How to Treat Dog Ticks

Ticks are annoying and dangerous parasites that affect many animals, including your dog. Dogs pick up ticks in your yard, in the park, in the woods, even from other pets. The tick buries itself in your dog's fur, bites your dog and then feeds on your dog's blood. The good news is that ticks are easily treated and prevented.

Things You'll Need

  • Tweezers or tick removal device
  • Cup
  • Antibiotics
  • Flea/Tick control shampoo, dip or powder
  • Topical flea/tick control medication
  • Neem oil
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove every tick you find. This requires patience on the part of you and your dog. Examine your dog's entire body, removing them as you find them. The best way to remove a tick is to use tweezers or a commercial tick removal device (check your pet store). Place the tweezers or device as close to the base of the tick (at the dog's skin) as possible and pull the tick off. Place the removed ticks into a cup and flush them down the toilet when you've finished.

    • 2

      Visit your veterinarian to discuss whether or not your dog needs antibiotics or immune boosters to bounce back from the tick infestation. Most times this is completely unnecessary, but if the ticks were really bad, it is better to be safe concerning your dog's health.

    • 3

      Treat your dog for ticks. Ticks can be killed and prevented using flea/tick control shampoos, powders and dips. You may also want to try a commercial flea and tick control product such as Frontline, which prevents ticks from infesting your dog in the first place.

    • 4

      Try herbal remedies for ticks. Neem oil is an all-natural insecticide and can be applied directly to your dog's skin to repel ticks without any dangerous chemical ingredients. Neem oil also repels fleas, mosquitoes and even flies.