How to Check a Dog for Ticks

How to Check a Dog for Ticks at a Glance

Choose a bright and quiet place. Run your hands slowly over the entire dog and part the fur wherever you feel a small, firm or seed-like bump.

1. Inspect the head, face and muzzle.
2. Check in and around both ears.
3. Remove the collar and harness.
4. Inspect the neck and shoulders.
5. Check beneath both front legs.
6. Run your hands over the chest, back and sides.
7. Inspect the belly and groin.
8. Check all four legs and joints.
9. Inspect every paw and between each toe.
10. Check the tail and surrounding coat.
11. Look closely at every unfamiliar bump.

A tick can attach almost anywhere on a dog. Do not limit the check to the most common hiding places.

What Should You Do Before Checking Your Dog?

Prepare the area and equipment before beginning so the check remains calm and focused.

Choose a quiet place

Use a calm room or another secure area with few distractions. Keep other pets and children away when they make the dog restless.

Use bright, even lighting

Good lighting helps reveal small dark spots, legs and attachment points beneath the coat.

Avoid shining a strong light directly into the dog’s eyes.

Prepare useful equipment

Have the following nearby:

• A comb or brush
• Hair clips for long coats
• A handheld light
• Your smartphone
• Fine-tipped tweezers
• A suitable tick-removal tool
• Disposable gloves
• A sealed container or adhesive tape
• Small treats

Let your dog settle

Begin when the dog is calm. A check after a walk may be easier once the dog has had a moment to drink and relax.

Begin with normal petting

Stroke the dog in familiar areas before changing to a more deliberate fingertip check.

Ask another person for help when useful

One person can calmly support and reward the dog while the other parts the fur and inspects the skin.

The helper should not pin the dog down or use tight restraint.

Check the Collar, Harness and Outdoor Equipment

A tick may crawl beneath a collar or remain on equipment without being attached to the dog.

Remove the collar

Inspect the inside and outside surfaces, adjustment points, seams and identification tags.

Remove the harness

Check beneath every strap and inspect areas where the harness pressed against the coat.

Inspect the leash

Look around fabric folds, padded handles and attachment points.

Check coats and protective clothing

Inspect seams, cuffs and fasteners on dog coats, cooling vests or outdoor clothing.

Inspect bedding and travel equipment

Check blankets, carriers, car covers and bedding when the dog has recently visited an area where ticks may be present.

How to Check a Dog for Ticks Step by Step

Follow the same head-to-tail order each time. A consistent routine makes it easier to cover the entire body.

1. Start at the top of the head

Run your fingertips gently over the forehead and the area between the ears.

Part the fur around every unfamiliar raised or dark spot.

2. Inspect around the eyes

Look carefully around the eyelids and corners of the eyes without touching the eyeball.

Contact a veterinarian when a possible tick is attached directly to an eyelid or very close to the eye.

3. Check the muzzle and cheeks

Inspect both cheeks, the bridge of the nose and the sides of the muzzle.

Move long facial hair aside so the skin is visible.

4. Check beneath the chin

Run your fingers gently under the jaw and along the throat.

Do not force the dog’s mouth open.

5. Inspect the lips and visible mouth area

Look around the outside of the lips when the dog allows it.

Seek veterinary help if a possible tick is attached inside the mouth.

6. Check the outside of both ears

Inspect the upper and lower surfaces of each ear flap.

7. Look around the base of the ears

Part the fur where the ear meets the head. Ticks can be hidden inside folds or beneath long ear hair.

8. Inspect the visible inner ear flap

Lift the ear gently and look only at areas that can be seen safely.

Do not insert fingers, tweezers, cotton swabs or camera accessories into the ear canal.

9. Check the entire neck

Remove the collar and run your fingers around the throat, sides and back of the neck.

Part thick fur wherever you feel a small bump.

10. Inspect the shoulders

Move your hands slowly across both shoulders and the upper back.

11. Check beneath the front legs

Lift one front leg gently and inspect the armpit.

Look at the deepest part of the fold as well as the front and rear edges.

12. Inspect the front legs

Run your hands from the shoulders down to the paws.

Check around the elbows, wrists and other joints.

13. Check the chest

Inspect the breastbone and the area between the front legs.

