Dogs and cats pick up ticks on walks, in the yard and on the trail, and they can carry them indoors to the rest of the family. A quick daily check is the easiest way to catch ticks early. Here's where to look and what to do when you find one.
How often to check
The CDC recommends checking pets for ticks daily, especially after they've been outside. It takes a couple of minutes: run your fingers slowly through the fur, feeling for small bumps, then part the fur and look at anything you feel.
Where ticks hide on dogs
Ticks head for warm, protected spots. The CDC lists these as common hiding places:
- In and around the ears
- Around the eyelids
- Under the collar
- Under the front legs
- Between the toes
- Between the back legs
- Around the tail
A magnifier and good light help a lot, especially on dark coats and for small nymphs.
Found one? Remove it right away
- Part the fur so you can see where the tick meets the skin.
- Grasp it as close to the skin as possible with fine-point tweezers. For a larger, engorged tick, slide a notched tick remover under it.
- Pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or squeeze the body.
- Clean the spot, wash your hands, and seal the tick in a vial if you want your vet to see it.
If your pet won't hold still, or the area looks irritated afterward, call your veterinarian.
Talk to your vet about prevention
The CDC suggests asking your vet about the best tick prevention products for your dog and which tickborne diseases are common where you live. One important note for cat owners: cats are very sensitive to many chemicals, so don't use any tick product on a cat without asking your vet first.
Keep a kit where your dog goes
If your dog rides in the car to the trailhead, that's a good place to keep a Tick-Away kit. It has fine-point tweezers for tiny ticks, a notched remover for big ones, and a magnifier for checking ears and paws.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Source: CDC, Preventing Ticks on Pets.
