Understanding Ticks and the Risks They Pose
Before learning how to remove a tick, it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with. Ticks are small, spider-like parasites with eight legs that feed on the blood of mammals, including dogs and humans. These external parasites can range in size from as small as a pinhead to as large as a grape when fully engorged with blood.
Ticks don’t jump or fly—instead, they wait on grass, bushes, or leaf litter for a host to brush against them. Once on your dog, they use their specialized mouthparts to attach firmly to the dog’s skin and begin feeding. The tick’s mouth includes barbed structures that help it stay anchored while feeding, which is why proper removal technique is so important.
The real danger lies in the diseases ticks can transmit. Lyme disease is perhaps the most well-known tick borne illness, but ticks can also spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. These tick borne diseases can cause symptoms ranging from mild lethargy to severe neurological problems, joint pain, and even organ damage if left untreated.
Early signs of tick borne illness in dogs include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and lameness. Some dogs may develop more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, neurological problems, or kidney issues. The key is prevention and early detection—the sooner you find and remove ticks, the better you can protect your pet from these potentially serious conditions.
Essential Tools To Safely Remove The Tick
Having the right tick removal tool makes all the difference between safe, effective removal and potentially dangerous amateur attempts. Never try to remove a tick with your bare hands, as this increases your risk of disease transmission and makes it more likely that you’ll leave part of the tick’s head embedded in your dog’s skin.
The most effective tick removal tool is fine-tipped tweezers or specialized tick removal tools. Fine-tipped tweezers allow you to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, while commercial tick removal tools are designed specifically for this purpose and can make the job easier. Some popular options include tick removal hooks, tick keys, and tick removal spoons.
You’ll also need rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol for both disinfecting your tools and preserving the tick after removal. A small container with a tight lid is essential for storing the removed tick—this allows your veterinarian to identify the species if your dog develops symptoms later. Cotton balls or gauze pads are useful for cleaning the bite area, and disposable gloves protect your hands from potential disease transmission.
Additional supplies to have on hand include antiseptic solution for cleaning the bite site, a magnifying glass if you have trouble seeing small ticks clearly, and a permanent marker to note the date and location of the tick bite on your calendar. Some pet owners also keep a dedicated “tick kit” in their car or hiking bag for immediate treatment during outdoor activities.
Step-by-Step Tick Removal Process
When you discover a tick on your dog, resist the urge to rush. Proper tick removal requires patience and precision. Start by putting on disposable gloves to protect yourself from potential disease transmission. Position your dog in good lighting where you can clearly see the tick and have easy access to the affected area.
Clean your fine-tipped tweezers or tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol before use. Part your dog’s fur around the tick to get a clear view of where it’s attached. You should be able to see where the tick’s mouth meets your dog’s skin. This is crucial—you want to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, not on the tick’s body.
Using your tweezers, grasp the tick firmly at the point where it enters the skin. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, as this can force infected fluids back into your dog’s bloodstream. Apply steady, even pressure and pull straight up and away from the skin using a slow, steady motion. Don’t twist, jerk, or use a rocking motion, as this increases the chance of breaking off the tick’s head.
The tick should come away cleanly with its mouthparts intact. Examine the removed tick carefully—you should see the tick’s head and mouthparts attached to the body. If you notice that part of the tick’s head remains embedded in your dog’s skin, don’t panic. Use your tweezers to carefully remove any visible parts, but if you can’t get everything, consult your veterinarian rather than digging aggressively.
Post-Removal Care and Monitoring
Once you’ve successfully removed the tick, proper aftercare is essential for your dog’s health and your peace of mind. Place the removed tick in a small container with rubbing alcohol to kill it and preserve it for identification if needed. Never crush a tick with your fingers, as this can release infectious agents.
Clean the bite area thoroughly with antiseptic solution or rubbing alcohol. The bite site may appear red and slightly swollen for a few days, which is normal. However, watch for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge from the bite area. These symptoms warrant a call to your veterinarian.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, and disinfect your tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol before storing it. If you used disposable gloves, dispose of them properly and wash your hands again.
