How do I check my pet for ticks?

How to Check Your Pet for Ticks

To check your pet for ticks, thoroughly inspect common attachment sites including around and inside the ears, between the toes, and in the axillae (armpits) and groin areas, using your fingers to feel through the fur and a fine-toothed comb to part the hair for visual inspection. 1

Key Areas to Examine

When checking your pet for ticks, focus on these specific areas:

• Ears: Both around and inside the ear canal
• Between the toes: Carefully spread each toe to check the webbing
• Axillae (armpits): Feel through the fur in these hidden areas
• Groin region: Thoroughly inspect this warm, protected area
• Neck: Particularly under the collar
• Face: Including around the eyes and muzzle
• Under the tail: Check the perianal region thoroughly

Proper Inspection Technique

1. Use good lighting: Perform tick checks in a well-lit area
2. Part the fur: Use your fingers or a fine-toothed comb to separate the hair
3. Feel for bumps: Run your fingers against the grain of the fur to feel for small bumps
4. Look for movement: Adult ticks may be visible moving through the fur
5. Be thorough: Take your time and methodically check each area

When to Check Your Pet

• After outdoor activities: Especially after walks in wooded or grassy areas
• Daily during tick season: Regular checks are essential in peak seasons (spring and fall)
• Before allowing pets inside: Check pets before they enter your home to prevent ticks from being carried indoors

Tick Removal Procedure

If you find an attached tick:

1. Use appropriate tools: Grasp the tick with fine-tipped tweezers or forceps as close to the skin as possible 1, 2
2. Pull with steady pressure: Pull straight upward with constant, even pressure 2
3. Avoid twisting: Don't twist or jerk the tick, which can cause mouthparts to break off
4. Never use home remedies: Do not apply petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, alcohol, or lit matches as these methods are ineffective and potentially harmful 1, 2
5. Clean the area: After removal, clean the bite site with soap and water, alcohol, or an iodine scrub 1
6. Wash your hands: Thoroughly wash your hands after handling ticks 1

Additional Prevention Measures

• Use veterinarian-approved tick preventatives: Monthly topical acaricides, tick collars, or oral medications can significantly reduce tick infestations 1
• Limit exposure: Reduce your pet's access to tick-infested habitats when possible
• Create tick-safe zones: Maintain your yard by keeping grass short and removing leaf litter

Important Cautions

• Indoor pets are still at risk: Even primarily indoor pets can get ticks, with studies showing 21.8% of cats with ticks were reported to spend most or all of their time indoors 3
• Ticks can transmit diseases quickly: Some rickettsial organisms can be transmitted in as little as 2-20 hours after attachment, making prompt removal critical 1
• Don't crush ticks with bare fingers: This could expose you to potentially infectious organisms 1

Regular tick checks are one of the most effective ways to prevent tick-borne diseases in both pets and humans, as pets can bring ticks into the home, increasing human exposure risk.