A lot of people assume a swim washes the ticks off. It doesn't. Ticks are good at holding on, and a day that mixes a woodsy trail, tall grass at the lake edge, and a long swim is exactly the kind of outing where a hitchhiker can come home with you.
The fix is a habit, not a hassle. Two minutes of checking after outdoor days catches most ticks early, and that matters because the longer one stays attached, the more time it has to cause trouble.
Where Ticks Like to Hide
They go for warm, sheltered spots with thin skin. Run your fingers slowly over your dog and feel for small bumps, paying extra attention to a few places.
- 🐾In and around the ears and under the ear flaps
- 🐾Under the collar and harness
- 🐾Armpits and the groin area
- 🐾Between the toes and around the paw pads
- 🐾Around the eyelids, chin, and base of the tail
Thick coats need a part-and-feel approach. You may not see a tick on a fluffy dog, so use your fingertips and a comb. Do it in good light, ideally right when you get home and again the next day.
How to Remove One Safely
Use a tick remover tool or fine-tipped tweezers. Grip the tick as close to your dog's skin as you can, and pull straight out with steady pressure, without twisting or squeezing the body. Then clean the spot and wash your hands. Skip the folk remedies, like petroleum jelly or a hot match. They don't help and can make things worse.
It can help to drop the tick in a small sealed container or bag, in case your vet wants to identify it.
When to Call the Vet
If the head seems to stay in the skin, the area looks red or swollen, or your dog develops fever, tiredness, limping, or loss of appetite in the days or weeks afterward, call your vet and mention the tick. Tick-borne illnesses vary by region, so your vet is the best source for what to watch for where you live.
Prevention Starts Before the Outing
Ask your vet about a tick preventive that suits your dog and your area. It matters more for dogs who love brush, tall grass, and shoreline wandering. On the day itself, stay on cleared paths where you can, and give your dog a comfortable place to rest in the open instead of lying down in the weeds. Resting on a float or a mat keeps them off the ground cover where ticks wait.
🌿 Rest Away From the Tall Grass
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