Monitor the bite area closely for the next several weeks. Take a photo of the bite site and note the date of removal in your calendar. Watch for the development of a rash, particularly the characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash associated with Lyme disease, though this rash doesn’t always appear in dogs as clearly as it does in humans.
Keep an eye on your dog’s overall behavior and health in the weeks following tick removal. Watch for symptoms of tick borne illness including lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, or any other changes in your dog’s normal behavior. If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately and mention the recent tick bite.
What NOT to Do When Removing Ticks
Many well-meaning pet owners make dangerous mistakes when attempting tick removal, often based on old wives’ tales or misinformation. Never use petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, or a hot match to try to make the tick “back out” on its own. These methods don’t work and can actually cause the tick to regurgitate infected saliva into your dog’s bloodstream, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Avoid grasping the tick by its body or legs. Squeezing the engorged tick can force infectious material back into your dog’s system. Similarly, don’t twist or jerk the tick during removal, as this increases the likelihood of breaking off the tick’s head and leaving mouthparts embedded in the skin.
Never try to remove a tick with your bare hands. Even if you think you can protect yourself, the risk of disease transmission is too high. Always use proper tools and wear gloves when handling ticks or cleaning bite areas.
Don’t ignore a tick bite or assume everything is fine once the tick is removed. Even successful tick removal requires monitoring for potential complications. Failing to watch for signs of tick borne illness or infection at the bite site can lead to serious health problems for your dog.
Finally, don’t dispose of live ticks by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash. Live ticks can survive in these environments and potentially find new hosts. Always kill ticks with rubbing alcohol before disposal, or place them in a sealed container for your veterinarian to examine.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
While many tick removals can be handled successfully at home, certain situations require professional veterinary care. Contact your vet immediately if you’re unable to remove the tick completely, especially if the tick’s head remains embedded in your dog’s skin. Attempting to dig out embedded tick parts can cause additional trauma and increase infection risk
Seek veterinary care if the tick was engorged (swollen with blood) when you found it, as this indicates prolonged attachment and higher disease transmission risk. Large, blood-filled ticks have been feeding for days and are more likely to have transmitted pathogens to your dog.
Watch for signs of infection at the bite site, including increasing redness, swelling, warmth, discharge, or if your dog seems painful when you touch the area. These symptoms suggest bacterial infection that may require antibiotic treatment.
Most importantly, contact your veterinarian if your dog develops any symptoms of tick borne illness in the days or weeks following tick removal. These can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, or neurological symptoms like confusion or seizures.
Your veterinarian may recommend testing for tick borne diseases, especially if multiple ticks were found or if you live in an area where tick borne illnesses are common. They can also provide guidance on tick prevention strategies specific to your area and your dog’s lifestyle.
Preventing Future Tick Infestations
Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to ticks and tick borne diseases. The most effective approach combines multiple strategies to reduce your dog’s exposure to ticks and make your pet less attractive to these parasites.
Year-round tick prevention products are your first line of defense. Talk to your veterinarian about prescription tick preventatives, which come in various forms including oral medications, topical treatments, and tick collars. These products kill ticks before they can attach and transmit diseases, making them far more effective than trying to find and remove ticks after the fact.
Environmental management plays a crucial role in tick prevention. Keep your lawn mowed short and remove leaf litter, tall grass, and brush where ticks like to hide. Create barriers between wooded areas and your yard using wood chips or gravel. Consider treating your yard with appropriate tick control products, especially in high-risk areas.
When hiking or spending time in wooded or grassy areas, stick to center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks wait for hosts. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they reach your dog’s skin. Some pet owners find tick-repelling bandanas or sprays helpful for extra protection during outdoor activities.