Dogs moving through tall grass may collect ticks on the lower chest.

14. Run your hands over the back

Move slowly from the shoulders toward the hips.

Use gentle fingertip pressure to feel close to the skin rather than only touching the surface of the coat.

15. Inspect both sides

Check the ribs and flanks on both sides of the dog.

Part the fur around every unfamiliar lump.

16. Check the belly

Inspect the belly while the dog stands or lies comfortably on its side.

Do not force a nervous dog onto its back.

17. Inspect the groin

Check the upper inner thighs and the skin between the back legs.

These warm, protected areas can be easy to overlook.

18. Check the back legs

Run your hands down each back leg and inspect around the knees, ankles and skin folds.

19. Inspect the top of each paw

Move long fur aside and check the skin beneath it.

20. Check the paw pads

Look around the main pad and smaller toe pads.

21. Inspect between every toe

Separate the toes gently and check each space.

Stop if the dog shows pain or repeatedly pulls the paw away.

22. Check around the claws

Inspect the skin around the nail beds and dewclaws.

23. Check the base of the tail

Part the fur around the point where the tail meets the body.

24. Inspect the entire tail

Run your hands along the top, sides and underside.

25. Check beneath the tail

Inspect the surrounding coat calmly and stop if the dog becomes uncomfortable.

26. Recheck every suspicious area

Use bright light and expose the entire object before deciding whether it is a tick.

How to Check a Dog With Thick or Long Fur

A dense coat can completely hide an attached tick. Combine touch, careful parting of the fur and good lighting.

Divide the coat into sections

Work methodically from the head toward the tail. Finish one body area before moving to the next.

Use your fingertips

Run your fingers slowly through the coat and close to the skin.

An attached tick may feel like a small seed, bead or firm bump.

Move against the direction of the fur

Gently lifting the coat can make small bumps easier to feel and expose the skin beneath.

Part the coat down to the skin

Do not rely on seeing the surface of the fur. Separate it until the full outline of the bump is visible.

Use a comb carefully

A comb can help separate dense or long hair.

Do not pull the comb across an unidentified bump, as it may catch an attached tick or skin growth.

Use hair clips when helpful

Clips can hold long sections of coat away from the inspection area.

Check mats and tangled areas carefully

A tick may be hidden beneath tangled fur.

Do not cut close to the skin unless you can see clearly beneath the mat.

Use lighting from the side

Side lighting may create a small shadow around a raised object and make its shape easier to see.

Do not rely only on brushing

Brushing may reveal the coat, but an attached tick can remain close to the skin.

How to Check a Dog With Thick Fur for Ticks →

How to Check a Short-Haired Dog

Ticks may be easier to see on a short coat, but small nymphs can still resemble freckles, dirt or tiny scabs.

Look across the coat in bright light

A small raised object may cast a visible shadow.

Run your hands over the entire body

Do not assume visual inspection alone is enough.

Check skin folds

Inspect wrinkles around the face, neck, legs and tail when relevant to the dog’s build.

Look beneath equipment

Remove collars, harnesses and clothing during the check.

Inspect pigmented skin carefully

Dark skin spots can make a small tick more difficult to recognize. Look for a separate body and legs.

How to Keep Your Dog Calm During the Check

Choose the right time

Check when the dog is relaxed rather than highly excited or eager to play.

Use familiar handling

Begin with ordinary petting and gradually move to less familiar areas.

Use small treats

Reward calm behaviour throughout the check.

Check one area at a time

A predictable routine can make the process easier for the dog to understand.

Allow natural positions

The dog may stand, sit or lie on its side. Do not force it onto its back unnecessarily.

Take breaks

A second short session may be safer than forcing a nervous dog through a long examination.

Watch for stress signals

Stop if the dog growls, freezes, repeatedly turns toward your hand, tries to escape or shows signs of pain.

Seek professional assistance when necessary

A veterinarian or experienced veterinary professional should help when the dog cannot be handled safely.

Does the Bump Look Like a Tick?

A small lump in the coat is not automatically a tick.

Possible look-alikes include:

• A nipple
• A skin tag
• A wart
• A mole or pigmented area
• A small scab
• A cyst
• Another skin growth
• Dried mud
• A seed or burr
• Matted fur

Expose the whole object

Part the fur completely so you can see the full outline and the surrounding skin.

