Last Updated: 13/07/2026
How to Remove a Tick from Your Dog
Found a tick on your dog? Don't panic. Our expert vet guide shows you how to safely remove ticks using tweezers or a tick tool, identifies common Australian ticks, and explains the warning signs of tick paralysis every pet parent should know.
Author: Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Finding a tiny hitchhiker on your dog after a bush walk can be a real worry. In Australia, these small parasites are more than just a nuisance; they can carry serious diseases or even inject life-threatening toxins. Whether it's the notorious paralysis tick or the spread of Ehrlichiosis, acting quickly and correctly is the best way to keep your best mate safe. For the bigger picture, see our guide to ticks on dogs. This guide walks you through the safe removal process and what to watch for once the tick is gone.
How to safely remove a tick from your dog
- Use a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or squeeze the body. You can use treats to distract your pup while you do this.
Using tweezers vs tick removal tools
Tweezers
- If you have a spare pair of hands grab a friend to help you hold your pup while you spread the fur and locate the tick.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible (taking care not to pinch your dog's skin)
- Pull steadily upwards (No twisting needed in this method)
Tick removal tool
Follow the same prep as you would for tweezers but instead of tweezers, use your tick remover tool:
- Choose the most suitable hook according to the size of the tick
- Engage the hook by approaching the tick from the side until it is held
- Lift the hook lightly and turn it. The tick will detach itself after 2 or 3 rotations
What to do if the tick head is left behind
Once the tick has been removed from your pet, check the skin to make sure the tick has been removed in its entirety. In some cases the mouthparts can stay stuck in the skin and only the tick's body is removed.
If this is the case, once again, don't panic! If you try to dig the mouthparts out you can end up doing more harm than good and it can be painful for your pup. In most cases your pets immune system will recognise the mouthparts as foreign and eventually expel it on its own, however there is a slightly increased risk of infection. It's a good idea to check in with your vet if you are concerned or notice any redness, swelling, discharge or irritation at the tick removal site.
Post-tick removal care
Place the tick in some isopropyl alcohol to kill it and then store it in a sealed container, you can then show this to your vet for species identification if needed.
The type of tick matters. Paralysis ticks can make your dog seriously unwell, so it’s worth knowing what you’re dealing with. Keep the tick in the sealed container and check our guide to identifying a paralysis tick. Either way, you're vet will be able to confirm the species.
Use antiseptic wipes or an antiseptic ointment to clean and disinfect the site on your pet's skin after removal.
Where to check your dog for ticks
Ticks love warm, moist, hidden spots, so a proper search means going over your dog by hand, not just by eye. Work slowly from nose to tail in good light, parting the fur down to the skin as you go.
Pay special attention to the ears (inside and out), around the eyes and muzzle, under the collar, the armpits, the groin, between the toes, and around the base of the tail and bottom. Run your fingertips over the skin and feel for any small lumps: an attached tick can feel like a little raised wart.
Long-haired dogs need extra care, and it’s worth doing a full check after every walk through bushy or grassy areas
Using a regular tick preventative remains the most effective way to ensure your dog stays "tick-free" and ready for their next adventure.
How do I know if my dog has tick paralysis?
If you live in a tick paralysis region and have removed a tick from your pet it's best to contact your vet for advice. Tick paralysis symptoms can develop even after the tick has been removed so it's important to monitor your pet for any changes such as:
- A change in the sound of their bark
- Wobbliness (particularly in the back legs)
- Difficulty sitting or standing
- Coughing or gagging
- Laboured breathing
- Vomiting
If you see any of these symptoms after finding a tick, seek urgent veterinary care.
Learn more in How Do Dogs Get Ticks?
There are a wide range of tick-preventative products available which are highly-effective. Read through our guide to the Best Flea and Tick Preventatives, and Is a Tick Collar Enough?
FAQs
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 20 Jan 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Contributing Author, BVSc
Dr Samantha works as a companion animal veterinarian in Melbourne. Graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 2015. I have worked in NZ, across the UK and in Australia. Special interests include wildlife and senior pet medicine.