Establish a routine of checking your dog for ticks after every outdoor adventure. Pay special attention to areas where ticks commonly attach: around the ears, between toes, under the tail, in the armpits, and around the neck and head. Regular grooming and tick checks help you catch ticks before they’ve been attached long enough to transmit diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tick Removal
How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit disease?
Most tick borne diseases require 24-48 hours of attachment before transmission occurs. However, some pathogens can be transmitted more quickly, which is why prompt tick removal is always important. The sooner you remove a tick, the lower the risk of disease transmission.
What should I do if the tick’s head breaks off during removal?
If you can see the remaining head or mouthparts, try to remove them carefully with fine-tipped tweezers. If you can’t remove them easily, don’t keep trying—contact your veterinarian. Small pieces of tick mouthparts will often work their way out naturally, but monitoring for infection is important.
Can I send the tick for testing?
Some laboratories offer tick testing services, but results can take several days and may not change treatment decisions. Your veterinarian can advise whether tick testing is worthwhile in your situation. It’s more important to monitor your dog for symptoms and seek veterinary care if they develop signs of illness.
How can I tell if a tick has been attached for a long time?
Engorged ticks that appear swollen with blood have been feeding for days. Fresh attachments will be smaller and flatter. The longer a tick feeds, the more swollen it becomes and the higher the risk of disease transmission.
Should I save the tick after removal?
Yes, preserve the tick in rubbing alcohol and store it in a sealed container. This allows your veterinarian to identify the species if your dog develops symptoms later. Different tick species carry different diseases, so identification can help guide tick treatment decisions.
Helpful Links and Resources
Here are seven valuable links and resources to help you learn more about tick prevention, safe removal, and protecting your dog from tick-borne illnesses:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides detailed information on how ticks affect pets and preventative measures to keep them safe.
AKC – How to Remove a Tick from a Dog
The American Kennel Club offers a step-by-step guide for safely removing ticks from your pet.
ASPCA – Pet Care Tips for Preventing Ticks
The ASPCA provides tips on protecting your dog from ticks and their associated diseases.
PetMD – Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs
A detailed guide discussing common tick-borne illnesses and how you can recognize symptoms in your dog.
EPA – Find the Right Flea and Tick Product
The Environmental Protection Agency offers a handy tool to find safe and effective tick prevention products for your dog.
Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) – Ticks
A veterinarian resource providing educational material on ticks and their prevention, designed to help both professionals and pet owners.
VetStreet – Basic Tick Prevention for Dogs
VetStreet outlines basic yet effective methods and products to ensure your dog’s health and safety from ticks year-round.
Kate’s K9 Pet Care offers same day pet supply delivery, pet taxi services, pet sitting and so much more!
Protecting Your Four-Legged Family Member | How To Get A Tick Off A Dog
Tick removal is a skill every dog owner should master, but remember that prevention remains your best strategy for protecting your pet from tick borne diseases. Regular use of veterinarian-recommended tick preventatives, combined with environmental management and routine tick checks, provides the most comprehensive protection for your furry family member.
When you do find a tick on your dog, stay calm and follow proper removal techniques. Use the right tools, remove the tick carefully without squeezing its body, and monitor your dog closely for signs of illness in the following weeks. Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about tick removal or if your dog develops any symptoms that might indicate tick borne illness.
Remember that ticks are active year-round in many areas, not just during warm months. Maintaining vigilance and using appropriate prevention measures throughout the year helps ensure your dog stays healthy and happy, whether you’re enjoying a backyard barbecue or exploring hiking trails together.
Do you know how to get a tick off a dog?
Safe Removal Guide
Finding a tick on your dog can be alarming, but knowing how to safely remove a tick is an essential skill every pet owner should master. These tiny parasites can transmit dangerous tick borne diseases like Lyme disease, making quick and proper tick removal crucial for your dog’s health. With the right tools and technique, you can remove ticks from your dogs tick safely and reduce the risk of tick borne illness.