Look for a separate body

A tick normally has an oval, rounded or seed-like body sitting above the skin.

Look for legs

Small legs may be visible near the front or sides.

They can be hidden beneath the body or surrounding coat.

Inspect the attachment point

Look for the narrow area where the front of the tick meets the skin.

Check from more than one angle

A side view may reveal legs or show that the object is part of the skin.

Compare with the dog’s nipples

Nipples usually appear in two rows along the underside of the body.

Do not pull at a bump until you have checked its location and appearance carefully.

Do not squeeze or twist it

Manipulating an unidentified lump can damage the skin or crush an attached tick.

When Should You Check Your Dog for Ticks?

Dogs that go outdoors should be checked regularly, particularly after spending time in places where ticks may be present.

Check your dog after:

• Walking through long grass
• Hiking in woodland
• Exploring brush or leaf litter
• Visiting parks or fields
• Camping
• Hunting or working outdoors
• Playing in rural areas
• Contact with wildlife habitats
• Travelling to an area where ticks are common

Check after every higher-risk outing

A prompt check can help find both crawling and attached ticks.

Check before the dog settles indoors

Inspect the coat before the dog lies on furniture, carpets or beds.

Check again during grooming

Regular grooming provides another chance to feel unfamiliar bumps.

Check dogs using preventive products

Continue physical checks even when the dog uses a tick-prevention product.

Discuss prevention with your veterinarian

Ask which product and schedule are appropriate for your dog’s age, health, lifestyle and location.

What Should You Do If You Find an Attached Tick?

Remove an attached tick promptly and carefully with clean fine-tipped tweezers or an appropriate tick-removal tool.

Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it away using slow, steady pressure. Avoid squeezing or crushing its body.

How to Remove a Tick From a Dog

Wear gloves when possible

Avoid handling or crushing the tick with bare fingers.

Clean the attachment site

Use only a cleaning method or product known to be safe for dogs.

Record the date and location

Note when the tick was found and where it was attached.

Take clear photographs

Photograph the removed tick and bite area in bright, neutral lighting.

Check for additional ticks

Complete the entire head-to-tail routine even after finding one tick.

Monitor your dog

Contact a veterinarian if your dog develops unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, weakness, pain, lameness, fever or another concerning change.

Seek help for sensitive locations

Contact a veterinarian if the tick is near the eye, deep inside the ear, inside the mouth or cannot be removed safely.

When Should You Contact a Veterinarian?

Contact a veterinarian when the tick check or later symptoms cause concern.

Seek veterinary advice if:

• The tick is near the eye
• The tick is deep inside the ear
• The tick is attached inside the mouth
• The dog cannot be handled safely
• Several ticks are attached
• The attachment site becomes increasingly swollen
• The area becomes painful, hot or produces discharge
• The dog becomes unusually tired
• The dog stops eating
• The dog develops weakness
• The dog begins limping
• The dog appears feverish or generally unwell
• You cannot identify the lump confidently

Seek urgent help for severe symptoms

Seek urgent veterinary assistance if the dog develops breathing difficulty, collapse, rapidly increasing weakness, poor coordination or another serious neurological change.

Tell the veterinarian about recent exposure

Provide the likely exposure location, the date the tick was found and any photographs you took.

Common Mistakes During a Dog Tick Check

Looking only at the surface of the coat

Ticks can remain hidden close to the skin beneath thick or long fur.

Checking only the back

The head, ears, collar area, armpits, groin, paws and tail are easy to miss.

Forgetting to remove the collar

A tick may attach beneath a collar or harness strap.

Skipping the paws

Ticks can be hidden around the pads and between the toes.

Relying only on sight

Use your fingertips to feel beneath the coat.

Relying only on touch

Nipples, skin tags and other normal features can feel like ticks. Inspect every bump visually.

Pulling at an unidentified lump

Do not pull, twist or cut a bump until you are reasonably sure it is a tick.

Forcing a frightened dog

Stop when safe handling is not possible.

Assuming prevention makes checks unnecessary

Continue checking dogs that use tick-prevention products.

Stopping after finding one tick

More than one tick may be crawling or attached.