Dog Fleas

How to spot fleas on your dog

Not sure if you’ve spotted fleas on your dog or if it’s something else entirely? Our pet experts have got your back with this guide to spotting fleas, including the common signs that your dog is suffering from these irritating insects. Let’s get on the case.

Contents

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Before getting started
Look out for
Other signs to look out for
Did you spot signs of fleas?
No signs of fleas?

Before getting started

Make sure your dog is calm and relaxed before starting to search them for fleas – that’ll make it less stressful for you and them. After they’ve woken from a sleep or had a long walk could be a good time. Dogs can actually enjoy the experience if they feel like they’re being groomed!

Where to look for fleas and what to look for

Gently comb through their hair, focusing on areas where fleas are most likely to be found, such as around their neck, down their back and around their tail.
If your dog has a thick or long coat, you can part their fur using a comb and look around the roots of the hairs.
If you see dark-coloured little insects darting around these parts, these are likely to be fleas. Fleas are tiny – around 2-6mm in length.
See some little specks of dirt? This could be flea dirt – in other words, their poop.

How to check whether it’s normal dirt or flea dirt

It’s easy to mistake soil particles for flea droppings. To be sure of what’s on your dog, grab a piece of wet tissue or kitchen paper and comb your dog’s hair and any specks of dirt onto it. If a reddish-brown halo forms around the specks of dirt, you’ll know these are flea droppings – which means your dog definitely does have fleas and it’s time to use a flea treatment, if you haven’t already.

Other signs to look out for

If your dog is feeling the discomfort fleas can cause, some of these signs might be showing themselves. And if there’s an infestation going on, the humans in the house may notice some irritating itching too.
Over-grooming
If your dog is licking themselves more than usual, this could be because fleas are causing them discomfort (but it can be a sign of other issues too). This is how fleas can also lead to tapeworm infestations, as dogs can swallow a flea that has been infected with tapeworm eggs while they’re grooming.
Scratching
Fleas aren’t the only reason dogs scratch themselves, but they are a common cause. Fleas can cause skin irritation, making our dogs uncomfortable and itchy. The reaction will be even worse if the poor pet has flea allergy dermatitis.

Bald or sore patches
Excessive grooming and scratching can damage a dog’s skin and fur. There could be red and irritated skin around their ears, short bristly patches of fur where part of the hair has been broken off, or even hair loss.
Flea bites on human family members
Sometimes we only notice a flea infestation once we’ve been bitten ourselves. Flea bites can cause itchy red bumps on the skin, usually around the ankles or even on the legs if you’ve got dog that likes to sit close to you.

Did you spot signs of fleas?

If the dog you’ve found fleas on has recently been flea-treated, it’s important not to treat them again until the next treatment interval comes around. But you can follow point 3 below.
If your dog hasn’t recently been flea treated, use a flea treatment on your dog as soon as possible. Take a look at our tailored advice on how to get rid of fleas.
If people are being bitten too, this is a sign of a home infestation and there are additional steps you’ll need to take to sort the issue. It’s best to find out how to get rid of fleas in the house now, before the problem escalates any further.

No signs of fleas?

That’s great, but it’s important to remember that fleas can be difficult to spot and some stages of the flea life cycle are even harder to see – such as flea eggs and larvae. So not noticing them isn’t a sure sign your dog is actually flea-free.

It’s always best to flea treat your pet according to their lifestyle. For example, dogs who go to areas where wildlife (such as foxes and hedgehogs) are found will be at higher risk of picking up fleas, ticks and worms than those who don’t. Ask your vet what they’d recommend for your pet’s lifestyle.

So now we know how to spot the common signs of fleas – a technique that comes in handy for all dog parents. Seeing fleas can be a bit daunting, but by taking the right steps, you’ll be well on your way to solving the issue. Which is good news for dogs and bad news for fleas.

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