Dog Ticks and Tick Removal

Dog ticks can transit serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so it is wise to do whatever we can to keep them off our dogs. This page looks at the danger of ticks to dogs. It also shows you how to remove ticks from your dog and how to use herbal remedies to repel ticks.

Unlike other parasites, dog ticks do not reside permanently on our four-legged friends. They just hitch a ride, get some free meals (blood), and then fall off to lay eggs.

There are different species of ticks that can affect dogs and transmit different diseases to dogs and humans as well. Some such diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and others. These tick-borne diseases are transmitted through the tick's saliva while it is feeding on the dog's blood. However, most of these diseases take 24-48 hours to transmit to the dog host. It is therefore essential that we check our dogs for ticks immediately after going out in the woods or other high risk areas. The sooner we remove a tick on our dog, the less chance of our dog getting any tick-borne disease.

Here is a video that explains in detail the danger of ticks to dogs:

Removing Ticks from Dogs

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it using a pair of tweezers. This is what you have to do:

Grab the tick as close to the head as possible, or grab the mouth parts right where they enter the skin. **Do not grasp the tick by the body, as the head may then get embedded in the skin.
Using steady and gentle pressure, pull firmly and directly outward, without twisting the tick.
Do not touch the tick since diseases can be transmitted.
Remember to wash your hands after removing a tick! Wash and disinfect the tweezers as well.

Watch this video to see a demonstration of removing dog ticks:

Soothe the Tick Bite Wound

After removing the tick from your dog's body, you can use a natural herbal ointment (such as comfrey) to soothe the tick bite wound.

Alternatively, dilute 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil in an ounce of water and use a cotton ball to apply the oil mixture to the bite.

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Herbal Dog Tick Repellents

The best way to deal with ticks is to prevent them from attaching to your dog in the first place.

Though conventional medications and tick collars can be effective, these are basically pesticides that stay on the dog's body for a long time. It is much better to use a more gentle and natural approach to deal with ticks for the sake of our dog's health.

Before going on a hike in the woods or fields where those tiny ticks may lurk, put some herbal dog tick repellent (see below) on your dog's coat.

After hiking, give your dog a nice massage. It is not only a great time for you to bond with your dog, but also a good chance for you to check your dog's coat for ticks and any burrs or foxtails in her coat.

Herbs and essential oils can be used to repel dog skin parasites such as ticks and fleas.

NOTE: When using essential oils, however, be sure to get 100% pure essential oils and NEVER apply undiluted essential oils directly on your dog's skin.

Here are some natural dog tick repellents that can easily be made at home:

Eucalyptus Herbal Powder

This herbal powder is an effective repellent for both ticks and fleas:

Mix equal parts of these dried powdered herbs:

Eucalyptus
Rosemary
Fennel
Yellow Dock

Put in a jar with a shaker top, and apply to your pet's coat 2 or 3 times a week.

Lavender and Thyme Tick Repellent Oil

Lavender essential oil is antibacterial; thyme thujanol is antiviral and an immune system stimulant. Thyme thujanol is also said to be effective in preventing Lyme disease.

1/2 oz Base oil (e.g. olive oil)
8 drops Lavender essential oil
4-5 drops Thyme thujanol essential oil
4-5 drops St. John's wort infused oil

Massage the oil on areas of the dog that are most likely to come into contact with ticks.

Geranium/Bay/Lavender Oil Blend

Ticks also hate geranium, bay, and lavender. Here is an oil blend that can keep ticks off your dog.

You need:

1/2 oz. (15 ml) base oil (e.g. olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil)
7 drops Lavender
5 drops Geranium
3 drops Bay Leaf

Apply a few drops of the oil blend to the neck, back, chest, legs, and tail of your dog.

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds that are secreted through the skin, and it seems that ticks as well as fleas do not like the smell. Therefore, to keep ticks and fleas from hopping on to your dog, feed her a bit of fresh uncooked garlic regularly.

Too much garlic, however, can cause Heinz body anemia in dogs and cats, so don't overfeed your dog with garlic! One clove of garlic per 10 pounds of body weight for dogs can usually be fed safely each day. (Read more information on the safe use of garlic on dogs here.)

There are also quite a few natural products of tick repellents that are effective.
Check out our page on Products of Natural Flea Tick Remedies for more information.
Also use the navigation bar on the left of this page to find more information on other skin problems and common allergies in dogs.