Ticks are more than just a nuisance—they’re potential carriers of serious diseases that can affect both pets and humans. The sooner you remove a tick from your dog, the lower the risk of disease transmission. Most tick borne diseases require the tick to be attached for 24-48 hours before transmission occurs, which means prompt removal is your best defense.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about tick removal, from identifying ticks on your pet’s skin to prevent ticks and other future infestations. Whether you’re dealing with your first tick encounter or looking to refine your removal technique, this guide provides the expert knowledge you need to keep your furry friend safe and healthy.
Understanding Ticks and the Risks They Pose
Before learning how to remove a tick, it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with. Ticks are small, spider-like parasites with eight legs that feed on the blood of mammals, including dogs and humans. These external parasites can range in size from as small as a pinhead to as large as a grape when fully engorged with blood.
Ticks don’t jump or fly—instead, they wait on grass, bushes, or leaf litter for a host to brush against them. Once on your dog, they use their specialized mouthparts to attach firmly to the dog’s skin and begin feeding. The tick’s mouth includes barbed structures that help it stay anchored while feeding, which is why proper removal technique is so important.
The real danger lies in the diseases ticks can transmit. Lyme disease is perhaps the most well-known tick borne illness, but ticks can also spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. These tick borne diseases can cause symptoms ranging from mild lethargy to severe neurological problems, joint pain, and even organ damage if left untreated.
Early signs of tick borne illness in dogs include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and lameness. Some dogs may develop more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, neurological problems, or kidney issues. The key is prevention and early detection—the sooner you find and remove ticks, the better you can protect your pet from these potentially serious conditions.
Essential Tools To Safely Remove The Tick
Having the right tick removal tool makes all the difference between safe, effective removal and potentially dangerous amateur attempts. Never try to remove a tick with your bare hands, as this increases your risk of disease transmission and makes it more likely that you’ll leave part of the tick’s head embedded in your dog’s skin.
The most effective tick removal tool is fine-tipped tweezers or specialized tick removal tools. Fine-tipped tweezers allow you to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, while commercial tick removal tools are designed specifically for this purpose and can make the job easier. Some popular options include tick removal hooks, tick keys, and tick removal spoons.
You’ll also need rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol for both disinfecting your tools and preserving the tick after removal. A small container with a tight lid is essential for storing the removed tick—this allows your veterinarian to identify the species if your dog develops symptoms later. Cotton balls or gauze pads are useful for cleaning the bite area, and disposable gloves protect your hands from potential disease transmission.
Additional supplies to have on hand include antiseptic solution for cleaning the bite site, a magnifying glass if you have trouble seeing small ticks clearly, and a permanent marker to note the date and location of the tick bite on your calendar. Some pet owners also keep a dedicated “tick kit” in their car or hiking bag for immediate treatment during outdoor activities.
Step-by-Step Tick Removal Process
When you discover a tick on your dog, resist the urge to rush. Proper tick removal requires patience and precision. Start by putting on disposable gloves to protect yourself from potential disease transmission. Position your dog in good lighting where you can clearly see the tick and have easy access to the affected area.
Clean your fine-tipped tweezers or tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol before use. Part your dog’s fur around the tick to get a clear view of where it’s attached. You should be able to see where the tick’s mouth meets your dog’s skin. This is crucial—you want to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, not on the tick’s body.
Using your tweezers, grasp the tick firmly at the point where it enters the skin. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, as this can force infected fluids back into your dog’s bloodstream. Apply steady, even pressure and pull straight up and away from the skin using a slow, steady motion. Don’t twist, jerk, or use a rocking motion, as this increases the chance of breaking off the tick’s head.
The tick should come away cleanly with its mouthparts intact. Examine the removed tick carefully—you should see the tick’s head and mouthparts attached to the body. If you notice that part of the tick’s head remains embedded in your dog’s skin, don’t panic. Use your tweezers to carefully remove any visible parts, but if you can’t get everything, consult your veterinarian rather than digging aggressively.
