Checking Your Dog for Ticks After Every Walk: A Simple Routine

You're back from a pleasant walk along a leafy city path. Your dog flops down on the rug with a contented sigh, and as you stroke their ear, your fingers find a tiny bump that wasn't there this morning.

That's how ticks tend to show up: small, quiet and easy to miss. And they're not just a countryside problem. A city park, a grassy verge or a riverside path is enough.

The good news is that checking your dog for ticks doesn't need to be stressful. It can be a calm, repeatable two-minute habit, as natural as hanging up the lead. Here's how to build it.

Why a two-minute tick check belongs in your walk routine

You don't need a forest to pick up a tick. A quick loop through a city park, a grassy verge or a riverside path is plenty. Your dog brushes past long grass, and a tick climbs aboard. That's it.

So checking daily makes sense. Spot a tick early and you can remove it promptly, which gives you the best chance of a clean outcome. And a calm, familiar routine beats panic every time.

Don't forget your cat. Outdoor cats are easy to overlook, and so are indoor-outdoor cats who share a home with a dog. Below you'll find a simple routine, a cat version, step-by-step removal and when to phone your vet.

Let's start with the routine itself, because the best habit is one you can repeat without thinking.

Checking your dog for ticks: a head-to-tail routine

Pick one spot and make it yours. A towel by the door, a corner of the hallway, whatever works. Then do the check every time you come inside, not only after a long walk. Ticks don't need a forest. A patch of long grass at Maksimir or a hedge in your own courtyard is plenty.

Work from the head down so you never skip anything. Here's your route:

1. Head: around and inside the ears, around the eyes and eyelids, under the chin and along the lips.
2. Neck: the whole neck, plus under the collar or harness straps.
3. Front and middle: armpits and chest, then the belly and groin.
4. Back end: between the toes and across the paw pads, then the base of the tail and underneath it.

Technique matters here. Run your fingertips slowly against the direction of the coat and feel for small bumps. Ticks can be tiny, so what you find might feel like a speck of dirt or a small tag of skin. If a bump seems new, stop and look closer.

Long-haired or thick-coated dogs need extra effort. Part the coat with your fingers, run a fine comb through it, and work in good light (a phone torch helps in a dim hallway). Take your time with the dense spots, because that's exactly where ticks hide best.

Now make it pleasant. Keep your voice calm, hand over a treat every few seconds, and finish with a few minutes of proper cuddling. Do that consistently and many dogs start to see the check as the best part of coming home. And a relaxed dog stands still, which makes your job easier.

Don't forget yourself. Ticks don't only go after pets, so check your own skin and your children's after every walk. Look at hairlines, behind the ears, behind the knees and around the waistband. Two minutes, same habit, whole family covered.

If you share your home with a cat, the same principle applies, with a gentler touch.

How to check a cat for ticks, even if she mostly stays indoors

An indoor cat isn't a tick-proof cat. Garden visits, balcony time and harness walks all put her in tick territory. And ticks hitch rides, too. They can come in on your dog, your trousers or your shoes, then find their way onto her.

Pick a calm moment. Maybe she's stretched out on the sofa and you're already stroking her. Keep it short and gentle. A minute or two is plenty.

Run your fingertips slowly over these spots:

• Head, ears and neck
• Under the chin
• Between the shoulder blades
• Armpits and belly
• Base of the tail

You're feeling for small bumps. A tick often feels like a tiny seed or a grain of rice stuck to the skin. If she suddenly twitches, flinches or turns to look at one spot, stop and take a closer look there.

Don't wait until you spot one by eye. Cats groom constantly, and a tick can tuck itself into fur around the ears or neck where it's easy to miss. A regular hands-on check is far more reliable than hoping one will show itself.

If she gets stressed, stop. Forcing the issue only teaches her to avoid you. If she simply won't tolerate handling, ask your vet for help. They can check her quickly and show you what works.

Of course, a check is only useful if you know what to do when your fingers actually find something.

What to do if you find a tick on your dog or cat

Found a tick on your dog or cat? Take a breath. It happens to plenty of pets, and it's very manageable when you follow a clear process. Panicking leads to rushed pulling, and rushed pulling leads to mistakes.

Before you start, gather what you need:

• Fine-tipped tweezers or a purpose-made tick removal tool
• A small sealable container or bag
• Clean gloves, if you have them

Then work through these steps to remove a tick from your dog (or cat):

1. Part the fur so you can see exactly where the tick is attached.
2. Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible.
3. Pull steadily and straight out. Don't twist or squeeze it.
4. Check that the mouthparts came out with the body.

Once it's out, clean the area and wash your hands. Make a note of the date and where on the body you found it (a quick phone note works fine). Then place the tick in your sealed container. Your vet may want to see it.

Now for what not to do. Don't crush the tick. Don't burn it. And don't smother it with oil, alcohol or any other home remedy. None of these help, and they can make things worse.

Sometimes removal doesn't go to plan. If the head or mouthparts seem to be left behind, or you're simply not sure you can do it safely, call your vet. Don't dig at the skin. Your pet's comfort matters more than finishing the job yourself.

Plus, you don't have to rely on removal alone. Your vet can talk you through tick prevention that suits your pet, whether you're in central Zagreb or out walking the paths around Medvednica.

Removal is the reactive part, though. A few smart habits on the walk itself can help you avoid it in the first place.

Reducing tick risk on city walks

You don't need to avoid the city's green spaces. A few small habits cut your risk without wrecking the walk. Stick to cleared paths where you can. Skip the long grass, the leaf litter, and the dense undergrowth, even when your dog begs to dive in. And stay extra watchful in warm, damp weather.

Picture a stroll through Maksimir, along the Sava, or down a leafy edge of Jarun. Parks, riverside paths, and green borders can all hold ticks. That's true in any European city, so treat every green stretch with the same quiet care.

Once you're home, make checking a routine. Look over yourself, then brush your dog and run your hands through your cat's coat. Wash bedding regularly. Keep your garden or balcony tidy, with short grass and no piles of damp leaves.

Then talk to your vet. They can recommend the right tick prevention for your dog or cat, based on your pet's age, health, and lifestyle.

One last thing about tick season for pets: seasons and local tick activity shift, so don't trust the calendar alone. If the weather's mild, stay alert.

Even with a great routine, some situations are best handed straight to a professional.

When to call your vet

Some situations call for a phone call, not a wait-and-see approach. Ring your vet if:

• You can't remove the tick safely
• Part of the tick seems to remain in the skin
• The skin stays red, swollen or sore
• You find several ticks at once
• Your pet is very young, elderly or has an existing health condition

Keep watching your pet in the days and weeks after a bite, too. If they seem unusually tired, go off their food, feel warm or just act differently from their normal self, call. You don't need to know what's causing it. That's your vet's job.

And if you're unsure whether something is worth a call? Make it. A two-minute phone call costs you nothing, while waiting can cost your pet time. When in doubt, ask.

This article offers general guidance only. It's not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.

Make the check part of coming home

Think of it as part of coming home, like hanging up the lead or filling the water bowl. Look. Feel along the coat. Remove any tick promptly if you find one. And if you're unsure about anything, call your vet. That's the whole routine.

So start today. Pick a spot by the door, and keep your tweezers or tick removal tool and a small container where they're easy to find. After your very next walk, do a head-to-tail check, for your dog and your cat alike.

It takes about two minutes, and your pet will probably settle into it, maybe even enjoy the attention. That's what makes slow evening walks along the Sava or through Maksimir worry-free. And for tick prevention advice, or any concern about your dog or cat, phone your vet.