How to Tell if a Dog Has Fleas

Fleas are a common parasite that often causes itching and discomfort for dogs. Fleas are not only annoying and difficult to treat, but they are also a danger to dogs if left untreated. In most cases, you can tell your dog has fleas by observing its behavior, visually inspecting the dog’s coat, and looking for signs of fleas or flea droppings.

Table of Contents

Check your dog for fleas

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Pay attention if you see a dog scratching and biting. Flea bites are terribly itchy, so the first sign that your dog has a flea infestation is usually scratching and biting more than usual. ^{[1] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to Source}

Other signs that your dog has fleas are head shaking, hair loss, scabs, or hot spots on the skin. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Examine the dog’s skin for small, raised red spots. Flea bites are usually smaller than those of other species, so they can be difficult to spot, so look carefully. ^{[3] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to Source}

In some cases, dogs react strongly to flea saliva, causing the bitten area to become larger and more irritated. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to Source}
You may also notice red spots on your skin from flea bites.

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Check your dog’s coat for adult fleas. Trim the dog’s coat with your hand to see the skin underneath and look for signs of adult fleas. Fleas usually like to congregate at the base of the tail, belly, and behind the ears, but they can also crawl all over the dog’s body. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Adult fleas are only about the size of a pencil’s tip. They are small, flat-bodied bugs that range in color from reddish brown to black.
Keep in mind that fleas will run away when you part your dog’s fur to look for them, so it can be difficult to spot.
Most fleas live in the surroundings of dogs, so you may have a hard time finding them on your dog’s coat if your dog has only moderate flea infestations.

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Have the dog stand on a white towel to brush the coat. Fleas will be alarmed when you brush your dog’s coat. If they jump out of the dog’s body, you will easily see them fall on the white towel. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Use a flea comb and soapy water to check for flea droppings on your dog’s coat. Place the flea comb on the dog’s coat and gently press down until the comb touches the skin. Carefully comb through the dog’s coat, making sure the comb teeth are touching the dog’s skin while brushing. ^{[7] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to Source}

After each brush, check the comb for fleas and flea droppings, then dip the comb in a bowl of warm soapy water to clean it.
Flea droppings look like tiny black particles, but they actually contain dried blood. You should see these particles gradually turn red as you dip the comb into the bowl of soapy water.
If these particles are still black when added to the water, it is probably just normal soil.
You can also put these particles on a damp cotton ball and watch for it to change color. If there’s a rusty red color around it, it’s a sign of flea droppings.

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Look in the dog’s mouth to see if the gums are pale. Pale gums can be a sign of anemia, indicating that the dog has lost blood from a flea bite. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Other signs of anemia include low body temperature and lethargy. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Flea anemia is especially dangerous for puppies and small dogs.

Check your surroundings

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Check the area where the dog’s food bowls and bedding are located for flea droppings. If you see small black particles on your dog’s bed, use a clean white damp rag or paper towel. If you see these particles turn red after a few minutes, it is flea droppings. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Check around your dog’s bed, food bowls, and any other places the dog likes to lie down.
You may also see adult fleas in these areas.

Flea treatment

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Contact your veterinarian if your dog has fleas. Your veterinarian will come up with a specific plan to help you get rid of fleas in your home. You will have to treat all pets, including indoor and outdoor cats. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Common flea control options include: monthly nappies, dog bath oils, sprays, and powders.
It is important to devise a plan that is specific to your dog and its surroundings, as there are some products that can be toxic to pets when used in combination.

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Try natural remedies to get rid of fleas . Commercially available sprays and powders can be effective products for killing fleas on dogs, dog beds, and anywhere in the home. You can also prevent fleas from attaching to your dog by dipping a dog comb in lemon juice before brushing.

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General house cleaning. You will have to vacuum and wash all carpets, bed sheets, and upholstered furniture to remove fleas and their eggs. ^{[14] X Research Source}

To prevent fleas from returning, you should wash your dog’s bedding at least once a week. ^{[15] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Spray or spray flea repellent indoors in severe cases. These chemicals are very dangerous, so you should only use them when all other methods of killing fleas have failed. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Some flea killers come in aerosol form, and flea sprays or “bombs” will self-medicate once activated, giving you time to leave the house free of chemical exposure.
Wear a mask to protect yourself when using chemicals, or call professional service to a disposal facility.
You will have to temporarily leave the house during the flea treatment, so you need to have a plan to protect your dog and other pets. Usually you need to avoid going for 3-6 hours, but be sure to read the label to be on the safe side.

Advice

Vacuum the house at least 1-2 times a week to reduce the risk of flea infestation. This can remove fleas, pupae, eggs and larvae from carpets and furniture.

Warning

Wear a mask when spraying fleas, or call a pest control service to take care of them.
Do not use flea products intended for cats to treat dogs.

Things you need

Dog hair brush
White bath towel
Flea comb
Soap water bowl
Lamp
Flea repellent

Steps