Dog tick guide
Found a Tick on Your Dog? Do These Things First
Remove an attached tick promptly, check your dog for more ticks, save the date and a clear photo, and contact your veterinarian if your dog seems unwell or you cannot remove the tick safely.
Published August 11, 2026 · Reviewed against CDC, FDA, and AVMA guidance
Immediate checklist
What to do now
- 01Remove an attached tick promptly. Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick close to your dog's skin and pull with slow, steady pressure. Do not twist or crush it.
- 02Clean the area and your hands. Keep contact with the tick and its fluids to a minimum.
- 03Save a clear photo and the date. A top view of the tick and a simple record can help later.
- 04Check your dog for more ticks. Also check yourself and anyone who handled the dog.
The AVMA advises prompt removal with tweezers held close to the skin. If you cannot remove the tick safely, contact your veterinarian. Read the AVMA external-parasite guide.
Where to check your dog for ticks
Run your fingers through the coat and feel for small bumps. Look closely at these places:
- ◆In and around the ears
- ◆Around the eyelids
- ◆Under the collar
- ◆Under the front legs
- ◆Between the toes
- ◆Between the back legs
- ◆Around the tail
The CDC recommends daily checks for pets that go outdoors and says to remove any tick you find right away. Read the CDC pet tick guidance.
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Dog tick encounter record
Make a short record that you can save or print. The details stay in this browser and are not sent to TickWarden.
TickWarden · dog tick encounter record
Record summary
- Date found
- Not recorded
- General place
- Not recorded
- Area on dog
- Not recorded
- What was found
- Not recorded
Actions completed
None recorded
This personal record is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Contact a veterinarian if your dog seems unwell or you need advice about the bite.
“Dog tick” can mean two different things
It can mean any tick found on a dog. It can also refer to species with “dog tick” in the common name. The American dog tick and the brown dog tick do not look the same and do not have the same range or habits.
Use the tick identification chart to compare common species. If you are deciding between two common lookalikes, see the deer tick versus dog tick guide. A sharp top view helps, so follow the tick photo guide before you discard the specimen.
When to contact a veterinarian
Contact your veterinarian if your dog seems unwell, shows a change in behavior or appetite, has many ticks, or you need help with removal. A veterinarian can assess your dog, local tickborne diseases, and whether testing or treatment is appropriate.
TickWarden identifies visible features in a photo. It does not test a tick for pathogens, estimate attachment time, diagnose disease, or tell you whether a tick transmitted an infection.
Choose prevention with your dog and household in mind
The FDA advises owners to involve a veterinarian when they choose a flea or tick product. Match the product to the animal's species, age, weight, and health. Read and follow the current label. A product made for dogs can be dangerous to cats.
Read the FDA product-safety guidance.
Plant-based product resource
If you want to review a plant-based topical, the maker of An Ounce of Prevention lists its ingredients, use directions, and warnings. This is a commercial product page, not independent veterinary guidance. Ask your veterinarian whether any topical product fits your dog and household.
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