Ticks are tiny but they pose a significant threat to our furry friends, especially during the warmer months. These parasites can latch onto your dog, causing discomfort, and if not promptly removed, can transmit serious diseases. Understanding what ticks on dogs look like and knowing how to remove them is essential for every dog owner. In this comprehensive guide, we discuss everything you need to know about ticks on dogs, including how to identify them, remove them safely, and prevent tick bites from affecting your pet.
What Do Ticks Look Like?
Ticks on dogs can be tricky to spot, especially if your dog has a thick coat. These tiny arachnids vary in size, ranging from as small as a pinhead to as large as a grape when fully engorged with blood. Generally, ticks have a round or oval-shaped body with eight legs and their colour can vary from light brown to dark grey, depending on the species and whether they have fed recently.
What Does a Tick Look Like on a Dog?
A tick on your dog may appear as a small, dark bump on the skin. Before feeding, ticks are usually flat and small, but once they attach to your dog and start feeding, they swell and become much more noticeable. They are often mistaken for a skin tag or mole, particularly in areas with little fur, such as the belly, ears, or between the toes.
Fully engorged ticks can look like small, greyish or brownish peas. The head of the tick will be buried under the dog’s skin, with only the body visible. If you part your dog’s fur, you might see a tick latched onto the skin, its legs moving or still, depending on how long it has been feeding.
Fully Embedded Ticks on Dogs
Sometimes ticks bury themselves deep into the dog’s skin making them difficult to remove. These fully embedded ticks can cause irritation, redness and swelling. It’s crucial to remove them carefully to avoid leaving parts of the tick’s mouth embedded as it could lead to infection.
How to Remove a Tick from a Dog
Removing a tick from your dog as soon as possible is vital to prevent the transmission of diseases. The process must be done correctly to ensure the entire tick, including the head, is removed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely removing a tick from your dog:
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing a Tick from a Dog
- Prepare Your Tools: You will need fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, gloves, antiseptic wipes and a container to dispose of the tick.
- Calm Your Dog: Make sure your dog is calm and still before attempting to remove the tick. Having someone help hold your dog can be useful.
- Locate the Tick: Part the fur around the tick to get a clear view.
- Remove the Tick: Using the tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the dog’s skin as possible. Be careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, as this could cause infected fluids to be pushed into the bite.
- Pull Out the Tick: Pull steadily and firmly without twisting. This ensures that the tick’s head is removed and not left embedded in the skin.
- Clean the Bite Area: Once the tick is removed, clean the area with antiseptic wipes to prevent infection.
- Dispose of the Tick: Place the tick in a sealed container or flush it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers as this can release pathogens.
What to Do If the Tick’s Head Is Stuck
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, parts of the tick’s mouth may remain embedded in your dog’s skin. If this happens, it’s best not to dig into the skin, as this could cause more harm. Often, the dog’s body will naturally expel these parts over time. However, if you notice signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus, consult your vet.
What Kills Ticks on Dogs?
There are several products available that can kill ticks on dogs instantly. These include topical treatments, tick collars and oral medications.
Topical Tick Treatments
Topical treatments, also known as spot-on treatments, are applied directly to the dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. These treatments contain insecticides that kill ticks upon contact or within a few hours. Popular products include Frontline and Advantix.
Tick Collars
Tick collars release chemicals that repel and kill ticks. They can provide long-lasting protection, often up to eight months. However, they need to be properly fitted to be effective and safe.
Oral Medications
Oral tick preventatives are given in pill form and work by killing ticks once they bite your dog. These medications are highly effective and can protect your dog for up to three months. NexGard and Bravecto are commonly used oral tick preventatives.
Natural Remedies for Killing Ticks on Dogs
Some dog owners prefer natural remedies, such as essential oils or diatomaceous earth, to kill ticks. While these methods can be effective, they may not be as reliable as traditional tick treatments. Always consult your vet before using natural remedies to ensure they are safe for your dog.
Tick Bite on a Dog: What to Watch For
After removing a tick, it’s important to monitor the bite site and your dog’s overall health. While most tick bites do not cause serious issues, some can lead to infections or transmit diseases.
Signs of Tick-Borne Diseases
Ticks can transmit various diseases to dogs, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. Symptoms of tick-borne diseases can vary but common signs include:
- Fever: High temperature that persists for more than 48 hours.
- Lethargy: Unusual tiredness or reluctance to move.
- Loss of Appetite: A noticeable decrease in your dog’s interest in food.
- Joint Pain or Lameness: Limping or stiffness, particularly in the legs.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes, especially near the site of the tick bite.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to contact your vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Tick Treatment for Dogs
Preventing ticks from latching onto your dog is the best way to protect them from tick-borne diseases. There are various tick treatment options available that can help keep your dog tick-free.
Preventative Tick Treatments
Preventative treatments are essential during tick season, which typically runs from spring through fall, though ticks can be active year-round in some areas.
Spot-On Treatments
Spot-on treatments are a popular choice for tick prevention. These are easy to apply and provide protection for up to a month. They work by killing ticks before they can attach and feed.
Oral Medications
Oral medications are another effective option for tick prevention. These medications are usually given once a month and work by killing ticks that bite your dog.
Tick Collars
Tick collars are an excellent long-term solution for tick prevention. They release chemicals that repel and kill ticks providing protection for several months.
Regular Check-Ups and Grooming
Even with the best preventative measures, it’s essential to check your dog regularly for ticks, especially after walks in wooded or grassy areas. Regular grooming, including brushing and bathing, can also help you spot ticks early.
Ticks on Dogs UK: What to Know
In the UK, ticks are particularly active during the warmer months but they can be found year-round, especially in mild, humid areas. Common tick species in the UK include the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus), the hedgehog tick (Ixodes hexagonus), and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Each of these can carry and transmit diseases like Lyme disease to dogs.
High-Risk Areas in the UK
Ticks are most found in grassy, wooded and rural areas but they can also be present in urban parks and gardens. Regions with dense deer populations, such as Scotland and parts of southern England, are particularly high-risk areas for ticks.
How to Protect Your Dog in the UK
In addition to using preventative tick treatments, consider the following tips to protect your dog from ticks in the UK:
- Avoid High-Risk Areas: During peak tick season, avoid walking your dog in high-risk areas like dense forests and tall grass.
- Use Tick Repellents: Apply tick repellents to your dog’s fur before walks in areas where ticks are likely to be present.
- Regularly Check Your Dog: After outdoor activities, thoroughly check your dog for ticks, paying close attention to the ears, belly and between the toes.
Conclusion
Ticks on dogs are more than just a nuisance - they can pose serious health risks to your furry friend. Knowing what ticks look like, how to remove them and how to prevent tick bites is crucial for keeping your dog healthy and happy. By using appropriate tick treatments and remaining vigilant, you can protect your dog from the danger’s ticks present. Always consult your veterinarian for the best tick prevention strategy tailored to your dog’s needs.
Remember, quick and proper removal of ticks is key to preventing potential infections and diseases. So, the next time you spot a tick on your dog, follow the steps outlined in this guide to ensure your pet stays safe and tick-free.