Ticks burrow into the fur and skin of dogs and can cause serious illness if not removed. Although treating dogs regularly with a flea and tick repellent will help, it will not prevent all ticks from attacking your pet. Examine your dog daily during warm weather months and look for small, round insects. If you find a tick, remove it with a method used by both owners and veterinarians.
Things You'll Need
- Disposable gloves
- Mineral oil
- Tweezers
- Cup
- Cloth
- Water
- Disinfectant ointment
Instructions
Put on disposable gloves and rub your hands against your dog's fur while looking for small, round, brown or black insects. You may also feel a bump slightly smaller than a pea, which indicates the presence of a tick.
Pour one to two drops of mineral oil on top of the tick until it entirely cover the tick. Allow the oil to sit for approximately 20 to 30 seconds, which will cause the tick to let go of the dog's skin.
Grasp the body of the tick gently with a pair of tweezers once it releases from your pet, and pick it off the dog. If you feel any resistance, stop and add a few more drops of mineral oil until the tick releases.
Fill a cup with 2 to 3 ounces of mineral oil, and drop the tick into it. Leave the tick in the cup for five to 10 minutes until it is dead, and then dispose of it in the trash can.
Wipe the bite area on the dog with a damp rag to remove the mineral oil from her skin and fur.
Rub 1/4 teaspoon of disinfectant ointment onto the area of the dog's skin where the tick was attached to prevent infection.