How to Remove Ticks From Your Dog

Ever wonder the correct way to remove a tick from your dog? Smothering the tick with nail polish or vaseline really isn't the best solution. This article outlines the easy steps for getting rid of those ticks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• tweezer
• container
• soap & water
• pet brush

1. Using your tweezers, grasp the tick's body as close to your dog's skin as possible because you want to remove the tick's body completely.

2. Once you have hold of the tick's body, slowly pull the body of the tick away from the skin, gently pulling it out. You want to avoid leaving the head in the skin of your pet.

3. Once you have the tick out, place it in the container so you can dispose of it. If the body is whole, dispose of the tick quickly in case it is still alive. You don't want to risk dropping it and having it on you or your dog again. Nothing more worrisome than a loose tick you don't know what happened to!

4. Disinfect the bite area on the dog.

5. Clean the tweezers and your hands and anything else that the tick or tweezers came in contact with.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have long grass in your yard, cut it short during the summer months
• Regularly brush and groom your dog, to help locate ticks
• If you live in an area with a lot of ticks, visit your vet or local pet store for tick gel that can be applied to the back of your dog's neck
• Ask your vetinarian or insect exterminator about other insecticides that can be used safely around your yard during tick season.

Resources

• About Ticks