How should I comb a dog to remove ticks? - briefly
Use a fine‑toothed tick comb, moving it from head to tail while parting the coat and inspecting each pass for parasites; when a tick is seized, grasp it near the skin with tweezers and pull straight out.
How should I comb a dog to remove ticks? - in detail
When removing ticks from a dog, a systematic combing routine minimizes the risk of leaving mouthparts embedded and reduces stress for the animal.
A fine‑toothed tick comb, a pair of disposable gloves, a container with a lid, antiseptic solution, and a towel are essential. Choose a comb with teeth spaced 0.5 mm apart; this size captures adult ticks while allowing the hair to pass through.
- Secure the dog in a calm environment; a short walk or gentle play can help relax the animal.
- Put on gloves to protect against potential pathogen transmission.
- Begin at the head, holding a small section of coat between thumb and forefinger.
- Drag the comb through the hair toward the tail in a slow, steady motion.
- When a tick adheres to a tooth, pause, grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible, and pull upward with steady pressure.
- Place the removed tick in the sealed container for proper disposal.
- After each removal, wipe the comb teeth with antiseptic to prevent cross‑contamination.
- Continue the process along the entire body, paying special attention to areas where ticks commonly attach: ears, neck, armpits, groin, and between the toes.
Following the combing session, examine the skin for any remaining parts. If a mouthpart is visible, gently extract it with tweezers. Clean the affected area with antiseptic, then wash the dog’s coat with mild shampoo. Dispose of the container’s contents by submerging the ticks in alcohol or flushing them down the toilet.
Regular grooming, daily inspections, and maintaining a tick‑free environment—such as treating the yard with appropriate acaricides—further reduce future infestations.