The Best Method for Tick Removal in a Pet

There are several tools and home remedies available to remove ticks from our pets. Unfortunately, many of those remedies do more harm than good. It was once popular to grasp the bloodsucking insects with tweezers, but that method often leaves the head embedded in its host, while removing only its body. Burning the ticks with matches might kill them but hurt your pet, and it also increases the likelihood of infection if the tick head remains in the skin. The best way to remove a tick from a pet is with a tick removal tool.

Things You'll Need

  • Latex gloves
  • Tick remover
  • Rubbing alcohol
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on a pair of gloves. Ticks carry diseases, including Lyme disease, so it is best to avoid direct contact with a tick.

    • 2

      Locate the tick on the pet. Ticks are round and brown. Once the tick is located, part the pet's hair so that the tick is easier to see.

    • 3

      Wipe the tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol to disinfect it.

    • 4

      Locate the small hole or notch on the tip of the tick remover, or open the jaws of the clippers-like removal tool. The tick will fit inside the small opening of the tool.

    • 5

      Hold the tool at a 45-degree angle and push down, positioning the notch or other opening around the tick.

    • 6

      Push the tool forward while applying light pressure. Continue to push forward until the tick is removed from the animal's skin. If using a tool that looks like clippers, squeeze the handles and lift up on the tick to remove it.

    • 7

      Throw the tick away and wash the tick tool with rubbing alcohol.