How to Remove a Tick From a Dog (Safely, Step by Step)

Last updated: 1 October 2026 · Sources: RSPCA, Blue Cross, University of Bristol Big Tick Project

The short answer

Use a tick removal tool: slide it under the tick as close to the skin as possible, then twist steadily in one direction until the tick lets go. Don't squeeze, burn or smother it. Check the tick came out whole, clean the area, and watch your dog for a few weeks. If anything seems off, call your vet.

• A tick tool is safer than tweezers or fingers
• Twist, don't pull
• Never squeeze, burn or smother a tick
• Remove ticks as soon as you spot them
• Prevention means fewer ticks to remove

What should I do if I find a tick on my dog?

Stay calm and remove the tick straight away with a tick removal tool, because ticks are very common and removing one properly takes about a minute.

A University of Bristol study found about 1 in 3 dogs checked at UK vets was carrying a tick. Doing it wrong can make things worse, so here's exactly what to do.

What do I need to remove a tick?

You need a tick removal tool, good light, a helper to hold your dog with a few treats, and somewhere to put the tick afterwards.

• A tick removal tool (a small hooked "tick twister" or tick card). They cost a few pounds from pet shops and vets.
• Good light
• A helper to hold your dog, and a few treats
• Somewhere to put the tick afterwards

Ordinary tweezers make it easy to squeeze the tick's body, which is exactly what you want to avoid. Here's how the three common methods compare:

Method	How it works	Main risk
Tick removal tool	Slides under the tick close to the skin; you twist steadily until it lets go	Few, if you twist rather than pull
Fine-pointed tweezers	Grip right at the skin without squeezing the body	Easy to squeeze the tick's body
Fingers	Pinching and pulling the tick	Squeezing can push blood and any infection back into your dog

How do I remove a tick from a dog, step by step?

Slide a tick tool under the tick as close to the skin as you can, then twist steadily in one direction until the tick comes loose.

1. Get your dog settled

Somewhere bright, with a helper and treats. Stay calm; your dog will pick up on it.

2. Part the fur

Find where the tick's head meets the skin.

3. Slide the tool under the tick

Get it as close to your dog's skin as you can, until the tick sits in the slot.

4. Twist, don't pull

Turn the tool steadily in one direction, a few full turns. Blue Cross advises twisting until the tick comes loose. Don't yank upwards.

5. Check it's all out

Look at the tick: head and legs should be attached.

6. Clean up

Clean the bite, then wash your hands. Blue Cross suggests getting rid of the tick by putting it in alcohol, or wrapping it in tissue and flushing it away. Never crush it with your fingers.

What should I never do when removing a tick?

Never squeeze, burn or smother a tick, and never pull or jerk it in a way that leaves the head in. The RSPCA and Blue Cross agree:

• Don't squeeze the tick's body. It can push blood and any infection back into your dog.
• Don't leave the head in by pulling or jerking.
• Don't burn it off.
• Don't smother it with Vaseline, oils or lotions.

What if the head is left in?

Don't dig for it: small pieces usually work their way out like a splinter. Keep the area clean and watch it. If it gets red, swollen or sore, see your vet.

What should I watch for after removing a tick?

Watch your dog for the next few weeks, and call your vet if they seem unwell or the bite gets worse instead of better. Most bites heal without any trouble. Look out for:

• Tiredness, or your dog not being themselves
• Going off their food
• A temperature, limping or swollen joints
• A bite that gets worse instead of better

These can be signs of a tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease, which the RSPCA says can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.

What do UK vet charities advise?

UK vet charities advise checking your dog after every walk, removing ticks as soon as you find them with a tool, and using tick prevention.

• Check your dog after every walk in grass, bracken or woodland.
• Focus on the head, ears, neck, under the collar, armpits, groin and between the toes.
• Remove ticks as soon as you find them, with a tool.
• Use tick prevention, especially from spring to autumn.

Can I stop ticks latching on in the first place?

Yes: regular checks and tick prevention mean fewer ticks to remove, and in peak season dogs who walk in the countryside can pick up ticks again and again.

The questions our customers ask us most are how long a collar keeps, whether it's safe to swim in, whether it can be worn with vet treatments, which buckle it has, and whether it's suitable for young pets (from Facebook and Instagram comments and support emails, September 2026). If you're comparing prevention options, ask those same questions of any product, and your vet, before you buy.

Myth vs fact

Myth: Vaseline or a match makes a tick let go.
Fact: Vet charities say never burn or smother a tick. Use a tool.

Myth: Just pull it out quickly.
Fact: Twisting with a tool is the recommended way to avoid leaving the head in.

Myth: Ticks drop off on their own, so leave them.
Fact: They can feed for days. Remove them as soon as you see them.

Myth: Short-haired dogs don't get ticks.
Fact: Any dog that walks through grass can pick one up.

Your tick removal checklist

✔ Keep a tick tool at home and in your walking bag
✔ Twist, don't pull
✔ Never squeeze, burn or smother
✔ Watch your dog for a few weeks afterwards
✔ Cut down on ticks with long-lasting natural protection

Frequently asked questions

Can I use tweezers to remove a tick?

Fine-pointed tweezers can work if you grip right at the skin and avoid squeezing the tick's body, but ordinary tweezers make squeezing easy. A tick removal tool is easier and safer, and costs a few pounds from pet shops and vets. If you're unsure, ask your vet to show you.

Do I twist a tick clockwise or anticlockwise?

Either direction works. What matters is turning the tool steadily in one direction, a few full turns, without pulling upwards, until the tick comes loose. Yanking or jerking risks leaving the head in the skin. Afterwards, check the tick looks whole, with its head and legs still attached.

Should I take my dog to the vet after removing a tick?

Not usually. Most bites heal without any trouble once the tick is removed properly. See your vet if the bite looks red, swollen or infected, or if your dog seems unwell, tired, off their food or lame in the following weeks. If you're ever unsure, a quick call to your vet is sensible.

Is it the same for cats?

Yes, the technique is the same: slide a tick tool under the tick close to the skin and twist steadily until it lets go. Cats are often less patient than dogs, so a helper makes it easier, or ask your vet to remove it. Don't squeeze, burn or smother the tick.

How do I stop my dog getting ticks?

Check your dog after every walk, stick to paths in peak season, and use tick prevention throughout the season, which runs mainly from March to October. Remove any tick you find quickly with a tool, and see your vet if you're unsure which kind of prevention suits your dog.

Final thoughts

A tick tool, a calm minute and a steady twist is all it takes. Then make it less likely to happen again: check after walks and keep protection going through the season, with something low-maintenance like the BIO-COLLAR™.

Keep reading

• When Is Tick Season in the UK?
• Why Do Fleas Keep Coming Back After Treatment?
• Can Indoor Cats Get Fleas?

Sources: RSPCA, Ticks on dogs and cats; Blue Cross, Ticks on dogs; Abdullah S et al., Parasites & Vectors 2016 (Big Tick Project). This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet's health, contact your vet.