Identifying Whether Your Canine Has Fleas: A Guide by Paula Fitzsimmons, Reviewed by Brittany Kleszynski, DVM, Updated on March 30, 2024.
Owning a dog comes with numerous joys, but one unwanted companion can turn a pet's life—and your own—into an itchy, uncomfortable mess: fleas. These tiny parasites thrive on dog's blood, causing discomfort, skin irritation, and even potential health issues. Here's what every dog owner should know about identifying, eliminating, and preventing fleas.
Fleas are not just aesthetically displeasing; they can cause significant harm to dogs. Left unchecked, these parasites can damage a dog's skin, leading to inflammation, infection, and diseases. So, understanding how to spot fleas and implementing a preventative care routine is crucial to maintaining your pet's overall health.
Identifying fleas may be challenging, as they are small, fast-moving, and can disguise themselves as other common dog ailments. However, by working with your veterinarian and learning the telltale signs, you'll be able to address flea infestations promptly and efficiently.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
Adult fleas are small, reddish-brown parasites, approximately the size of a sesame seed. They have a flattened body, allowing them to move swiftly and evade detection. Their hind legs provide them with exceptional jumping abilities, making them hard to catch. Fleas are wingless but have comb-like, spiny structures on their legs, back, and mouth that help them maintain a strong grip on their hosts.
To find fleas, it's often easier to search for their excrement, or "flea dirt," which appears as coffee grounds or dark specks on a flea comb. You can run the comb gently through your dog's fur, especially around the tail and base of the spine.
Flea Eggs on Dogs
Flea eggs are even more challenging to spot than adult fleas. They are roughly the size of a grain of salt, oval, and off-white in color. To effectively notice flea eggs, use a flea comb to carefully separate the fur from the skin and inspect the area closely.
Flea eggs do not stay on dogs for long. Most of them will fall off soon after being laid, often landing on carpeting, blankets, or bedding, where they can easily hatch and find their way back to your dog.
Flea Bites on Dogs
Flea bites manifest as small, raised, red dots on a dog's skin. These bites are usually smaller than other insect bites but can become larger and more visible due to scratching. The size of the bite can vary depending on the dog's sensitivity to fleas.
Signs of Fleas on Dogs
While identifying fleas directly can be difficult, there are other symptoms that might indicate a flea infestation. Signs to watch for include excessive scratching or biting, hair loss, skin wounds, presence of flea dirt, pale gums, and weight loss. However, these symptoms can also indicate other conditions, so consulting a veterinarian is essential to receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Veterinarian Consultation
If you suspect your dog has fleas, always consult your veterinarian for proper identification and recommended treatment options. While flea allergy is a common cause of skin disease in dogs, other conditions such as food allergies, pollen or mold allergies, fungal infections, or dry skin may be responsible for your dog's symptoms. Working closely with a vet will help determine the root cause of any issues and ensure appropriate treatment.
Treating fleas involves addressing the infestation on both the dog and its environment. Talk to your veterinarian about recommended flea preventative products like Simparica TRIO or Revolution—prescription preventatives tend to be much more effective than over-the-counter solutions. These products come in various forms, including topical solutions, oral medications, collars, and sprays.
Regular cleaning and vacuuming of your home, especially focusing on hidden areas and furniture, can help eliminate fleas in all stages of their life cycle. Regularly washing your dog's bedding and upholstery in hot water, using detergents or bleach, can also help eliminate fleas and prevent ongoing infestations.
With the help of a veterinarian, a consistent prevention plan, and proper treatment, you can help keep fleas at bay, ensuring a happier, healthier life for both you and your furry companion.
Small, reddish-brown parasites known as fleas, approximately the size of a sesame seed, can cause significant harm to dogs by damaging their skin, leading to inflammation, infection, and diseases. To find fleas, search for their excrement, or "flea dirt," which appears as coffee grounds or dark specks on a flea comb, especially around a dog's tail and base of the spine. Additionally, signs of a flea infestation might include excessive scratching or biting, hair loss, skin wounds, presence of flea dirt, pale gums, and weight loss, so consulting a veterinarian for proper identification and recommended treatment options is essential.
