Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Sources: RSPCA, PDSA, UKHSA, Big Tick Project
The short answer
To check your dog for ticks, run your fingertips slowly over their whole body after every walk, feeling for a small, firm bump on the skin. Pay extra attention to the head and ears, under the collar, the armpits, the groin, the tummy, under the tail and between the toes. The PDSA says that if you check regularly after walks, you may find ticks before they have had the chance to attach. If you find one that is attached, remove it straight away with a tick removal tool.
- Check after every walk in woodland, moorland or long grass
- Feel with your fingertips: a tick feels like a small bump on the skin
- Ticks start roughly the size of a pinhead and swell to the size of a small pea
- Always look under the collar, inside the ears and between the toes
- Remove any attached tick as soon as you find it, with a tick tool
Why do owners miss ticks on their dog?
Because ticks are tiny at first, and they hide where you don't normally look. Most owners only find one by accident, during a cuddle on the sofa, days after the walk.
That isn't carelessness. The PDSA describes a tick as roughly the size of a pinhead before it feeds. On a thick-coated dog, that's almost impossible to see. You have to feel for it.
The good news is that a proper check takes about two minutes, and it soon becomes part of coming home.
How common are ticks on dogs in the UK?
More common than most people think. In the University of Bristol's Big Tick Project, about 30% of UK dogs checked at the vet were carrying a tick (Abdullah et al., Parasites & Vectors, 2016).
It's an everyday worry in the countryside. Many of our customers are in rural Britain, including the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and Yorkshire, where ticks are an everyday worry (customer reviews, read 27 September 2026).
When and where should I check my dog for ticks?
Check after every walk in tick country, all year, and especially from March to October. The RSPCA says ticks are active throughout the year, but peak tick season is from March to October.
According to the PDSA, ticks tend to live in:
- Woodlands
- Moorlands
- Places with long grass
- Areas with lots of wildlife and farm animals
Ticks don't jump or fly. The PDSA explains that they crawl onto dogs when they come into contact with them, which is why a dog pushing through bracken or long grass is the perfect target.
Where do ticks hide on a dog?
Ticks tend to end up in sheltered spots that are easy to miss. The PDSA says ticks are most common on the head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy, and the RSPCA adds several more places to look.
| Where to check | How to check it | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Head and ears | Feel around the face and ear flaps, then look inside the ears | PDSA, RSPCA |
| Under the collar | Lift or take off the collar and feel all the way round the neck | RSPCA |
| Armpits (under the front legs) | Lift each front leg and feel right up into the fold | PDSA, RSPCA |
| Groin and tummy | Roll your dog over, or reach under, and feel along the belly and inner thighs | PDSA, RSPCA |
| Under the tail | Lift the tail and check around its base | RSPCA |
| Between the toes | Spread each paw and look between the toes and pads | RSPCA |
What does a tick look and feel like on a dog?
A tick feels like a small, firm bump stuck to the skin, a bit like a wart or a skin tag that wasn't there yesterday. The RSPCA says ticks look like a reddish-brown, grey or black bump, with an egg-shaped body that becomes larger and darker when filled with blood.
The PDSA describes them as round and shiny, with a tiny head and a large, slightly flattened body. They can be brown, pink, purple or a bluish grey, and they have eight legs just behind the head.
Size depends on how long the tick has been feeding: roughly the size of a pinhead at first, growing to the size of a small pea (PDSA).
Not sure if it's a tick or a lump? Part the fur and look closely. If you can see tiny legs where the bump meets the skin, it's a tick. If you're unsure, ask your vet before trying to remove anything.
How do I check my dog for ticks, step by step?
Work from nose to tail with your fingertips, in the same order every time, so nothing gets missed.
Step 1: Pick a calm, well-lit spot
The back door, the boot of the car or the hallway all work. A treat helps your dog stand still and enjoy it.
Step 2: Start at the head
Feel around the muzzle, cheeks, chin and ears. Look inside each ear.
Step 3: Lift the collar
The RSPCA lists beneath the collar as a common place to find ticks, so slide the collar round or take it off and feel the whole neck.
Step 4: Work down the body
Use your fingertips, not your palms, and press gently through the coat to the skin. Go along the back, chest and sides.
Step 5: Check the hidden spots
Armpits, groin, tummy, under the tail and between every toe.
Step 6: Check yourself too
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises checking yourself, your clothing, your pets and others for ticks after spending time outdoors.
What should I do if I find a tick on my dog?
Remove it as soon as you find it. The RSPCA advises using a tick removal tool to twist the tick off, making sure you don't squeeze the tick's body or leave the head in.
Don't try to burn ticks off or use lotion to suffocate them, the RSPCA warns. If you're unsure how to remove a tick, contact your vet.
We've written a full guide here: How to Remove a Tick From a Dog (Safely, Step by Step).
What do UK vet charities advise?
