Short answer: Grasp the tick with fine-tipped tweezers as close to your dog's skin as you can get, then pull straight up with slow, steady pressure. Don't twist, jerk, or squeeze the body. Once it's out, clean the bite with rubbing alcohol, wash your hands, and watch your dog for any signs of illness over the next few weeks. That's the whole method — everything below is the detail that makes it go smoothly.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. I've pulled my share of ticks off dogs after hikes, and the biggest mistake I see owners make is rushing or grabbing at the tick with bare fingers. Slow and steady wins here.
What does a tick look like on a dog?
Ticks are small, spider-like parasites that latch onto the skin and feed on blood. Unfed, they can be as tiny as a poppy seed; once engorged, a tick swells into a grayish, bean-shaped lump that's much easier to spot. Run your hands over your dog after any walk in tall grass or wooded areas — common hiding spots are the ears, neck, armpits, between the toes, and around the tail.
How do you safely remove a tick from a dog, step by step?
According to the American Kennel Club, the goal is a clean, controlled pull that brings the mouthparts out with the body. Here's the process:
- Stay calm and get help if you can. Dogs read your energy. A second person to keep your dog still (and offer a treat) makes this far easier.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible, without pinching your dog.
- Pull straight up with slow, steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk — that can snap the tick and leave the mouthparts embedded.
- Clean the bite site. Wipe the area with rubbing alcohol or antiseptic, and disinfect your tweezers afterward.
- Dispose of the tick safely. Drop it in rubbing alcohol, seal it in tape, or flush it. Never crush it with your fingers.
- Wash your hands thoroughly once you're done.
- Watch for symptoms. Over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, limping, or swelling, and call your vet if any appear.
What if the tick's head stays in?
If a small piece of the mouthparts breaks off and stays in the skin, don't dig at it. In most cases the skin will push it out on its own, much like a splinter. Clean the area, leave it alone, and contact your vet if you notice redness, swelling, or signs of infection. As VCA Animal Hospitals notes, forcefully digging out a stuck head does more harm than the leftover fragment itself.
How do you keep your dog calm during tick removal?
The removal only takes a few seconds, but a squirmy dog can turn it into a wrestling match. A long-lasting chew is the best distraction I know of — hand your dog something to work on and they'll usually hold still long enough for you to do the job. Our bully sticks are 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, and fully digestible with no rawhide, which makes them a safe thing to keep on hand for exactly these moments. A good chew can also take the edge off an anxious pup — we wrote more about that in our guide to using chews to ease dog anxiety.
How do you prevent ticks in the first place?
Prevention beats removal every time. A few habits go a long way:
- Check your dog after every outing, especially in grassy or wooded areas.
- Use a vet-recommended tick preventative. Talk to your vet about the right product for your dog and region.
- Keep your yard tidy. Mow regularly and cut back tall grass and brush where ticks wait.
- Protect yourself too. Ticks latch onto people as readily as dogs — wear long sleeves and check yourself after walks.
The bottom line
Ticks come with the territory when you love the outdoors with your dog, but they don't have to be a big deal. Remove them promptly with fine-tipped tweezers and a slow, steady pull, keep the bite clean, and watch your dog afterward. When in doubt, call your vet. And keep a natural, single-ingredient chew nearby — it makes the whole thing calmer for both of you. If you want to understand what goes into a genuinely healthy treat, here's our take on the benefits of natural, healthy dog chews.
This post was last updated at August 15, 2026 02:30
