One of the major concerns of dog parents in India is ticks. They can breed virtually throughout the year in warm and humid cities such as Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi. German Shepherds are easy targets for these little bloodsuckers because they have a thick double coat. Ticks transmit serious diseases such as ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, which are also referred to as "tick fever". Learn how to get rid of dog ticks at home, step by step.
What You Need Before You Start
Have these on hand in one box:
- Fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal hook (available at most pet stores)
- Disposable gloves
- A small jar with surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol
- Antiseptic suitable for dogs (ask your vet which one)
- Cotton balls
- Treats, and a second person to hold and calm your dog
Step 1: Find the Tick
Do this in good light, after a walk. Gently run your fingers through the coat against the hair. On a German Shepherd, examine these spots carefully:
- Inside and behind the ears
- Between the toes and under the paws
- Under the collar and around the neck
- Armpits and groin
- Around the tail and under it
A tick feels like a small, hard bump. It may be flat and brown, or swollen and grey after feeding.
Step 2: Wear Gloves and Calm Your Dog
Have someone in the family gently hold your dog and give small treats. Wear gloves, as tick fluids can carry germs.
Step 3: Grip Close to the Skin
Part the hair so you can see where the tick enters the skin. Hold the tweezers as close to the skin as you can, gripping the tick's head and mouth area, not its swollen body. If you are using a tick hook, slide it under the tick until it is held in the slot.
Step 4: Pull Straight Out, Slowly
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk or squeeze. If you are using a hook, turn it gently as the maker directs. The goal is to remove the whole tick in one piece.
Step 5: Kill and Keep the Tick
Put the tick into the jar of spirit. Do not crush it with your fingers. Some vets recommend that you keep it for a couple of days in a sealed jar in case your dog gets sick, so it can be identified.
Step 6: Clean the Bite
Wipe the area with a vet-approved antiseptic, then wash your hands well, even if you wore gloves.
Step 7: Watch for Two to Three Weeks
Note the date. Tick fever signs often show up days or weeks later. Watch for:
- High fever and low energy
- Not eating
- Pale gums
- Nose bleeds or small red spots on the skin
- Limping or swollen joints
If you see any of these, visit a vet quickly. A simple blood test can confirm tick fever, and early treatment works best.
Mistakes to Avoid
Do not burn the tick with a match or incense. It can burn your dog and make the tick release more fluid.
Do not pour kerosene, petrol or oil on it. It is harmful to the skin and will not remove the tick.
Do not pull with bare fingers. You may crush the tick and spread germs.
Do not twist or yank hard. The head can break off and stay in the skin.
Do not leave dead ticks in the house. Females may lay thousands of eggs.
If the mouth part stays in the skin, do not dig for it. It typically comes out on its own. Keep the spot clean, and if it becomes swollen or red after several days, contact a vet.
How to Keep Ticks Away
- Apply a tick preventive all year, as recommended by a vet (spot-on, chewable or collar).
- Brush your German Shepherd daily. This also helps to control shedding.
- Keep grass in your compound short.
- Wash bedding in hot water once a week.
- If ticks keep reappearing, treat the home and kennel. Cracks in walls can be an excellent hiding place for ticks.
- Always check your dog after they have been in parks or fields.
Want to understand your dog better? Read our post on why dogs tilt their heads and our myth-buster on whether dogs see only in black and white.
It is important for every Indian pet parent to know how to remove ticks from dogs. Handle it calmly, handle it completely and keep watching your dog for the next few weeks.
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