How do I safely remove a tick from my dog?

Use a proper tick removal tool rather than fingers or tweezers where possible. Slide it under the tick as close to the dog's skin as you can, then twist and pull straight out in one steady motion, rather than yanking or squeezing the tick's body. Never use a lit match, alcohol, petroleum jelly or nail varnish to try to make it let go first, this can cause it to release more of its contents into the bite.

What does a tick look like on a dog?

An unfed tick is small, greyish-brown and spider-like, often no bigger than a poppy seed, which is why they're so easy to miss in a quick glance. Once they've been feeding for a day or two they swell up into a grey or dull blue-green pea-like blob, still with tiny legs visible near the head if you look closely, which is what distinguishes it from a skin tag or wart.

What are the signs of tick-borne illness in dogs?

Watch for lethargy, a high temperature, loss of appetite, and lameness or swollen, painful joints that can appear days or even weeks after a bite. These can be signs of Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness and are worth a vet visit, particularly if you know your dog has been bitten recently.

Guides

Ticks and Your Dog: What Every UK Owner Should Know

Ticks are one of those things I get asked about constantly, especially once the grass gets long and the weather warms up. They're small, easy to miss, and I know they make some owners a bit squeamish, but a bit of know-how takes all the stress out of dealing with them. Here's what I check for on every dog in my care, and what I'd want every owner to know.

Are ticks a problem in the UK?

Yes. Ticks are common across the UK and can turn up on dogs, especially from spring through to autumn when they're most active. They live in woodland, grassland, heathland and anywhere with long grass or leaf litter, including plenty of the spots in my guide to the best places to walk dogs in Peterborough. Most tick bites don't cause any lasting harm, but ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, so they're worth taking seriously rather than ignoring.

It's not just anecdotal, either. UKHSA's Tick Surveillance Scheme, which has tracked tick submissions across the UK since 2005, recorded a clear seasonal spike in 2025: 166 tick records that June alone, above the 10-year average of 145 for that month, before tailing off through autumn and winter.

Where dogs pick up ticks

Ticks don't jump or fly. They climb up onto grass, bracken or the edge of a leaf and wait with their front legs outstretched, a behaviour called "questing", ready to latch on as soon as a dog (or person) brushes past. That's why they're so common in long grass, woodland edges and scrubby, overgrown areas, and much rarer on a short, open lawn or a hard-surfaced path.

Checking your dog after a walk

I run my hands slowly over every dog after a walk during tick season, feeling for anything that wasn't there before. A tick can hide almost anywhere, but I pay particular attention to:

Around the ears and inside the ear flaps
The head, neck and under the collar
Between the toes and around the paws
The armpits and groin
Anywhere the coat is thinner or the skin is exposed

It only takes a couple of minutes, and it's worth doing every time during the warmer months, not just when you remember.

What does a tick look like?

A grey, pea-sized tick attached to the neck fur of a golden retriever dog — Photo via Horizon Pest Control

An unfed tick is small, greyish-brown and spider-like, often no bigger than a poppy seed, which is exactly why they're so easy to miss on a quick check. Once they've been feeding for a day or two they swell into a dull grey or blue-green pea-sized blob. Even then, if you look closely you can usually still see tiny legs near the head, which is the easiest way to tell a tick apart from a skin tag or wart.

Myth

Ticks jump or fly onto dogs from trees or bushes.

Fact

They can't jump or fly at all. They climb onto vegetation and grab hold as a dog brushes past, which is why staying on clearer paths in long grass season helps.

Myth

A tick bite always means my dog will get ill.

Fact

Most tick bites cause no lasting harm at all. Removing the tick promptly and correctly makes disease transmission far less likely, which is exactly why a quick check after every walk matters.

How to remove a tick safely

Use a proper tick removal tool if you have one, they're inexpensive and widely available from vets and pet shops, and make this far easier than fingers or ordinary tweezers.
Slide the tool under the tick, as close to your dog's skin as you can get.
Twist and pull straight out in one steady, gentle motion. Don't yank or squeeze the tick's body.
Once it's out, clean the bite site with some pet-safe antiseptic and keep an eye on it over the following days.

Never use a lit match, alcohol, petroleum jelly or nail varnish to try to make a tick let go first. This can stress the tick into releasing more of its stomach contents into the bite, which is the opposite of what you want.

If you can't remove a tick fully, notice the head has stayed in the skin, or you're simply not confident doing it yourself, contact your vet, they'll happily do it for you.

A healing tick bite mark on a dog's skin after the tick has been removed — “dog-tick-bite” by Megan Marrs, CC BY 2.0 (cropped)

It's normal for the bite site to look a little red and irritated for a day or two afterwards, as in the photo above. If it keeps growing, develops a rash around it, or your dog seems unwell, get it checked by a vet.

Signs of tick-borne illness

Watch for lethargy, a high temperature, loss of appetite, and lameness or swollen, painful joints, these can appear days or even weeks after a bite, not just immediately. If you spot any of these, especially if you know your dog has picked up a tick recently, it's worth a trip to the vet.

Not veterinary advice: this guide is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you're ever worried about a bite, a tick you can't remove, or your dog seems unwell, please speak to your vet.

Prevention

A few habits go a long way:

Ask your vet about a suitable year-round tick preventative for your dog, there are several types and the right one depends on your dog and lifestyle
Check your dog after every walk during spring, summer and autumn, not just if they seem itchy
Stick to clearer, well-trodden paths rather than pushing through long grass or bracken where you can
Keep your own garden grass reasonably short if your dog spends a lot of time in it

Ticks aren't something to panic about, just something to stay on top of. If you're ever unsure about a tick, a bite, or anything else, message me, I'm always happy to talk it through.