Ticks are small, but potentially dangerous, parasites that can attach to your pet's skin and feed on their blood. Knowing how to quickly and safely remove a tick can reduce the risk of infection and help keep your pet healthy.
Why Ticks Need to Be Removed Carefully
Ticks attach firmly to the skin and can carry diseases that can be passed to your pet. Incorrect or partial removal can cause parts of the tick to remain embedded and increase the risk of infection.
If any of the tick is left behind, don't try to remove them with the tweezers. Instead, clean the site completely with soap and water to disinfect it, then hold a warm compress to the area, which may bring the remaining parts to the surface of the skin.
What You'll Need To Remove A Tick Safely
- fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
- rubber or medical gloves
- rubbing alcohol
- a sealed jar or container with lid
- soap and warm water
- clean cloth or cotton pads
Step-By-Step Guide To Removing A Tick From Your Pet
1. Prep Step
Before you remove a tick, put some rubbing alcohol inside a lidded jar where you’ll store the tick. Don’t flush or trash the tick, because your veterinarian may want to test it if your pet gets sick after the bite.
2. Wear Gloves
Use latex or rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with the tick and the bite area. Disease-carrying ticks can enter bloodstreams through cuts or by touching eye, nose, and mouth areas.
3. Ticks Take Two
If you have someone who can hold down your squirmy pal, it’s time to ask for help. Next to the bite itself, your pet won’t enjoy the removal process, so having another person to calm and hold a wiggly pet makes things easier.
4. Easy, Tweezy
Dab rubbing alcohol on the bite site. Grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible with your tweezers or tick tool and pull straight up using steady, even pressure. Put the tick in the jar you prepared and close the lid.
Be careful to avoid jerking, twisting, or squeezing and crushing the tick. They can leave embedded mouthparts or infectious body fluids behind.
After you’ve finished, take off your gloves, wash your hands with soap and water, and sterilize the tweezers with alcohol.
Most importantly, watch out for possible infections.
Monitoring Your Pet After A Tick Bite
Keep a close eye on the bite site for the next few days. Watch for:
- extreme redness or swelling
- warmth around the area
- lethargy or changes in behavior
- loss of appetite
- Check with your veterinarian for a full list of what to look for after a tick bite.
