What is the best way to remove a tick from my dog?

Part the fur to see the tick clearly and grasp it as close to your dog's skin as possible using fine tipped tweezers or a dedicated tick removal tool, avoiding grabbing the body of the tick itself, which can cause it to release fluids back into the bite site.

Pull straight upward with slow, steady, even pressure, without twisting or jerking, which can leave the mouthparts embedded in the skin even if the body comes away. This slow, steady pull usually takes just a few seconds once you have a firm grip close to the skin.

Clean the bite area with mild soap and water, and note the date of removal, since watching the site over the following 1 to 2 weeks for redness, swelling, or a rash spreading outward from the bite helps you catch anything that needs veterinary attention early.

Avoid older folk remedies like covering the tick in petroleum jelly, using a lit match, or trying to burn it off, all of which are commonly suggested online but are not recommended, since they can cause the tick to release more saliva into the bite site rather than encouraging a clean release.

Keeping a small tick removal tool in your regular walking bag, alongside any paw care supplies, means you can act immediately if you spot one attached during a walk rather than waiting until you are back home.