How to remove a tick from a dog or cat
Ticks should come off as soon as you spot them. Use a tick twister: slide, twist, lift. Never pull, squeeze or burn them.
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 6
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Tick removal tool (tick twister) Search Amazon for tick removal tool
- Warm salty water and cotton wool
- A sealable bag or tissue to dispose of the tick
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Safety first
- Never pull, crush, squeeze or burn a tick, or smother it with anything. This can leave parts behind or make it release more saliva into the bite.
- Never use dog tick products on cats: some dog treatments are highly toxic to cats.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Check your pet after walks
Ticks are common in long grass, woodland and moorland, especially from spring to autumn. Run your hands over your pet, paying attention to the head, ears, neck, armpits and between the toes. A tick feels like a small bump.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Choose the right size hook
Tick tools usually come in two or three sizes. Pick one that fits snugly around the tick.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Slide the tool under the tick
Slide the hook under the tick, as close to the skin as possible.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Twist, don't pull
Without pulling upwards, twist the tool in one direction. After a few turns the tick will let go.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Lift and dispose
Lift the tool away. The tick should stay in the hook. Dispose of it so it can't attach to anyone else, for example sealed in a bag or tissue.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Clean and watch
Clean the bite with warm salty water. Over the next few weeks watch for redness, heat or swelling at the site, or your pet being lethargic or off their food.
Tips
- Ask your vet about tick prevention products suitable for your pet.
- Check yourself too: people can get Lyme disease from tick bites.
When to call a professional
Call your vet if you can't remove the tick, the bite looks infected, or your pet seems unwell after a tick bite. See a GP if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after being bitten yourself.
Questions people ask
What if the head stays in?
Don't dig for it. Clean the area and keep an eye on it; ask your vet if it gets red or swollen.
Do ticks spread disease in the UK?
Yes. They can carry Lyme disease and other infections, so remove them promptly.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- PDSA: How to remove a tick from a dog or cat (pdsa.org.uk)
- NHS: Lyme disease (nhs.uk)
- International Cat Care: Permethrin poisoning in cats (icatcare.org)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-remove-a-tick-from-a-dog-or-cat/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.