How to Tell if Your Dog Has Fleas

Co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: March 7, 2024 References

Fleas are a common parasite that can make your dog itchy and uncomfortable. Not only are they annoying and hard to get rid of, but they can also be dangerous to your dog if they’re left untreated. In most cases, you can tell whether your dog has fleas by watching its behavior, performing a visual check during grooming, and examining your environment for signs of the fleas or their droppings.

Part 1

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Examining Your Dog for Fleas

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Watch your dog for excessive scratching or chewing. Flea bites are extremely itchy, so the first sign of a flea infestation is usually seeing your dog scratching or chewing itself more than usual.^{[1]
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- Other behavioral signs of fleas might include head shaking, hair loss, scabs, or hot spots.^{[3]
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Examine your dog’s skin for tiny, red, raised bumps. Flea bites are usually smaller than other insect bites. This means they can be hard to spot, so you’ll have to look carefully.^{[4]
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- Some dogs may have a stronger reaction to a flea’s saliva, causing a larger red area and more severe irritation.^{[5]
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- You may notice small red dots on your own skin, which could also be flea bites.
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Check your dog’s fur to spot adult fleas. Use your fingers to part your dog's fur so that you can see its skin, looking for signs of adult fleas. Fleas tend to prefer the base of the tail, the abdomen, and behind the ears, but they can be found anywhere on the dog.^{[6]
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- Adult fleas are about the size of a pencil lead. They are small, flat-bodied insects, and they range in color from reddish-brown to black.
- Keep in mind that fleas will move away from your fingers as you search your dog's fur, making them hard to spot.
- Most fleas live in the environment around the dog, so they may be hard to find in your dog's fur if it only has a mild infestation.
Brushing your dog may agitate any fleas which might be present. If they jump off of your dog, you should be able to easily spot them on the white towel.^{[7]
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Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM
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Check dogs for fleas. Signs that fleas may be present include scratching excessively, losing hair, or irritated skin. You can gently brush your dog's coat onto a paper towel to catch black specks, which could be flea waste. If rusty stains appear when you wet the paper towel, it likely indicates a flea infestation needing treatment.
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Use a flea comb and soapy water to check your dog’s coat for flea dirt. Place the flea comb on your dog's coat, then apply slight pressure until the comb comes in contact with your dog's skin. Carefully brush through your dog's coat, making sure the comb stays in contact with its skin through the entire stroke.^{[8]
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- After each pass, examine the comb for fleas and flea dirt, then dip the comb into a bowl of warm soapy water to clean the comb.
- Flea dirt, or flea droppings, look like small black flecks, but they actually contain dried blood. If you dip the flea comb into a bowl of soapy water, you should see the flecks slowly change back to red.^{[9]
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- If the flecks remain black after being added to water, it’s probably regular dirt.
- You can also place the flecks on a damp cotton pad and monitor them to see if they change color. If a rusty red halo forms around the flecks, it's a sign that the flecks are flea dirt.
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Look in your dog’s mouth to see if its gums are pale. Pale gums could be a sign of anemia, which can indicate blood loss due to fleas.^{[10]
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- Other signs of anemia include low body temperature and listlessness.^{[11]
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- Anemia from flea bites is especially dangerous in young puppies and small dogs.

Part 2

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Checking Your Environment

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Examine your dog’s bedding and food area for flea dirt. If you see small black flecks on your dog’s bedding, wipe them up with a damp, white washcloth or paper towel. If they start to turn red after a few minutes, the flecks are flea dirt.^{[12]
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- Check around your dog’s bedding, its food area, and wherever it spends a lot of time.
- You may also see adult fleas in the area.
If there are fleas or flea dirt present, they will get trapped on the socks, making it easy for you to see them.^{[13]
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Make a light trap with a bowl of water and a nightlight. Set a small bowl of soapy water on the floor near your dog’s bedding and turn on a nightlight. If there are fleas in the area, they will be drawn towards the light, causing them to jump into the soapy water and drown.^{[14]
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- You may want to keep your dog in a kennel or in a separate area overnight so it doesn’t attempt to drink the soapy water.

Part 3

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Treating Fleas

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Contact your veterinarian if your dog has fleas. Your veterinarian will recommend a specific treatment plan for your household. You will need to treat all of your animals, including indoor and outdoor cats.^{[15]
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- Common options for killing fleas include a monthly treatment applied to the back of the dog’s neck, as well as shampoos, sprays, and powders.
- It’s important to create a treatment plan that is specific to your dog and its environment, because using certain products in combination with each other can be toxic to your pet.
Try store-bought or natural remedies to kill fleas. Store-bought flea sprays and powders can be an effective way to kill fleas on your dog, in your dog's bedding, and throughout your home. You may also be able to discourage fleas from settling on your dog by dipping your dog's brush in lemon juice before you comb its fur.
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Clean your house thoroughly. You will need to vacuum and wash all of your carpets, rugs, bedding, and upholstery to get rid of fleas and their eggs.^{[16]
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- To prevent fleas from returning, wash your dog’s bedding at least once a week.^{[17]
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Spray or fog your home with flea-killer to get rid of severe infestations. These chemicals are extremely dangerous, so they should only be used if you can’t get rid of the fleas any other way.^{[18]
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- Some flea killers come in the form of aerosol sprays, while bug bombs or foggers release on their own once you have activated them. This gives you time to leave the area so you’re not exposed to the chemicals.
- Wear a face mask to protect yourself while you’re using these chemicals, or have a professional exterminator come to your home.
- You will need to temporarily evacuate your home during this process, so have a plan for what you will do with your dog and other animals. This evacuation is usually about 3-6 hours, but be sure to read the label carefully to be sure.
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Mow the grass in your yard once a week to keep the grass short. Mowing the grass will help prevent fleas from jumping onto your dog when it spends time outdoors.
- Fleas prefer dark places. Mowing the grass exposes them to sunlight, which will help discourage them from infesting your yard.

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How do I check my dog for fleas?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Try combing through their fur to see if there's any black specks called "flea dirt." If you get the flea dirt wet on a paper towel, it will leave a red stain.

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Question

What kills fleas on dogs instantly?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
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Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

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Though not "instant," an oral medication called Capstar kills fleas on dogs within minutes.

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Question

How do you know if your dog has fleas?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The biggest clue is to look for flea dirts. Part the dog's coat and look for black specks, and place one on damp cotton wool. An orange halo means it's a flea dirt.

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Tips

Vacuum your home at least 1-2 times a week to lower your pet’s chances of getting fleas. Vacuuming can remove fleas, cocoons, eggs, and larvae from your carpet, rugs, and furniture.

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Warnings

Wear a face mask to protect yourself while you’re using flea spray or foggers, or have a professional exterminator come to your home.

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Never use flea products on your dog that are intended to treat cats.

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