How To Remove Ticks From Dog At Home?

Removing ticks from your dog can be a common challenge in the spring and summer months. These “blood-sucking” parasites are not only unsightly, they are also often difficult to dislodge.

Don’t know what or how to remove ticks on dogs? In this article, we explain what is the recommended method to do it quickly and safely, what home remedies can help, how to prevent future infestations, and what are the most common mistakes to avoid.

How to remove ticks from dogs at home?

Note:

For those people who still have doubts about how to detect ticks, it should be noted that these parasites have an oval shape, a flattened or swollen body (depending on whether they are already fed or not), and are generally brown in color.

Like other arachnids, they have 8 legs that they use to adhere strongly to the dog’s body, especially around the head, tail, and legs. They can be too small to see with the naked eye, or as large as the tip of a human finger.

Use a brush, comb, or just your fingers, to part the hair against its natural growth direction. This will allow you to detect hidden ticks on the dog’s skin.

Pay special attention to the most common hiding places (between fingers, inside ears, in skin folds, etc.).

Once you’ve spotted them, get ready to remove the ticks as soon as possible. Acting quickly is important not only because they are parasites that feed on the pet’s blood, but also because they can transmit different diseases.

Pathogen transmission can occur as early as 3-6 hours after the bite. The faster the ticks are removed, the less likely the dog will get sick.

Steps to remove ticks in dogs (safer and faster way)

What is needed?

A pair of fine-tipped tweezers or special tweezers to remove ticks. Fine-tipped tweezers work very well for the removal of swollen ticks (they allow you to vary the pressure applied).
A cotton pad soaked in soapy water, alcohol, or disinfectant.

A covered container filled with soapy water or rubbing alcohol to contain ticks (you can also use a sealable bag).
Latex gloves to protect your hands.
It is recommended to find a well-lit location and, if available, use a magnifying glass.

Instructions

The first thing will be to examine the tick that you are going to eliminate. See if the “head” is visible or if it is buried in the skin. How does your body look? Is it small and flat, or does it look significantly puffy? Removing a tick with a deeply buried head and swollen body requires a more careful approach.
Make sure you have the area clear of hair before you start. Moistening the surrounding fur can help achieve better visibility.
Using tweezers or a tick remover, grasp the head of the tick as close to the dog’s skin as possible. If the tick is embedded, still hold its body as close to the skin as possible. Be gentle to avoid tearing the tick before removing it completely.

Begin pulling on it, making a smooth, steady motion perpendicular to the pet’s fur. The objective is to extract the head of it without separating it from the body of the tick. This can take from 20 to 60 seconds. Be patient!
Drop the newly removed tick into the container of soapy water or rubbing alcohol and close it tightly to prevent it from escaping. The liquid will cause the tick to drown and can then be removed without risk of re-infestation.
Next, disinfect the bite area with the alternative of your choice. Repeat the same procedure until the dog is free of ticks.

Some sources recommend applying an antibacterial ointment for several days. Check the bite frequently over the next few weeks, and call your vet if you notice any signs of irritation or infection.

Remember that…

Tweezing is the most effective way to remove ticks, but you must use proper tweezers. Most household pliers have large, blunt tips. It is best to use fine-tipped tweezers to avoid breaking the tick and spreading possible infections to the bite area.

If your dog seems especially tired, has trouble walking, or isn’t eating or drinking normally, it’s a good idea to go to the vet and show him one of the removed ticks.
In case of serious tick infestation, it is best to go to the vet. A large number of ticks can not only severely damage a dog’s skin, but also put the dog at risk for anemia, paralysis, and other health complications. The vet is the right person to give your pet the care he needs.

How to remove ticks on dogs with home remedies?

A common way to combat fleas and ticks on dogs, or other pets, is the use of home treatments. While many of the folk remedies aren’t safe or effective, there are some that can help get rid of them or prevent the infestation in the first place.

As an additional advantage to chemical treatments, these anti-tick remedies are less aggressive for the dog and its general health.

Warning. None of these remedies work to kill ticks. Your application can help keep them away, as well as facilitate their elimination, but they will not make these parasites die instantly.

The best ingredients to remove ticks naturally are:

Apple cider vinegar
Lemon and another citrus

Chamomile
Eucalyptus essential oil
Neem essential oil

Let’s see why they work and how each of them is used …

1. Apple cider vinegar

As mentioned above, vinegar itself doesn’t kill ticks, but it can help remove an embedded tick. The smell of vinegar is known to repel them, hence they try to back up to escape.

Dilute 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 4 tablespoons of water.

Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and wipe it over the back of the tick several times.
After 1-2 minutes, use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick for easier removal.
Some sources suggest that adding 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar to the dog’s food or water exerts the same repellant effect, in this case from the inside out.

It may interest you:

Flea Vinegar – 4 Ways to Use it on Dogs
15+ Best Home Anti-Flea Remedies (Dogs, Cats, House)

2. Lemon and another citrus

The acid in citrus fruits also appears to discourage ticks and encourage their removal. They can be used in various ways, for example:

Prepare a repellent spray with lemon juice. Just mix water and lemon juice in equal parts. Put the mixture in a spray bottle, spray it on the infected area, let it act for a few minutes and proceed to extract the ticks.
Prepare a bath with the citrus extract. For this preparation you can use the remains of previously squeezed lemons, limes, and oranges; only the peel and pulp are needed. Place them in a container with water and bring to the fire to boil. Once cool, take 1-2 cups of the resulting solution and add it to your pet’s bathwater.

3. Chamomile

Chamomile is another home remedy commonly used to remove ticks on dogs and cats. The natural scent of chamomile has a repellent action on these parasites.