Post-Removal Care and Monitoring
Once you’ve successfully removed the tick, proper aftercare is essential for your dog’s health and your peace of mind. Place the removed tick in a small container with rubbing alcohol to kill it and preserve it for identification if needed. Never crush a tick with your fingers, as this can release infectious agents.
Clean the bite area thoroughly with antiseptic solution or rubbing alcohol. The bite site may appear red and slightly swollen for a few days, which is normal. However, watch for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge from the bite area. These symptoms warrant a call to your veterinarian.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, and disinfect your tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol before storing it. If you used disposable gloves, dispose of them properly and wash your hands again.
Monitor the bite area closely for the next several weeks. Take a photo of the bite site and note the date of removal in your calendar. Watch for the development of a rash, particularly the characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash associated with Lyme disease, though this rash doesn’t always appear in dogs as clearly as it does in humans.
Keep an eye on your dog’s overall behavior and health in the weeks following tick removal. Watch for symptoms of tick borne illness including lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, or any other changes in your dog’s normal behavior. If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately and mention the recent tick bite.
What NOT to Do When Removing Ticks
Many well-meaning pet owners make dangerous mistakes when attempting tick removal, often based on old wives’ tales or misinformation. Never use petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, or a hot match to try to make the tick “back out” on its own. These methods don’t work and can actually cause the tick to regurgitate infected saliva into your dog’s bloodstream, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Avoid grasping the tick by its body or legs. Squeezing the engorged tick can force infectious material back into your dog’s system. Similarly, don’t twist or jerk the tick during removal, as this increases the likelihood of breaking off the tick’s head and leaving mouthparts embedded in the skin.
Never try to remove a tick with your bare hands. Even if you think you can protect yourself, the risk of disease transmission is too high. Always use proper tools and wear gloves when handling ticks or cleaning bite areas.
Don’t ignore a tick bite or assume everything is fine once the tick is removed. Even successful tick removal requires monitoring for potential complications. Failing to watch for signs of tick borne illness or infection at the bite site can lead to serious health problems for your dog.
Finally, don’t dispose of live ticks by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash. Live ticks can survive in these environments and potentially find new hosts. Always kill ticks with rubbing alcohol before disposal, or place them in a sealed container for your veterinarian to examine.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
While many tick removals can be handled successfully at home, certain situations require professional veterinary care. Contact your vet immediately if you’re unable to remove the tick completely, especially if the tick’s head remains embedded in your dog’s skin. Attempting to dig out embedded tick parts can cause additional trauma and increase infection risk
Seek veterinary care if the tick was engorged (swollen with blood) when you found it, as this indicates prolonged attachment and higher disease transmission risk. Large, blood-filled ticks have been feeding for days and are more likely to have transmitted pathogens to your dog.
Watch for signs of infection at the bite site, including increasing redness, swelling, warmth, discharge, or if your dog seems painful when you touch the area. These symptoms suggest bacterial infection that may require antibiotic treatment.
Most importantly, contact your veterinarian if your dog develops any symptoms of tick borne illness in the days or weeks following tick removal. These can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, or neurological symptoms like confusion or seizures.
Your veterinarian may recommend testing for tick borne diseases, especially if multiple ticks were found or if you live in an area where tick borne illnesses are common. They can also provide guidance on tick prevention strategies specific to your area and your dog’s lifestyle.
Preventing Future Tick Infestations
Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to ticks and tick borne diseases. The most effective approach combines multiple strategies to reduce your dog’s exposure to ticks and make your pet less attractive to these parasites.
Year-round tick prevention products are your first line of defense. Talk to your veterinarian about prescription tick preventatives, which come in various forms including oral medications, topical treatments, and tick collars. These products kill ticks before they can attach and transmit diseases, making them far more effective than trying to find and remove ticks after the fact.
