A finger with a tick on it | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection
A finger with a tick on it | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection

How Do I Get Rid of Ticks on My Dog?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then pulling “upward with steady, even pressure” without twisting or jerking. After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.1 Your vet can also provide advice for removing ticks and recommend a reliable tick control product.
Find Tick Protection

What Are the Signs of Ticks on Dogs?

When looking for ticks, you may feel or spot ticks on your dog’s body underneath their fur. When it first attaches, an adult tick will look like a tiny round bug with 8 legs. After feeding, it will swell up to look bloated and bluish-gray, and eventually detach. If that tick has already detached, you may notice a small bump or inflamed area at the site of the bite.

An engorged tick on a dog's skin | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection
An engorged tick on a dog's skin | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection

Do Ticks Carry Lyme Disease?

If a tick that is carrying a pathogen bites a dog, that dog is at risk of becoming infected as well. The most commonly diagnosed tickborne disease in the US is Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the black-legged tick and caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Signs of Lyme disease in dogs include fever, lameness, joint swelling, lethargy, and even serious kidney damage.2

A group of ticks on a dog's skin | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection
A group of ticks on a dog's skin | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection

How Does Oral Tick Protection for Dogs Work?

When a dog takes NexGard® (afoxolaner), the active ingredient protects them by spreading throughout their system. When a tick bites, it gets a tiny dose of that active ingredient, which is designed to quickly kill the tick. However, the active ingredient will eventually leave your dog’s body, which is why it’s important to dose on a regular schedule.

A woman gives her German Shepherd NexGard | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection
A woman gives her German Shepherd NexGard | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection
Sick of ticks? Defend your dog from tip to tail with monthly tick protection.
How to Kill Ticks
A german shepherd tilting its head | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection

What to Know About Ticks and Dogs

How Is Lyme Disease Transmitted?
Ticks attach to your dog’s skin using their mouthparts and then begin feeding on their blood. It can take a few days for ticks to get their fill. The harmful bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted to your dog while the tick is feeding. This is how Lyme disease is transmitted to the host.3
How Big Do Ticks Get on Dogs?
Initially, ticks are small and difficult to spot, but that changes after they’ve fed. Ticks attach and feed over a period of days to a couple of weeks. As they become engorged, female ticks swell to a much larger size and become more visible. The amount they grow depends on the tick’s species and sex.
Where Are Ticks Found on Dogs?
It’s important to thoroughly search your dog for ticks on a regular basis, especially after they’ve spent time 
outside. Ticks can be anywhere on the body, but they prefer warm, dark, and inconspicuous hiding places. 
When searching for ticks on your dog, pay special attention to between the toes, inside the ears, under the legs, 
and around the groin area.2
When Are Ticks Most Active?

Different species of ticks are more active during different times of the year, but they can prey on hosts all year long.3 That’s why it’s crucial to keep your dog on year-round tick protection.

Make Monthly Flea and Tick Protection Delicious

A vet holding the package of NexGard | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection

Get Protection From Your Vet

Ask your vet about NexGard chews— they’re vet-recommended flea and tick protection.

A dog eats a NexGard chew from a hand | NEXGARD® Parasite Protection

Give Your Dog Their Chew

NexGard chews are bite-sized doses of beef-flavored deliciousness, and dogs love them.4

A dog chases a ball in a field of yellow flowers

Enjoy Protection

Each dose of NexGard chews lasts for a full month of adventure, and you’ll love how easy it is to protect your pet.

Get Protection

Heartworm disease is a year-round threat. Pair up NexGard chews with a heartworm disease preventive.

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