Vet Minute: How to Remove a Tick From a Dog

Last updated: May 06, 2020

In this Vet Minute, Dr. Marty Greer, Revival's Director of Veterinary Services, shows how to take a tick off a dog.
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Help protect your pet from tick bites! The Revival Flea & Tick Finder helps you select the best personalized tick protection for your dog or cat.

How Do You Remove a Tick from a Dog?

Ticks are parasites that can spread infection and diseases such as Lyme disease. Removing them can be tricky.

Removing a Tick from a Dog

If you do find a tick on your dog, to remove it you will need the following: a pair of exam gloves to protect you from exposure to the tick saliva, good lighting and a tick remover. First put the gloves on and spread the dog's hair to get a good look at the tick. Make sure you are removing a tick and not part of your dog. Then using the tick remover, carefully remove the tick, careful not to squeeze the tick. If you squeeze the tick during removal it will infuse your dog with more tick contents increasing their risk of developing one or more diseases. Of course, using a tick preventive for dogs such as Frontline Plus for Dogs^® or K9 Advantix^® or Bravecto™ help protect your dog to kill most ticks including those that may transmit Lyme disease.

What Tick Preventation is Best for Dogs?

Choosing the best tick prevention for your dog can be overwhelming. There are a lot of good and effective options. The Revival Flea and Tick Finder is a free tool to help you find the best tick and flea prevention for your pet. Try it today!

Marty Greer, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has 35+ years' experience in veterinary medicine, with special interests in canine reproduction and pediatrics. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1981. She's served as Revival's Director of Veterinary Services since 2019.