Environmental management plays a crucial role in tick prevention. Keep your lawn mowed short and remove leaf litter, tall grass, and brush where ticks like to hide. Create barriers between wooded areas and your yard using wood chips or gravel. Consider treating your yard with appropriate tick control products, especially in high-risk areas.
When hiking or spending time in wooded or grassy areas, stick to center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks wait for hosts. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they reach your dog’s skin. Some pet owners find tick-repelling bandanas or sprays helpful for extra protection during outdoor activities.
Establish a routine of checking your dog for ticks after every outdoor adventure. Pay special attention to areas where ticks commonly attach: around the ears, between toes, under the tail, in the armpits, and around the neck and head. Regular grooming and tick checks help you catch ticks before they’ve been attached long enough to transmit diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tick Removal
How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit disease?
Most tick borne diseases require 24-48 hours of attachment before transmission occurs. However, some pathogens can be transmitted more quickly, which is why prompt tick removal is always important. The sooner you remove a tick, the lower the risk of disease transmission.
What should I do if the tick’s head breaks off during removal?
If you can see the remaining head or mouthparts, try to remove them carefully with fine-tipped tweezers. If you can’t remove them easily, don’t keep trying—contact your veterinarian. Small pieces of tick mouthparts will often work their way out naturally, but monitoring for infection is important.
Can I send the tick for testing?
Some laboratories offer tick testing services, but results can take several days and may not change treatment decisions. Your veterinarian can advise whether tick testing is worthwhile in your situation. It’s more important to monitor your dog for symptoms and seek veterinary care if they develop signs of illness.
How can I tell if a tick has been attached for a long time?
Engorged ticks that appear swollen with blood have been feeding for days. Fresh attachments will be smaller and flatter. The longer a tick feeds, the more swollen it becomes and the higher the risk of disease transmission.
Should I save the tick after removal?
Yes, preserve the tick in rubbing alcohol and store it in a sealed container. This allows your veterinarian to identify the species if your dog develops symptoms later. Different tick species carry different diseases, so identification can help guide tick treatment decisions.
Helpful Links and Resources
Here are seven valuable links and resources to help you learn more about tick prevention, safe removal, and protecting your dog from tick-borne illnesses:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides detailed information on how ticks affect pets and preventative measures to keep them safe.
AKC – How to Remove a Tick from a Dog
The American Kennel Club offers a step-by-step guide for safely removing ticks from your pet.
ASPCA – Pet Care Tips for Preventing Ticks
The ASPCA provides tips on protecting your dog from ticks and their associated diseases.
PetMD – Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs
A detailed guide discussing common tick-borne illnesses and how you can recognize symptoms in your dog.
EPA – Find the Right Flea and Tick Product
The Environmental Protection Agency offers a handy tool to find safe and effective tick prevention products for your dog.
Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) – Ticks
A veterinarian resource providing educational material on ticks and their prevention, designed to help both professionals and pet owners.
VetStreet – Basic Tick Prevention for Dogs
VetStreet outlines basic yet effective methods and products to ensure your dog’s health and safety from ticks year-round.
Kate’s K9 Pet Care offers same day pet supply delivery, pet taxi services, pet sitting and so much more!
Protecting Your Four-Legged Family Member | How To Get A Tick Off A Dog
Tick removal is a skill every dog owner should master, but remember that prevention remains your best strategy for protecting your pet from tick borne diseases. Regular use of veterinarian-recommended tick preventatives, combined with environmental management and routine tick checks, provides the most comprehensive protection for your furry family member.
When you do find a tick on your dog, stay calm and follow proper removal techniques. Use the right tools, remove the tick carefully without squeezing its body, and monitor your dog closely for signs of illness in the following weeks. Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about tick removal or if your dog develops any symptoms that might indicate tick borne illness.
Remember that ticks are active year-round in many areas, not just during warm months. Maintaining vigilance and using appropriate prevention measures throughout the year helps ensure your dog stays healthy and happy, whether you’re enjoying a backyard barbecue or exploring hiking trails together.
