How to check your dog for ticks (in 2 minutes)
Ears, toes, armpits, collar line. A quick nose-to-tail routine that catches ticks before they settle in.
In this guide
Ticks are one of the biggest health worries for dogs in India. They can spread serious illnesses, often called "tick fever", and they multiply fast in warm, humid weather. A quick daily check is the simplest, cheapest protection there is.
What does a tick look like?
- Unfed ticks are tiny, flat and brown, often the size of a sesame seed or smaller.
- Fed ticks swell up into grey or bluish beans and can be the size of a small pea or larger.
- They have legs near the head end, which helps you tell them apart from skin tags or warts.
When to check
After every walk in tick season, and at least once a day the rest of the year. Make it part of your evening cuddle.
The 2-minute nose-to-tail check
Run your fingers slowly through the coat, against the direction of the fur, feeling for small bumps. Check these spots carefully:
- Inside and around the ears, including the folds of the ear flap
- Around the eyes and on the head
- Under the collar or harness
- Armpits (where the front legs meet the body)
- Between the toes and around the pads
- Belly and groin
- Under the tail and around the bottom
For thick or long coats, part the fur with your fingers or a comb and look at the skin.
What to do if you find a tick
Remove it as soon as you can; the longer it stays attached, the higher the risk of disease. Our step-by-step tick removal guide shows how to do it safely.
Also look for fleas
While you check, look for small fast-moving dark insects, or black specks (flea dirt) in the coat. Brush a little onto a damp white tissue; if the specks turn reddish-brown, it's flea dirt.
Build a tick-prevention routine
- Daily checks after walks
- Anti-tick baths in season with an Anti-Tick & Flea Shampoo
- Repellent before walks in grassy areas with a Tick & Flea Repellent Spray, following the label
- Clean bedding weekly
- Treat the home and garden too. See tick-proofing your home.
- A vet-recommended prevention plan, especially in tick season
Watch for signs of tick-borne illness
See your vet quickly if your dog has:
- Low energy or weakness
- Not eating
- Fever
- Pale gums
- Bleeding from the nose, or unusual bruising
- Dark urine
These can be signs of tick fever, which needs prompt treatment.
Questions pet parents ask
Where do ticks hide on dogs? +
Most often inside and around the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, between the toes, on the belly and around the tail.
How often should I check my dog for ticks? +
After every walk during tick season, and at least once a day the rest of the year.
What are the symptoms of tick fever in dogs? +
Low energy, loss of appetite, fever, pale gums, nosebleeds or unusual bruising. See your vet promptly if you notice these.
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This guide is general information for pet parents, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, injured or you're unsure, please talk to your vet.
