Ticks on Dogs in Bangalore: Rainy-Season Checks & Removal

Ask any Bangalore groomer when they find the most ticks and the answer is the same: from the first June showers through to the end of the northeast rains in November. Bangalore doesn’t get the punishing heat of other Indian cities, but it does stay damp and green for half the year. Long grass in layouts and vacant plots, the lawns at Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, and the edges of the city’s lakes are all perfect tick habitat. A dog that walks there daily can pick up ticks surprisingly fast.

This guide explains where ticks hide on a dog, how to check in two minutes after a walk, how to remove a tick safely, the warning signs that need a vet, and how regular grooming helps.

Why ticks are worse in Bangalore’s rainy months

Ticks thrive in warm, humid conditions with plenty of vegetation. Bangalore’s southwest monsoon (roughly June to September) followed by the northeast rains (October and November) gives them a long season. Ticks wait on grass blades and low plants and climb onto a passing dog. They also survive indoors in cracks, bedding, and kennels, so one infested dog can lead to ticks in the house.

Where ticks hide on a dog

Ticks look for warm, thin-skinned, hidden spots. Check these first:

• Inside and behind the ears, and in the ear folds
• Between the toes and under the paw pads
• Armpits and the groin
• Under the collar or harness
• Around the eyelids and on the face
• At the base of the tail and around the rear

A tick that hasn’t fed yet can be as small as a sesame seed. A feeding tick swells into a grey or brown bean-shaped lump that owners sometimes mistake for a skin tag or wart.

The two-minute after-walk check

1. Run your fingers slowly over your dog’s body, pressing gently, feeling for small bumps.
2. Fold back each ear and look inside with a phone torch.
3. Spread the toes on each paw.
4. Lift each leg and check the armpit and groin.
5. Slide the collar round and check underneath.

On long-coated dogs, use a fine-toothed comb against the skin. Do this after every walk in grass during the rainy months; it takes two minutes once it’s a habit. For how often a full groom should sit alongside those daily checks, see how often to groom your dog.

How to remove a tick safely

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal hook. Wear gloves if you have them.
2. Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, by its head, not the swollen body.
3. Pull straight out with slow, steady pressure. Don’t twist, jerk or squeeze the body.
4. Clean the bite with mild soap and water or a pet-safe antiseptic, and wash your hands.
5. Dispose of the tick by dropping it in a small container of rubbing alcohol, or seal it in tape. Don’t crush it with your fingers.
6. Watch the spot for a few days. A small red bump is normal. Swelling, pus or a spreading rash needs a vet.

If you find many ticks, or ticks keep coming back, removing them one by one isn’t enough. Speak to your vet about a preventive plan.

Warning signs that need a vet

Ticks can spread infections to dogs, sometimes called “tick fever” in India. Contact your vet promptly if your dog shows any of these in the days or weeks after a tick bite:

• Tiredness, weakness or reluctance to walk
• Loss of appetite
• Fever (warm, dry nose and ears are not reliable; your vet will check)
• Pale gums
• Nosebleeds, bruising or blood in urine
• Vomiting or unusual weight loss

These signs need a proper diagnosis and treatment from a vet. Don’t wait to see if they pass. You can talk to a ThePetNest vet online if you’re unsure whether a visit is needed.

Prevention: what actually works

• A vet-recommended tick preventive, used consistently through the rainy season. Your vet will suggest the right type for your dog’s age, weight, and health. Don’t buy or combine products without advice, and never use dog products on cats.
• Daily checks after walks in grass, as above.
• Keep the coat manageable. Ticks are much easier to spot and remove on a well-brushed coat. Long-coated breeds benefit from a trim around the feet, ears and belly.
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water during the rains, and vacuum where your dog sleeps.
• Avoid the longest grass on walks where you can, and keep any garden or terrace plants trimmed.

How grooming helps

A professional groom is one of the best tick checks your dog gets. During a full groom, the groomer handles every part of the coat, including the places owners miss: deep in the ear folds, between the toes, and under the tail. At ThePetNest, our Bangalore groomers do a tick check at every rainy-season visit, remove any ticks they find, and tell you if there are signs you should see a vet. You can also ask for PawLuxe, which includes an anti-tick treatment as part of the full groom. Book it with at-home grooming in Bangalore.

After the groom, make sure your dog’s coat is fully dried. Damp fur against the skin is the other big rainy-season problem in Bangalore; our monsoon grooming guide covers bathing and drying in the wet months.

Ticks on dogs: FAQs

This article is general information and not a substitute for advice from your vet.