Prepare chamomile tea by boiling 1 handful of dried flowers in 1 cup of water. Let cool slightly, soak clean cotton or cloth, and apply the infusion on the skin and the tick.

Note: Chamomile is also an excellent anti-inflammatory antiseptic that helps soothe and disinfect the injury caused by a bite.

4. Eucalyptus essential oil

Eucalyptus oil is recognized as an excellent tick killer. Of course, you should never apply it to your dog’s skin without first diluting it.

Dilute 4-5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in ½ glass of water or 10-15 drops of carrier oil (almond, jojoba). Apply it to the area around the tick with the help of a cotton swab.

5. Neem oil

Thanks to its antiseptic and antiparasitic properties, neem oil can also help you remove ticks in less time. Likewise, it is necessary to dilute it before applying it.

Combine neem oil and almond oil, or olive oil, in a ratio of 1:10. Next, drop a few drops of the mixture on the tick or apply it by rubbing with a cotton ball.

Improper use of these and other essential oils for tick removal, such as cedarwood, lavender, peppermint, geranium, and cinnamon, can be toxic to dogs.

When not diluted properly, or used in excessive amounts, topical application can cause skin irritation. Likewise, consider that they should never be ingested by the pet.

5 things you should not do…

1. Remove ticks with your fingers

Trying to remove ticks with bare fingers is not only ineffective but also dangerous. Keep in mind that if you apply too much pressure, you could end up in direct contact with the parasite’s saliva and blood.

If you do have to use your fingers, at least make sure to protect them with a tissue or paper towel. When finished, disinfect your hands with soap and water.

2. Crush a tick

This can force infected bodily fluids out through the tick’s mouth, increasing the risk of infection for you and your dog.

3. Apply “popular” products to suffocate the tick

Some sources recommend applying nail polish , alcohol, oil, or petroleum jelly to ticks to suffocate and kill them. According to experts, these products can cause the tick to release its internal content into the dog’s body and there is a greater risk of transmitting an infection.

4. Try to burn ticks

Trying to burn them with a lighted match or cigarette is totally counterproductive.

5. Shedding ticks without killing them

Never throw live ticks in the trash, sink, or around the house. Remember that they can easily crawl back and forth.

How to prevent a dog from picking up ticks?

Ticks typically remain attached to vegetation, waiting for an opportunity to climb onto a new host.5 . From there, it’s best to deal with them before they can infest your pet.

Remove ticks at home (tick-free environment)

The key to keeping your dog safe is to create an environment inhospitable to ticks. First of all, have you been wondering how they get to your house? These parasites often reach your lawn from rodents and other animals.

That’s why it’s recommended to apply household, garden, and backyard-safe pesticide products so you can create an “invisible bubble” that keeps your home tick-free. One of the products commonly used for this is diatomaceous earth.

Likewise, it is recommended to mow the lawn and clean the land on a regular basis. Tall grass and accumulations of leaves or debris put the dog at greater risk.

It’s also important to keep your backyard and other areas around your home dry, as many types of ticks prefer moist habitats, not dry ones.

Check the dog periodically

Inspect your pet’s fur regularly, especially if you’re used to walking him outdoors. When you spend time in areas that are potential tick habitats, it’s very difficult to keep them from attaching to your dog.

Whenever you can, spend a few minutes checking out her body; you can even do it during the game. Run your fingers gently over his fur, paying attention to any unusual bumps. If you discover that it has a tick, proceed to remove it immediately.

You can also get into the habit of combing your dog after walking through parks and trails. This helps protect the pet and the rest of the family.

When dogs have thick fur, it can take a while for ticks to reach the skin and bite them. If your dog enters the house before the tick is attached, there is a risk that the parasite will attach to you or another family member.

See below: 29+ Furry Dog Breeds (Small, Medium, Large, White)

Using shampoos and other anti-tick products

Another way to prevent future infestations is to apply sprays/shampoos designed to clean the dog’s coat while providing repellent action against fleas and ticks. It is advisable to add these products to the usual grooming routine.

Use anti-tick collars

This type of collar is also often effective at repelling ticks and fleas. Depending on the brand, the same necklace can remain effective for months. When used in combination with other preventative measures, collars are the perfect anti-tick accessory.

Did you know that you can make your own homemade necklace? Simply spray any homemade repellant solution on a folded bandana, then place it around your dog’s neck like a collar. Vinegar, lemon juice, neem oil, cedarwood essential oil, and tea tree oil are some of the ingredients that you can dilute to apply to the necklace.

What to do as an owner to avoid ticks?

Putting the following tips into practice can help you reduce the risk of being bitten by ticks:

Keep lawns low, as well as gardens and patios free of weeds, leaves, debris, etc.
Inspect pets, yourself, and other family members after spending time outdoors.

When traveling through areas of abundant vegetation:

Wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes while outdoors.
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
Use a repellent containing at least 20% DEET for skin, and a repellent containing permethrin for clothing.
Walk through the center of the paths, not stuck to the vegetation.

Remember that…

Ticks can attach to any part of the body but are most commonly found in limited spots, such as the armpits and behind the knees. Once bitten, ticks do not shed in the shower.

Generally, ticks attach from below and crawl up. They don’t jump, fly or fall from trees; they crawl along the ground or vegetation until they find a good place to attach.

Repellents that contain DEET are not 100% effective in protecting us against tick bites. DEET only repels ticks in areas where they might bite, and that protection doesn’t last long. In contrast, permethrin does kill ticks on contact, providing long-lasting protection.

The best defense is achieved by using a repellent containing permethrin for clothing and one containing DEET for the skin.