The RSPCA and PDSA both advise regular checks, quick removal with the right tool, and tick prevention during the season.
- PDSA: check your dog regularly after walks, as you may find ticks before they have had the chance to attach.
- RSPCA: remove ticks with a tick removal tool; don't squeeze, burn or smother them.
- PDSA: contact your vet if you think part of the tick has been left in, if you notice redness, swelling or signs of infection, or if your dog seems unwell after having a tick.
- PDSA: for prevention, use a regular parasite treatment that covers ticks, or a tick-repellent collar, during the summer months.
Some ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease, the PDSA notes. The RSPCA lists the signs in dogs as depression, loss of appetite, fever, lameness, swollen and painful joints, swollen lymph nodes and lethargy. If you notice any of these after a tick bite, see your vet.
Lyme disease affects people too: UKHSA reported 1,581 laboratory-confirmed cases in 2024. It's one more reason to make the after-walk check a habit for the whole family.
How can I make ticks less likely in the first place?
You can't avoid ticks completely, but you can lower the odds. UKHSA advises sticking to clearly defined paths and trying not to brush against vegetation.
The other half is tick prevention on your dog through the season, with no gaps, alongside your checks.
Back up your tick checks: BIO-COLLAR™
For dogs that love woods, moors and long grass, the BIO-COLLAR™ is a plant-based collar made with essential oils, including lemon eucalyptus and citronella. It's designed to help keep fleas and ticks away for months, with no monthly spot-ons to remember.
- ✔ Plant-based essential oils, no synthetic pesticides
- ✔ Long-lasting: no monthly routine to forget
- ✔ Adjustable and water-resistant
- ✔ Covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee
Like all natural options, it works best as prevention, and no collar replaces a hands-on check. Keep checking your dog after every walk, lift the collar when you do, and see your vet if your dog seems unwell after a tick bite.
Myth vs fact
Myth: I'd see a tick straight away.
Fact: An unfed tick is roughly the size of a pinhead (PDSA). You usually feel it before you see it.
Myth: Ticks jump onto dogs from trees.
Fact: Ticks don't jump or fly. They crawl on when your dog brushes past (PDSA).
Myth: Ticks are only a summer problem.
Fact: Ticks are active throughout the year, with peak season from March to October (RSPCA).
Myth: Vaseline or a match will make a tick let go.
Fact: Don't burn ticks or use lotion to suffocate them. Use a tick removal tool (RSPCA).
Your after-walk tick checklist
✔ Check after every walk in woods, moorland or long grass
✔ Feel with your fingertips, nose to tail
✔ Look in the hidden spots: ears, under the collar, armpits, groin, under the tail, between the toes
✔ Keep a tick removal tool by the door or in the car
✔ Back it up through the season with long-lasting natural protection
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my dog for ticks?
Check after every walk in woodland, moorland, long grass or anywhere with wildlife and farm animals. The PDSA says regular checks after walks mean you may find ticks before they have had the chance to attach. Ticks are active all year, with peak season from March to October, according to the RSPCA.
Where do ticks hide on dogs?
The PDSA says ticks are most common on the head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy. The RSPCA also lists beneath the collar, under the tail, inside the ears and between the toes. Run your fingertips over the whole body, then look closely at each of these hidden spots.
What does a tick feel like on a dog?
A tick feels like a small, firm bump attached to the skin. The PDSA says it starts roughly the size of a pinhead and grows to the size of a small pea as it feeds. Part the fur to look: ticks have eight legs just behind a tiny head.
Is it a tick or a skin tag?
Look closely where the bump meets the skin. A tick has eight tiny legs just behind its head, and the RSPCA describes it as a reddish-brown, grey or black bump that gets larger and darker as it fills with blood. If you can't tell, ask your vet before trying to remove it.
What should I do after removing a tick from my dog?
Watch the area and your dog over the following weeks. The PDSA advises contacting your vet if you think part of the tick is left in, if you see redness, swelling or signs of infection, or if your dog seems unwell after having a tick.
Final thoughts
A two-minute check after every walk is the simplest thing you can do about ticks. Feel nose to tail, look in the hidden spots, and remove anything you find straight away. Then back it up through the season with prevention you won't forget, like the BIO-COLLAR™.
Keep reading
- How to Remove a Tick From a Dog (Safely, Step by Step)
- When Is Tick Season in the UK? (And Where Ticks Are Worst)
- Why Do Fleas Keep Coming Back After Treatment?
Sources: RSPCA, Ticks (rspca.org.uk); PDSA, Ticks on dogs (pdsa.org.uk); UK Health Security Agency, "UKHSA reminds public to stay tick aware this summer", 31 July 2025 (gov.uk); Abdullah et al., Parasites & Vectors, 2016 (Big Tick Project, University of Bristol). Charity and UKHSA pages read 5 October 2026. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet's health, contact your vet.