How to Wash a Dog with Ticks

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Hard
30 - 50 Minutes
1 Week

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Introduction

Like most pet parents, you're probably aware of the threat of fleas on your furry friend and do what you can to prevent them. However, there is something more dangerous than fleas that poses a threat to your dog. 

Ticks often lay in wait in tall grass or thick, wooded areas. These parasites can transmit several diseases to your dog as they burrow into their skin, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. All pet parents should learn how to remove ticks and prevent them from latching on to their dog's skin.

Dog's Perspective

Tick bites can be irritating and unpleasant for dogs. Bites can also become infected, increasing your dog's discomfort. In addition, removing a burrowing tick from your dog's skin can be painful. Have some treats on hand to distract your dog while you remove any ticks from their skin.

Is your pup's long fur making it difficult to check for ticks? Book a dog groomer through Wag! and get your dog's coat a much-needed trim.

The Prevention Method

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2 Votes
Shampoo
Step
1
Avoid tick infested areas
Keep your dog from wandering in areas outdoors where ticks are common. This includes heavily wooded areas with lots of vegetation or tall grass. This can also include areas where local wildlife may roam, such as deer, raccoons, and opossums. These animals can carry ticks that will jump at the chance to infect your dog next.
Step
2
Use tick shampoo
Give your dog normal, routine baths with special shampoo that is meant to kill existing ticks and prevent later ones. These shampoos should be made specifically for dogs and will generally act like any other dog shampoo.
Step
3
Use a tick collar
Tick collars release medication into your dog's skin that kills ticks on contact. These collars are usually non-obtrusive and easy to put on; however, if your dog’s skin is sensitive, the collar may irritate the area around the neck. Do some research and determine which brand of collar works best for your dog.
Step
4
Check fur frequently
Even if you don’t live in a tick infested area, checking your dog’s fur every few days is an important step in preventing an infestation of any sort of parasite. You can do this by running fingers through the fur and doing checks around the body in the dark areas such as the groin, under the tail, on the belly, or around the ears and eyes.
Step
5
Try a prescription
Your veterinarian may prescribe some chewable medication that can help prevent ticks and fleas. These medications may, however, have side effects. It’s important to discuss the risks of each medication with your vet and choose which may be the most effective and least harmful for your dog.

The Removal Method

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Shampoo
Dryer
Towel
Step
1
Do a spot check
Every time your dog comes in from the outdoors, check the areas of their fur where ticks are most likely to bite. You can do this with your fingers, but you can also choose to use a hair dryer on its coolest and lowest setting, using the stream of air to part the fur and look closer at the skin. Make sure you check thoroughly, as ticks can be easy to miss.
Step
2
Use tweezers
Don't try to remove a tick with your fingers, as this can cause them to burst or burrow deeper. Tweezers will provide the best grip on the parasite and make it easier to remove. Grip the tick close to the skin with the tweezers, but don’t squeeze. You want to avoid popping or bursting the tick, as they are typically filled with blood which can cause an infection.
Step
3
Carefully remove
Carefully pull the tick upwards out of the skin in a slow, smooth motion. Consider getting a tick removal hook if you live in an area where ticks are common.
Step
4
Bathe thoroughly
Once the tick is removed, bathe your dog, using his normal shampoo or another shampoo that is especially for ticks and fleas. Make sure to wash every crevice where ticks may be hiding and consider using a small rag to lather up enough shampoo for a very thorough clean.
Step
5
Use a spot treatment
Once your dog is bathed and dried, use a spot treatment for ticks and fleas which are normally done via a small eyedropper and a few drops of the medication along the nape of your dog’s neck. This can help prevent other parasites from biting your dog.

Caution & Considerations

  • If your dog has too many ticks to be removed all at once at home, take him to a veterinarian or professional groomer who may be able to recommend a better option.
  • There are any number of flea and tick products on the market, all of which may vary in reliability. You may want to do some research and figure out which will best suit your needs.
  • Never try to pull a tick with your fingers, burn it off, try to kill it with chemical substances while it’s still on your dog, or throw the remains of a tick away in a trash can where it can get back out. Using appropriate treatment and disposal methods will help prevent further infestation or infection.
  • If you’re concerned about infection or your dog displays signs of illness, take them immediately to the vet. Tick-borne diseases can be serious and sometimes fatal.
  • Always wash your hands after removing a tick to prevent yourself getting ill. Ticks can easily transmit disease to humans, so it’s important to take precautions. 

Conclusion

Removing and preventing ticks on your dog is incredibly important to prevent them (and you!) from getting sick or infected with a disease. While prevention and removal can be a bit of a hassle, it will ensure that he lives a life that is free of parasites and illness caused by them.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question
Badger
Mutt - Possibly Beagle mixed with German Shephe
8 Months
0 found helpful
Question
0 found helpful
Badger
Mutt - Possibly Beagle mixed with German Shephe
8 Months

He has super long hair and gets all kinds of things in it that I know hurts him. You could almost feel any part of his body at random and their would be ticks there. People say not to take him to a groomer because he’s strictly a outside dog, but I have no clue how to get his super matted hair behind his ears and ticks and over his whole body. Please help I want to treat my dog better I know it hurts him.

3 years, 4 months ago
Badger's Owner

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