Ticks on Dogs: How to Identify, Remove and Prevent

Ticks are tiny, eight-legged parasites that suck blood. Thanks to the UK’s mild, wet climate, they are now common even in city parks. The University of Bristol’s Big Tick Project found ticks on 31 % of dogs checked at random. At the same time, UKHSA estimates 2,000–3,000 new human Lyme disease cases every year .

If your pet spends time outdoors—from back gardens to wooded areas—it is at higher risk of a tick bite. This guide explains how to spot ticks on dogs, remove them safely, and stop them coming back. You will learn simple checks, proven tick prevention tips, and when to speak to your vet. Everything is based on UK scientific and veterinary sources, so you can protect your dog year-round.

What Type of Ticks Bite Dogs

Not all ticks are the same, but each one can harm pets. The three tick species most often seen on British dogs are:

All three wait on vegetation until a dog brushes past. They grip with barbed mouthparts and feed for days, swelling from an apple-seed to an egg-shaped body. Because ticks carry diseases, knowing which ones live near you helps you choose the right tick control products.

Are Ticks Harmful to Dogs?

A single tick bite can push bacteria into your dog’s skin and bloodstream. The biggest threat is Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Early signs include fever, stiff walk, and swollen lymph nodes. Untreated, it may damage kidneys or joints in both dogs and people .

Ticks also spread babesiosis and ehrlichiosis—conditions that destroy red blood cells, leading to pale gums and collapse. UK vets have reported babesiosis in dogs that never left Britain . Because ticks carry several different diseases, fast removal and prompt tick treatment are vital. Remember: catch Lyme disease early, and antibiotics work well; leave it late, and recovery is harder.

Where Ticks Hide

A 60-second check after every walk can prevent ticks from passing germs. Run your fingers through your dog’s coat, feeling the skin surface for bumps. Regularly check:

• Ears, eyelids and lips

• Collar line and armpits

• Between toes, groin and tail base

Lay a bright towel under your pet; dark dog ticks stand out against yellow. The PDSA suggests using a lint roller on the dog’s fur for loose parasites . On your own walks, stick to centre paths, tuck trousers into socks, and use a DEET insect repellent on clothes . These habits cut the odds of being bitten by a tick while you both enjoy the warmer months.

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Safe Tick Removal Step-by-Step

Removing a tick within 24 hours slashes the risk of infection. Keep a tick removal tool (available at vets, pharmacies and pet shops) in your pocket:

1. Part the dog’s fur so you can see the tick’s body.

2. Slide the hook under the tick and twist clockwise while lifting—this lets you remove the tick whole.

3. Drop it into alcohol or tape; that’s what kills ticks on dogs immediately once they are off.

4. Clean the bite area with antiseptic and note the date.

Never burn, squeeze or cover a tick with lotion; these tricks make it push blood back into the pet, raising disease risk . Watch the spot for redness, and start antibiotics if your vet advises. Good tick repellents and monthly tick control products then stop new parasites before they can suck blood.

What to Expect After Tick Removal

A fresh tick bite often leaves a small, red bump on your dog’s skin. That lump should shrink within 48 hours. A scab, light crust or slight swelling is normal; it simply shows where the tick’s mouthparts were plugged in to suck blood. Over the next two weeks, watch your dog regularly for fever, stiff walking or swollen lymph nodes—classic early clues of Lyme disease ticks. The Blue Cross notes that babesiosis and other parasite infections can take days or even months to surface, so keep a log of where you walked and when you removed the tick. If redness keeps growing beyond a 2 pence coin or you spot pus, phone the vet; infection needs quick help.

When to Call Your Vet

Phone your vet straight away if:

• the tick removal tool leaves any part of the tick’s body in place;

• your dog is dull, limping, or off food within a month of the bite;

• you discover multiple ticks or a nest of brown dog tick nymphs that could infest dogs indoors.

Vets can run blood tests, start antibiotics, and prescribe stronger tick treatment if needed. The British Veterinary Association reminds owners that some medicines are prescription-only to protect pets, people and the planet. Trying DIY sprays or unlicensed products can harm a dog or local wildlife. Always ask a professional before you start treatment.

Stop Ticks Before They Bite

Vet-Approved Medicines

Monthly chewables, spot-on drops and medicated collars kill ticks within 12–48 hours and break the tick life cycle. Check the pack licence; many UK products list the three big tick species—Ixodes, Dermacentor and brown dog—they control.

Natural Helpers

Rosemary, lavender and lemongrass borders repel other parasites as well as ticks. Light-coloured gravel paths make it easy to spot wandering dog ticks. If you try essential-oil sprays, patch-test a small area of pet’s skin first—some oils blister sensitive coats.

Garden & Walk Smarts

Keep lawns short, clear leaf piles, and block gaps under fences where other animals bring ticks in. When rambling, stick to centre paths, avoid long grass, and spray trouser legs with HSE-approved insect repellent. UKHSA’s “Be Tick Aware” posters show exactly how ticks wait on vegetation before latching on.

Tick-Smart Home: Bright Gear for Easy Spotting

Bright, high-contrast bedding turns tick-hunting into a one-look job. A dark parasite on a sunflower-yellow blanket is easier to see than on a brown sofa. FunnyFuzzy’s washable sofa covers can be boiled at 60 °C—the temperature DEFRA labs say is lethal to ticks and flea eggs—so larvae and nymphs never get the chance to mature. Pair that gear with a daily lint-roller sweep of your dog’s coat, and you turn the house itself into a frontline tick prevention zone. Less pesticide on the pet, fewer chemicals in streams: the BVA calls this a “win for pets and planet.”

FunnyFuzzy's  Washable Sofa Covers

FAQs

What kills ticks on dogs immediately?

Isopropyl alcohol or bleach kills a detached tick at once; licensed spot-ons and oral pills kill attached ticks within 12–48 hours.

Will a dog be OK after a tick bite?

Most dogs are fine if the tick is removed quickly and the bite is cleaned. Watch for fever, lameness or pale gums and call the vet if they appear.

What to do if you find a tick on your dog in the UK?

Use a proper hook or fine tweezers, twist gently, disinfect the skin, and note the date. Consult a vet if any part of the tick remains or you’re unsure how long it fed.

Can ticks transfer from dog to human?

Yes. Ticks can crawl from pet to person or drop off and search for a new host. Treat your dog regularly, check yourself after walks, and launder outdoor clothes hot to block that route.

Conclusion

Ticks on dogs are a year-round UK problem, but they don’t have to spoil your walks. Check your pet after every outing, remove a tick with the proper removal tool, and use vet-approved repellents during the warmer months. Bright bedding and trimmed gardens add another safety net. These simple habits stop ticks before they can push blood-borne germs into your dog—and they protect your family from the same threats. Stay alert, treat promptly, and your dog will enjoy the great outdoors in every season.