Spring is here and as the weather gets warmer it is so tempting to take our dogs on longer walks outside and explore new hikes in the area. Keep in mind spring is also a time for ticks and other parasites to be lurking in the tall grasses and small shrubs near the trails. Always check your pet for ticks after any outdoor adventure and note any changes in behavior to your vet.

If you do happen to find a tick on your dog, it’s important that you know how to remove it. There is a rumor that using a match to remove a tick is the best way. However, you are more likely to end up burning your dog’s skin than removing the tick.

Instead, follow these steps to make sure you’re removing the tick from your dog’s skin properly:

• Clean the area surrounding the tick with alcohol.
• Use tweezers to grab the tick by the head, not the body.
• Pull upwards until the tick detaches. Some vets advocate turning the tick clockwise if it has burrowed deeply into the skin.
• If you pull the tick off, but the head is still attached to your dog’s skin, don’t worry. The head will most likely fall out on its own.
• Clean the area to prevent infection, and you can always consult your vet if you’re still worried.
• Once the tick is removed, do not crush it, as the blood it carries can be dangerous and harbor disease. Also, do not flush it down the toilet, as it can potentially crawl back out. Ticks are resilient.
• Instead, put the tick in a closed jar and drown it with alcohol. Your vet may ask you to keep any ticks that you’ve found on your dog for testing. That’s especially likely if it’s a species known to carry Lyme and your dog hasn’t been vaccinated.

Consult your local SPCA or vet clinic for preventative treatments or concerns about fleas and ticks! We take care to keep all dogs on a leash and do a tick check after each walk in the local trails. Contact us for more details about dog walking services.