Fleas are a common problem in dogs. If fleas go unnoticed, or untreated, they can lead to infections and disease. Fleas are like vampires, they love to feed off the blood of our pets. They’re also really hard to detect to the human eye. Dogs can attract fleas while outside, but humans can also bring these pests in on our clothes. But how can you tell if your dog has fleas? Here are a few tell-tale warning signs it might be time to visit the vet:
- Itching and scratching. The most common sign of fleas is itching and scratching. Because fleas are most active in the warmer months, if you see your dog scratching a lot when it’s hot outside, it could be a sign of fleas. Itching and scratching could be a sign of allergies too, but it’s always best to consult your vet to make sure.
- Red bumps or pimples. If you have a dog with allergies, and you’re not sure if it’s scratching because of that, inspect the skin of your pet. Fleas will leave red bumps or pimples, and they should be very visible in the area your dog is most bothered by.
- Flea Dirt. Look for “flea dirt” on your pet and around your home. Flea dirt is digested blood, and it looks brownish and grainy. If you’re unsure, add a drop of water to it. If it’s flea dirt, it will turn red again. If you test on your pet, rub gently with a white towel and the flea dirt should come right off and onto the towel.
- Buy a Flea Comb. Because fleas can be tough to see to the human eye, a flea comb will help you spot the critters. A flea comb is very fine-toothed and metal. It’s important to brush your dog with enough force that the comb makes contact with the skin. Adult fleas will look like tiny pepper-like specs on the comb.
- Tapeworms. Fleas can lead to tapeworms, especially if your dog ingests any fleas. If you see white, rice-like segments near your dog’s favorite sleeping or sitting spots, it could be tapeworms. Contact your vet immediately if you notice this issue. The vet will be able to treat both the fleas and tapeworms.
If you believe your home has fleas, and they’ve gotten to your dog, there are a number of important steps to take. The first is to eliminate them from your dog’s skin. There are a number of flea shampoos and collars that will kill adult fleas. Fleas reproduce quickly, so eliminating any potential breeding ground is also necessary. You should treat the dog’s surroundings (cages, blankets it uses, furniture it uses, etc) as well as treating the dogs. Contact your vet so that a proper exam can be done to make sure your pet hasn’t developed any other issues due to the flea bites.
