Due to the mild weather, ticks are now active almost all year round.¹ These small arachnids use our dogs and cats as a source of food, and in doing so they can transmit pathogens which trigger dangerous diseases such as borreliosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and TBE.² In order to protect our pets, the tick should be removed as soon as it is discovered as these diseases can have serious, even fatal, consequences.³ The speed of removal is crucial, but so is the method used to take the ticks off.

Before the tick is removed, the following aids should be available:

• Clean, fine-tipped tweezers or other suitable tools
• Disposable gloves
• Disinfectants or antiseptic cream⁴
• Treats

Disposable gloves provide good protection against pathogens carried by ticks, which can enter the human bloodstream through injured skin. This risk arises if the tick is crushed and your skin, particularly on your fingertips, comes into contact with the tick's bodily fluids.^5,6

In order to remove the tick quickly, the infected animal must remain calm. This is easier said than done as it’s not always easy to keep dogs and cats still, especially when they are subjected to an unusual 'intervention'. Ideally, a second person should be present to help keep the animal still and calm or distracted with a few treats.

Animals must never be forced to keep still as some may become frightened or react aggressively if they cannot get away. If the animal is not still, there is also the added danger of only removing part of the tick, leaving the remainder under the skin and risking an infection. Additionally, if your pet is under stress then this situation may harm the sense of trust between you both. 

Our tip: Try to prepare your pet beforehand for necessary veterinary and grooming procedures that may cause them stress, such as visits to the vet, nail trimming, bathing, and tick removal. Consider seeking advice from experienced animal trainers to help you with this process.

Tweezers with fine tips are recommended when removing ticks.⁷ Alternatively, you can also use tick hooks, cards, snares and other tick removers. Use the tool that works best for you. They should be applied as close as possible to the animal's skin without applying pressure to the skin or the tick. The closer the tip of the tweezer is to the skin, the greater the chance of being able to pull out the entire tick.

The parasite must be fixed with an even pressure but do not squeeze the tick as this may cause it to release its infectious saliva into the dog or cat. Jerking or pulling out the tick, or—as was common in the past—twisting the tick, can be counterproductive as it may leave the mouthpart (the proboscis) in the animal’s skin. It is better to pull the tick straight and upwards with a slow, even movement. A look at the area will show whether it has been completely removed. If part of the tick is still visible in the animal's skin, a veterinarian should be consulted to remove the rest immediately.

The bite site should be treated with a disinfectant recommended by the veterinarian for such purposes.⁸ Pet owners must keep an eye on the affected area and on their animal. If the skin remains reddened and inflammation develops at the site, the animal must be seen by a veterinarian, especially if the affected dog or cat shows symptoms such as fever, fatigue or swollen lymph nodes, etc.⁹