Ticks are bloodsucking insects which attach themselves to the host animal and can remain there for months if nothing is done. This can be dangerous for you and your animal, since ticks both carry and spread diseases, many of which can infect humans as well. Getting rid of ticks should therefore become a regular habit of grooming and maintaining your animal. Any time or money put into this can be considered an investment, since it can save you expensive vet bills in the long run.
Things You'll Need
- Tweezers
- Insecticide
- Tick collar
Instructions
If there are only a few ticks on the animal, in an easily accessible area, you can remove them with tweezers. Separate the animal's fur so that you can easily see the tick embedded in the skin. Then, gently pull the tick straight out with a pair of tweezers. Tweezers sold for removing ticks are obviously best at this. Make sure that you've removed the tick completely. A small hole should be visible in the animal's skin. If not, part of the tick is still there, and can cause infection. If you can't get it out yourself with the tweezers, call a vet.
Use insecticide. There are many different types and brands available at your local pet supply store or your vet. Usually you will just apply this to your animal's fur and then wait for it to kill the ticks.
Try a tick collar. These are also available at pet supply stores, and often have the advantage of controlling fleas as well. However, these often work more slowly and less effectively than insecticides.
Watch your animal carefully even after removing the tick. The tick may have already infected him with a disease, so keep an eye out for any strange behavior. If you suspect your animal is sick, call a veterinarian right away.