How Can I Tell If My Dog Has Fleas?

Protecting your dog from common parasites, such as fleas, is simple with the variety of dog flea treatment options available. But, how do you know if your dog has fleas or if their constant scratching has another cause, such as dry skin?

The good news is that identifying fleas is relatively easy as these biting insects can be seen with the naked eye when they reach adulthood. In this article, we explain how to tell if your dog has fleas and give our recommendation on the best dog flea treatment.

Symptoms of Fleas on Dogs

Regularly checking your dog for fleas is an important part of managing their health and one of the first steps before starting any dog flea treatment. 

While fleas are most active in Spring and Summer, they are hardy parasites that can thrive year-round. Fleas are small dark brown or black insects that feed on the blood of mammals.

Fleas cause itching and irritation to the skin when they bite. Because they break the protective skin barrier to feed, they can also contribute to the onset of more serious problems, such as secondary skin infections and the transmission of diseases.

If your pooch has fleas, you may notice changes in their behaviour or to their skin and coat. These changes can include:

• Excessive scratching, licking and chewing
• Hair loss or ‘hair barbering’ where the hair is partially chewed off, leaving the ends stiff or rough
• Changes in the coat’s colour, including copper or rust-coloured patches that result from excessive licking and chewing
• Changes in the skin’s appearance, including redness, crusts, scales or ‘hot spots’, which are moist, ulcerative lesions that are often inflamed and occur suddenly

How to Check for Fleas on Dogs

The lower back, tail head, inner thighs and groin are the most common places that you’ll find fleas on your dog if they have a flea infestation. 

Unlike dry skin where scales and flakes are white, stationary and appear in patches, fleas will be small dark brown or black specks that move. You may find individual fleas or groups of fleas, depending on the level of infestation.

1. You’ll need your pooch to be still during the examination, so make sure they’re sitting or lying comfortably, and reward them with a treat. 
2. Start by parting the hair in the areas listed above and look for any dark-coloured specks. Adult fleas can be seen moving along the skin or hair shafts. You may also find traces of flea faeces, which will be smaller in size and look like ground pepper.  
3. Additionally, you can use a flea comb to gently comb through the hair in these problem areas and empty the contents of the comb onto a white paper towel for closer inspection.  

It’s also important to check your dog’s toys, bedding and crate for fleas as infestations can recur if these biting insects aren’t removed from your pet’s environment.

Treatment of Fleas on Dogs

The most effective way to rid your dog of fleas is to pair a dog flea treatment with a thorough elimination of fleas from your home.

• Dog Flea Treatment: Neovet is one of the fastest acting flea treatments for dogs, which effectively stops fleas feeding in under five minutes. It’s recommended by our team of veterinarians for use on fleas and other harmful parasites.

• Eliminate Fleas on Your Dog: A good dog flea treatment, like Neovet, can also be paired with a topical flea shampoo to thoroughly clean the skin and coat. Just be sure to wait 30 minutes after applying Neovet before bathing. If you have other pets in your home, they should also be treated for fleas to prevent any reinfestations.    

• Eliminate Fleas from Your Dog’s Environment: Clean your dog’s crate, bedding and toys with warm, soapy water containing a pet-friendly disinfectant. Any bedding or soft toys with obvious signs of flea infestation should be discarded. It’s also recommended to vacuum and wash any indoor floors exposed to your pooch. 

Prevention of Fleas on Dogs

The flea lifecycle is around three weeks and can be broken with a regular dog flea treatment. Veterinarians recommend protecting all dogs from fleas using an APVMA-approved flea prevention product, like Neovet – even if your pooch spends most of their time indoors.

Neovet is an affordable and veterinary-grade topical flea and worm topical that is safe for use on dogs and puppies from seven weeks of age. It protects against fleas, flea larvae and flea allergy dermatitis, as well as other parasites, including the deadly heartworm. 

Stop your dog scratching from fleas with our vet approved Neovet! Our Neovet range includes Neovet for Large Dogs, Neovet for Medium Dogs, Neovet for Small Dogs and Neovet for Toy Dogs and Puppies. Shop the range now!