How to remove a tick correctly
- Use fine-tipped tweezers (or a tick-removal tool). Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Don't twist, jerk, or squeeze the body — that can leave the head in or push infected fluid into your pet.
- Disinfect the bite spot and wash your hands. Drop the tick in rubbing alcohol to kill it.
- Watch that spot and your dog for the next few weeks. Fever, tiredness, or loss of appetite can mean tick fever — see a vet promptly.
Never burn a tick or cover it in oil, petrol, or Vaseline. A stressed tick vomits its stomach contents — and any infection — back into your pet, which is exactly what you're trying to avoid.
Getting rid of fleas (and keeping them gone)
Signs of fleas: constant scratching, little black specks ("flea dirt") in the fur, and fast-moving specks near the belly and tail base. To clear them:
- Treat the pet with a vet-recommended product (see the options below).
- Treat every animal in the home on the same day — fleas hop between them.
- Treat the environment — wash all bedding in hot water, vacuum floors and furniture daily (empty the vacuum outside), and focus on where pets sleep.
Because most of a flea population is eggs and larvae hiding in your home, treating only the pet is why infestations keep coming back.
What actually works — product types
- Spot-on treatments (applied between the shoulder blades) — convenient, usually monthly.
- Oral tablets/chews — modern "isoxazoline" tablets kill ticks and fleas effectively; great where bathing washes off spot-ons.
- Tick/flea collars — quality collars protect for months; useful as a base layer.
- Medicated shampoos/dips and sprays — help knock down a heavy load, but need pairing with a longer-acting product.
Ask a vet which product and dose suits your pet's species, weight, and age — this is where a quick vet consultation saves money and mistakes.
What NOT to use
- No kerosene, petrol, phenyl, or household/human insecticides — they poison pets and burn skin.
- Never use dog permethrin products on cats — permethrin is highly toxic to cats and can be fatal.
- Don't rely on garlic, "desi" oils, or home concoctions as your only defence — they don't reliably work and some are harmful.
Prevention is also how you avoid the bigger danger — tick fever— and it's a core part of summer pet care in Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove a tick from my dog safely?
Grip the tick with fine tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure — don't twist, squeeze the body, or yank. Then disinfect the spot. Never burn a tick or smother it in oil, petrol, or Vaseline; that makes it regurgitate into your pet and raises infection risk.
What's the best way to get rid of fleas?
Use a vet-recommended product (a spot-on, an oral tablet, or a good collar), treat every pet in the house at once, and treat the environment — wash bedding in hot water, vacuum daily, and clean where pets sleep. Fleas spend most of their life off the pet, so treating only the animal fails.
Are human insecticides or kerosene safe to use on pets?
No. Kerosene, phenyl, and household/human insecticides can poison pets and burn their skin. Very importantly, permethrin — common in dog products — is highly toxic to cats and can kill them. Always use a species-appropriate product recommended by a vet.
How often should I use tick and flea prevention in Pakistan?
Through the summer and monsoon at minimum (when ticks and fleas peak), and year-round in warm areas or if you've had infestations. Follow the product's interval — monthly for most spot-ons and many tablets, longer for some collars.
Do I need to treat my house too?
For fleas, yes — most of the population (eggs, larvae, pupae) lives in bedding, carpets, and floor cracks, not on the pet. Wash bedding hot, vacuum thoroughly and often, and treat the home if the infestation is heavy. For ticks, clear and treat the yard, kennel, and sleeping areas where they hide.
Sources & further reading
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Ticks and fleas
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) — How to remove a tick
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Permethrin toxicity in cats
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yahya Nawaz (DVM, RVMP) — Founder of MatchVet · In-charge, Civil Veterinary Hospital, Ghang, Sheikhupura. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis; for your own pet, ask a verified vet.
