With tick-borne illnesses rising across the country, knowing how to check your dog for ticks is as essential as remembering their kibble or grabbing the leash. It’s a simple habit that can help protect not just your dog’s health but yours, too.
The information provided on this site is based on my personal experience living with alpha-gal syndrome. I consistently cite and link to expert sources, but nothing published on this site should be perceived as medical advice.
Alpha-gal sensitivities vary by person. You should understand your dietary restrictions, making any adjustments needed, and directing any questions to your physician.
I didn’t grow up checking my dogs for ticks. But I also didn’t grow up with alpha-gal syndrome or two trail-loving pups who think every leaf pile is a party. These days, tick checks are part of my daily routine, right alongside two meals a day and lots of belly rubs. One missed tick can turn a great day outside into something much worse — especially when another bite could intensify a tick-borne disease like alpha-gal.
Let me introduce my fluffy butts! I share my home (and couch) with Hudson, an adorable but goofy Goldendoodle, and Oliver, a white American Staffordshire terrier/boxer mix who is as loyal (and protective of me) as they come. Living on two partially wooded acres and with miles of nearby trails to explore here in Kansas City, these boys spend a lot of time outside — which means I spend a lot of time checking for ticks, especially in the warmer months.
Even if your pup is on a vet-approved preventative, ticks can still catch a ride on their fur, sneak inside, and bite you instead. That’s why all pet parents should know how to check their dogs for ticks. It’s not just about keeping your pets healthy — it’s about protecting everyone under your roof.
In This Article
Why It’s Important to Check Your Dog for Ticks
Ticks are stealthy little vampires with zero respect for personal space — and they’re carrying some seriously nasty baggage. From Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, they can infect your pup with a single bite.
Common ticks across the United States include the:
- American dog tick
- blacklegged tick
- lone star tick
- Rocky Mountain wood tick, and
- Gulf Coast tick.
They hang out in tall grasses, wooded trails, and sometimes right in your backyard, just waiting for a ride.
Even if your dog’s protected with a vet-approved, year-round preventative, you’re not in the clear. Ticks can still catch a lift on your pet’s fur, hitchhike into your home, and sink their teeth into the closest, unsuspecting human. This means that regular tick checks aren’t optional, they’re essential.
Where to Look for Ticks on Your Dog
If a tick had a travel blog, it would be full of warm, hidden places with great blood flow and zero visibility. That’s exactly where they like to settle in on your dog. And that’s also why a quick once-over won’t shoo them from their favorite hiding spots.
To check for ticks on your dog, the CDC recommends that you start at the head and work your way down, examining your pup’s entire body. Be sure to pay close attention to these common hideouts:
- Head. Start with the top of your dog’s head and work your way down the muzzle. Ticks can latch on above the eyes, along the jawline, or under the chin. Be extra thorough around wrinkles or skin folds if your dog has them.
- Ears. Ticks love the warmth and folds inside and around your dog’s ears. Gently lift and check all sides.
- Under the collar. This overlooked spot is prime tick real estate. Remove the collar to check underneath it thoroughly.
- Under arms and legs – The skin here is thinner and warmer, making it a prime tick zone.
- Groin area. It’s awkward, sure. But ticks don’t care, and you shouldn’t either.
- Tail. Lift and inspect the base of the tail and around the anus.
- Toes. Tiny spaces like these are easy to miss. Feel between each toe like you’re checking for hidden burrs.
Use your fingers to feel for bumps as you go. Engorged ticks will be easy to feel, but ticks can be as small as a sesame seed, so feel carefully for smaller ones, too. Run your hands against the direction of the fur to catch anything that’s hiding.
Using tools can help make checking your dog for ticks easier, especially when dealing with thick fur (like Hudson’s) or tiny seed ticks that can still spread big diseases. That’s where TiCK MiTT can help.
Inspired by her own Lyme disease diagnosis at age seven, TiCK MiTT co-founder Olivia Abrams worked with a world-renowned tick expert to create a reusable mitt that traps ticks before they can embed. Demonstrating how easy it is to use, Olivia explains, “Simply swipe the mitt over exposed areas after outdoor activities, then heat it in the dryer to kill any captured ticks, making it ready for reuse.” It’s a simple, chemical-free step that can help you catch those sneaky bloodsuckers before they cause bigger problems — and maybe save you from plucking a bloated tick out of your dog’s ear later. Or worse, off yourself.
What to Do If You Find a Tick on Your Dog
First things first: don’t panic. And, don’t yank it off with your fingers. Removing a tick the wrong way can leave parts of it embedded in your dog’s skin, which can lead to irritation or infection.
The American Kennel Club recommends using a pair of tweezers (fine-point tweezers work best) or one of those clever tick removal tools. Get as close to your dog’s skin as possible, clamp gently but firmly around the tick’s mouthparts (not the body), and pull straight out with steady pressure. No twisting. No squishing.
Whatever you do, ignore any bad advice you may have received. This includes removing the tick using rubbing alcohol, baby oil, petroleum jelly, or a lit match. These methods can irritate the tick, causing it to regurgitate its contents — including potentially harmful pathogens — directly into your dog’s bloodstream. That’s the last thing you want.
Once it’s out, don’t toss it in the trash just yet. Place the tick in a small container with rubbing alcohol to kill it, or seal it in a plastic bag. After removal, clean the tick bite site with soap and water or a pet-safe antiseptic. (And don’t forget to clean the tweezers with rubbing alcohol before putting them away.)
After removing the tick and cleaning the bite site, keep an eye on your pup for the next few days. Watch for signs like loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, fever, lethargy, or unexplained stiffness. These symptoms can indicate a tick-borne illness and should be evaluated by your veterinarian. If something feels off, trust your gut and give your vet a call.
For extra peace of mind, head to TickSpotters. You can submit a clear photo of the tick (from the top), and their team of entomologists will identify the species of tick and provide expert tips to reduce your risk of future tick bites and tick-borne disease. It’s free, fast, and surprisingly informative — especially if you’re now thinking about every trail walk like a potential episode of CSI: Canine Unit.
From Trails to Tails
Spending time outdoors with your dog is one of life’s great joys, until a tiny, disease-ridden hitchhiker tries to turn it into a health crisis. Whether your dog is running through the tall grass along a wooded trail, lounging in the backyard, or just out for a stroll through the park, knowing how to check your dog for ticks is a quick but crucial step in keeping both of you safe.
It only takes a few minutes to give your pup a thorough once-over, and those minutes could prevent weeks of vet visits or worse. So keep those tick removal tools handy, trust your fingertips, and remember: the sooner you spot them, the sooner they’re gone.
