Why Do Ticks Go on Dogs And How To Remove Them

 

A healthy walk through the neighborhood or a hike on your favorite trail is a fun experience to share with your pup, but what happens if you bring home an extra friend or two?

Keeping your pet tick-free is an important part of keeping them happy and healthy. If you spot a tick, knowing how to remove it can help prevent the transmission of Lyme disease and other illnesses.

Let the experts at Mosquito Joe® ️ offer some insight into keeping Fido bite-free, including how to remove a tick from a dog, and how to prevent it from attaching in the first place!

Why Do Ticks Like Dogs?

It isn’t uncommon to find ticks on dogs, especially if you live in an area surrounded by tall grasses or wooded areas. After all, dogs are a healthy food source for those pesky biters!

Just like humans, dogs attract ticks through their body heat, scent, and the vibrations made through their movements. Their thick fur also makes an ideal hiding spot for tiny ticks, giving ticks the time they need to fill up without being spotted. That same fur makes spotting a tick and the dog tick removal process a little more challenging than human tick removal.

Dogs and ticks also enjoy spending time in the same places While ticks love to live in wooded areas and tall grasses, dogs love running through those places.

What Does A Tick Look Like On A Dog?

Depending on the thickness and length of your dog’s hair, ticks can be easier to spot than smaller parasites such as fleas that move and jump around.

Adult ticks are flat and oval-shaped, ranging in color from brown and reddish-brown to black. As they feed on a host, their bellies expand, turning them more gray in color.

Seed ticks, or ticks in the larva stage, can also be a problem for dogs. These ticks are significantly smaller, about the size of a poppy seed. Since they have just hatched from their egg, you’ll usually find them in groups, so keep your eyes peeled for a lot of tiny seed-sized bugs!

Ticks love to attach in places where the fur is thinner, like their head or neck. They also like warm, moist areas like the inside of an ear, between toes, under armpits, around the groin, and under the tail.

How To Remove a Tick from a Dog

While you should get into a habit of checking your dog for ticks every day, you should especially check after time outside. Run your hands through your dog’s fur, stopping and investigating any small bumps you come across.

If you do find a tick, resist the urge to pluck it out by hand. Get a pair of tweezers (thin surgical tweezers work best) or a tick-removal tool, such as a tick key. Grip the tick by the head as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out with constant, slow pressure, being careful to avoid twisting the tweezers while pulling.

What To Do After Removing A Tick From a Dog

Place the removed tick in rubbing alcohol to kill it. Save it in a plastic bag in case your vet wants to test it. Rub a disinfectant or antibiotic ointment on the site where the tick was removed to help prevent after-bite infections.

Signs of tick-borne illnesses won’t show up immediately. After removing a tick from your dog, monitor your furry friend for unusual symptoms like fever, lethargy, or joint pain. A lack of appetite and vomiting or diarrhea could also be signs of a tick-borne illness in your pup.

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately. Ticks can transmit deadly diseases within 24 to 48 hours of latching onto their hosts, so regular inspection and monitoring are necessary to prevent illnesses!

Prevent Future Tick Infestations

The best way to protect your pup against ticks is to be proactive! Get tick prevention medication, apply natural tick-repellent, or specific collars from your veterinarian or trusted pet store. These options will give your pet the best chance of protection as they enjoy the great outdoors!

You can also take steps to prevent tick infestations before they start. Keep your yard well-manicured and free of unnecessary debris. Exploring professional tick control services is also a great idea to keep your backyard itch-free!

Mosquito Joe Has What You Need to Prevent Ticks on Dogs

You don’t have to fight the tick battle alone! Our Mosquito Joe services offer traditional and eco-friendly tick control options to help make your space more comfortable for furry friends.

You and your pup deserve protection and peace of mind! That’s why our services are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee!

Our professionals can help make your property more welcoming for your pets and less welcoming for unwanted pests! Request your free estimate today!

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.