. While ticks are very common, they are certainly a pest that we don’t want to infest our beloved pets. After all, you love your dog, and there’s no way that you want a parasitic, bloodsucker taking up residence on your pet. Not only are ticks painful for dogs to endure, but they can also transmit some very serious diseases, like Lyme Disease. So it only makes sense that every responsible pet owner should learn how to remove dog ticks.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Before You Start

If you notice that your dog has ticks, whatever you do, resist the urge to try to pull the ticks out. Muscling ticks loose is a no-win proposition. You see, ticks have curved teeth that lodge into your dog’s skin. If you simply pull the tick loose, those teeth stay embedded in the dog, and can lead to itching and even infection. So don’t get desperate and try to squeeze ticks loose.

Another thing to avoid is the old method of burning ticks loose. As amazing as it sounds, some people think that flames are the only method to remove dog ticks successfully. Needless to say, this approach is dangerous and should not be attempted by any responsible pet owner.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #1

To avoid the teeth getting lodged into your pet’s skin, you must stun the tick first. There are several methods to doing this, but the easiest and most affordable is by using rubbing alcohol. Simply spray the tick with alcohol and the bug will become stunned.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #2

Carefully pull the tick loose, after it is stunned. Don’t squeeze too hard and squash the ticks, as their blood is poisonous. You may want to don surgical gloves prior to pulling ticks loose, just in case you accidentally squash one. You can also use tweezers; just be careful.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #3

Place the removed ticks into a small container with alcohol in it. This will kill the ticks and prevent them from latching on to another dog or person. You may want to keep one tick in the solution, in case your veterinarian wants to see one.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #4

Use a veterinarian approved antibiotic to clean and disinfect the wounds where the ticks were latched on. You want to minimize the risk of infection, so this step should not be skipped.

Preventative Measures

While it’s important for all of us dog owners to know how to remove dog ticks, prevention is a much better alternative. Discuss your options with a trusted vet, to see how to avoid tick infestations in the future. You may want to invest in a topical solution, like Frontline to prevent tick and flea outbreaks on your dog.