What does a small tick look like on a dog? - briefly
A tiny tick presents as a flat, oval speck about 1–2 mm across, brown or gray in color, resembling a small bump on the dog's skin. When it begins to feed it swells into a more rounded, darker nodule, but initially it is barely noticeable.
What does a small tick look like on a dog? - in detail
A small tick on a dog is typically a tiny, oval‑shaped parasite, measuring 1–3 mm in length before it feeds. The body is smooth and glossy, resembling a miniature seed or grain of sand. Its coloration ranges from pale beige to reddish‑brown, sometimes with a darker dorsal shield. The front half houses the mouthparts, which appear as a short, pointed projection when the tick is attached.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: barely visible to the naked eye; often mistaken for a speck of dirt.
- Shape: flattened, teardrop or oval form, with a slightly raised rear edge.
- Color: light tan to dark brown; may darken after engorgement.
- Surface: smooth, without visible hairs or scales.
- Attachment point: positioned in skin folds (neck, armpits, groin) where the mouthparts embed into the dermis, creating a tiny, pin‑prick opening.
When a tick begins feeding, its abdomen swells, turning a more pronounced gray‑white and becoming slightly translucent. The legs, if visible, are short and tucked close to the body, making the parasite appear as a single solid mass rather than a multi‑legged insect. Identifying these features enables prompt removal before the tick expands further.