Tick removal guide for Australian pet owners

Introduction

Ticks can cause serious illness. Knowing how to find and remove them quickly makes a big difference. Keep a tick tool with your lead or in the car.

Daily tick check in risk regions

Run hands over your pet after walks or beach days. Focus on lips, ear edges, under the collar, armpits, groin, between toes and tail base. Check again that night in peak season.

How to remove a tick

1. Part the coat and locate the head at skin level

2. Grip close to the skin with a tick tool or fine-tipped tweezers

3. Lift straight out with steady pressure. Do not twist, burn or apply oils

4. Keep the tick in a sealed container in case your vet wants to identify it

5. Watch your pet for 24–48 hours

Emergency signs in tick regions

Wobbly back legs, gagging or coughing, voice change, trouble swallowing, drooling, laboured breathing. See a vet urgently.

Prevention that reduces risk

Stay on time with a proven product matched to species, age and weight. Add a reminder that repeats and keep a mid-interval nudge for long-acting options.

Products we trust

• Dogs, longer-acting fleas and ticks: Bravecto Chew for Dogs

• Dogs, fleas and ticks monthly: NexGard Chewables for Dogs

• Dogs, monthly all-in-one: Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs

• Cats, broad monthly: Revolution Plus Spot-On for Cats

• Cats, longer-acting fleas and ticks: Bravecto Spot-On for Cats

Safety basics

• Species matters. Never use a dog product on a cat

• Match weight band and minimum age every time

• Avoid stacking preventatives unless your vet advises

FAQ

Should I see a vet even if I removed the tick cleanly?
If you live in or travelled to a tick region, monitor closely for 24–48 hours and go straight to a vet if any symptoms appear.
Do chews wash off with swims?
No. Chews are not affected by water. Spot-ons need a dry period after application.
Need help choosing prevention for your pet and location?
We’ll tailor a simple plan one to one — contact us.