Tweezers gripping a tick close to a dog's skin, how to remove a tick from a dog

How to Remove a Tick From a Dog Safely: Step by Step, and What Not to Do (India Guide)

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Last checked against the sources below on 23-10-2026. This is general information; see your vet if your dog seems unwell.

Found a tick on your dog? Removing it quickly and properly matters, because ticks carry infections. This guide shows how to remove a tick from a dog step by step, using the method recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and explains why ticks are a real concern for dogs in India. For more on caring for dogs, visit our dog hub.

Why ticks matter for dogs in India

  • A study of 525 dogs in Delhi, Mumbai, Sikkim and Ladakh found that 49.7% carried at least one tick-borne pathogen. [S2]
  • The most common were Hepatozoon canis (30%) and Ehrlichia canis (20.6%); Babesia and Anaplasma were also found. [S2]
  • About 39% of infected dogs had more than one infection. [S2]
  • Ticks were found on 53% of the dogs, and Rhipicephalus was the most common tick. [S2]

What you need

  • Clean, fine-tipped tweezers (regular tweezers will do if that’s all you have). [S1]
  • Soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser. [S1]
  • A small container with alcohol, or tape, to dispose of the tick. [S1]
  • A helper to hold your dog still, and a treat.

How to remove a tick from a dog, step by step

  1. Part the fur so you can see where the tick is attached.
  2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with the tweezers, without squeezing its body. [S1]
  3. Pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk, as that can break off the mouthparts. [S1]
  4. If mouthparts stay in the skin, try to remove them with the tweezers. If they won’t come out easily, leave them; the skin will push them out as it heals. [S1]
  5. Dispose of the tick: seal it in a container, wrap it tightly in tape, put it in alcohol, or flush it. Don’t crush it with your fingers. [S1]
  6. Clean the bite and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser. [S1]
  7. Check for more ticks, especially around the ears, between the toes, under the collar and around the tail.

What not to do

  • Don’t use petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat or other substances to make the tick let go. The CDC warns these can agitate the tick and force infected fluid into the skin. [S1]
  • Don’t squeeze the tick’s body with your fingers or the tweezers. [S1]
  • Don’t twist or jerk. [S1]

After removal: what to watch for

Tick-borne infections in dogs can cause fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, pale gums or unusual bleeding. If you notice any of these in the weeks after a tick bite, take your dog to the vet and tell them about the tick. Because co-infections are common, your vet may test for more than one disease. [S2]

Preventing ticks

  • Ask your vet about a tick preventive suited to your dog’s age and weight, and use it on schedule.
  • Check your dog for ticks after every walk, especially in grass or near other dogs.
  • Wash your dog’s bedding regularly.

The Pawsitive Hoomans Take

With around half the dogs tested in that Indian study carrying a tick-borne infection, ticks aren’t a minor nuisance. Keep fine-tipped tweezers in your dog kit, check after every walk, and don’t let a vet visit slide if your dog goes off its food after a tick bite.

🐾 Log tick treatments and vet visits in a free Pet Passport, and set reminders with our Vaccination Tracker.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest way to remove a tick from a dog?

Grasp it close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull straight out with steady pressure, without twisting or squeezing. [S1]

Should I put oil or Vaseline on a tick?

No. Petroleum jelly, nail polish and heat can force infected fluid into the skin. [S1]

What if the tick’s head stays in?

Try to remove it with tweezers; if it won’t come out easily, leave it and let the skin heal. [S1]

Are tick diseases common in Indian dogs?

Yes. A study of 525 dogs found 49.7% carried at least one tick-borne pathogen. [S2]

Sources and last checked

  • [S1] US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, What to do after a tick bite – cdc.gov – Last checked: 23-10-2026
  • [S2] Abd Rani PAM, Irwin PJ, Gatne M, Coleman GT, Traub RJ et al., A survey of canine tick-borne diseases in India, Parasites & Vectors 4:141 (2011) – pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – Last checked: 23-10-2026

Disclaimer: PawsitiveHoomans is an independent information resource. This is general information, not veterinary advice; consult your vet about your dog.