Royal Canin
How to get rid of fleas on your dog
If your dog is itching, scratching or biting excessively, it may be an indication that something more is going on beneath their coat. This article is here to help you determine whether your dog has fleas, and if so, how best to manage them.
What are fleas?
Fleas are tiny parasites that feed off the blood of their hosts. There are over 2,200 known species1 – however the flea most commonly found on dogs is not the “dog flea” as you might expect, but the “cat flea”. Cat fleas are known to infest more than 50 different mammals and birds across the world1, so you can imagine how this gives your dog plenty of opportunity to pick them up or pass them around as they go about their day.
How to tell if your dog has fleas
At approximately 1-3 millimeters in length, fleas on dogs can be difficult to spot with the human eye. But there are plenty of other ways you can watch out for them. Itchy skin is the most well-known sign of flea activity, so look out for severe scratching, itching, or if your dog is biting or chewing their skin more than usual. Hair loss, scabs or red, irritated skin are also tell-tale signs.
If you can’t spot the fleas themselves, you can search for their droppings, which look like flecks of pepper scattered over the infested area of your dog’s body. Fleas generally like to hide out in the neck, ears, lower back, abdomen and base of the tail1, so check for symptoms in all of these areas. You can also comb your dog with a fine-toothed flea comb, which will pick up fleas and flea dirt, making it easy for you to see evidence of any flea activity on your dog.
Remember, there are numerous types of external parasites your dog can attract – not just fleas. Find out how to spot the difference and protect your dog from other types of infestation here.
Your step-by-step guide to checking for fleas
If you’re wondering “how to get rid of fleas on my dog?” this should be your go-to guide. As well as the visible signs of fleas, there are physical checks you can carry out to put your mind at ease.
Check their behavior
You may notice that your dog seems restless and is scratching, licking or chewing particular areas of their body more than usual. Repeated shaking of the head and scratching at the ears is another indication of a possible flea infestation in your dog.
Check their skin and hair
Your dog’s armpits and groin are two warm, sheltered areas that make the perfect hiding places for large flea populations. You can gently turn your dog onto their back to see if you can spot anything in these regions. Check the ears for signs of scratching, redness, blood, or dirt, and check the skin on the belly, groin, or base of the tail to see if it appears red and bumpy. You may also find some hair loss, black spots or scabbing of the skin in places your dog has scratched excessively.
Run your flea comb through the hair on your dog’s back and legs. The comb’s teeth are designed to catch and pull fleas out from wherever they are hiding under the hair coat. Make sure you run the comb close to the skin, as this is where the fleas are most likely to be, and keep a bowl of soapy water close to hand so you can dispose of any live fleas as you comb.
If the fleas are hard to see, place a white piece of paper or paper towel on the floor beneath your dog as you comb through their hair. Flea dirt will fall off your dog’s skin and land onto the paper – making it easy for you to spot them. If you’re unsure whether the dirt on the paper is regular dirt or flea dirt, you can wet the marks with water – if they turn a dark, reddish-brown color, this is flea dirt.Check their environment
Fleas don’t just stay on your dog. They can be found all around your house – particularly in areas your dog spends a lot of time. As such, it’s a good idea to examine your dog’s feeding area, bedding and favorite places for signs of fleas or flea dirt. Wearing white socks to walk through these areas is an easy method you can use to detect fleas and flea dirt, as they will stand out on the white background.
Another method used to uncover the presence of fleas in the house is called a "light trap". At night, you can place a small bowl of water with dishwashing soap near a nightlight on the floor. As the fleas jump towards the light they will fall into the bowl and drown.
When to speak to your vet about fleas
Speaking to your vet means that the flea infestation can be resolved quickly and efficiently, and that your dog’s comfort and quality of life will be restored sooner. Vets will also be able to provide tailored medical advice, necessary treatment and management recommendations to remove the fleas.
If you can’t find any signs of actual fleas on your dog or in their living space, and if you have done the full flea eradication treatment on your dog but they are still scratching excessively, then it’s important to ask your vet for advice. They will help you to determine the cause of your dog’s discomfort and suggest treatment options.
If you’d like to know more about any other dermatology and skin issues that could affect your dog, you can find more information in our article here.
How to get rid of fleas on your dog
Before speaking to your vet, there are a few remedies you can try to get rid of fleas yourself.
Give your dog a bath
Bathing your dog in lukewarm water can help to dislodge fleas from their fur and skin. You can use a mild soap – however if you’re thinking about using a flea shampoo, it may be a good idea to talk to your vet first, as this could strip the oils from your dog’s fur and dry out their skin.
Use a fine-toothed flea comb
As well as being a valuable method to check for fleas, a fine-toothed flea comb is also a great way to get rid of them. Dipping the comb in a mixture of water and dish soap will help to catch the fleas and stop them from jumping away. Flea combs can also help to remove flea dirt and flea eggs from your dog’s fur, avoiding further infestation. Remember to be extra vigilant when combing around your dog’s neck and tail areas, as that’s where fleas prefer to feed2.
Spray your dog with an apple cider vinegar solution
Apple cider vinegar doesn’t kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don’t like the smell or taste of it, so they’re likely to avoid your dog if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle. If your dog doesn’t like getting sprayed, dip a brush in the mixture and groom it into their fur.
Clean your home thoroughly
If your dog is infested, fleas could spread to other areas of your home too. They can live in soft furnishings like carpets, bedding and clothing, or may jump onto other pets (and sometimes humans). Make sure you clean your house regularly, particularly after your dog has been treated to avoid re-infestation.
Do regular checks
If your dog has a history of fleas, groom them with a flea comb at least once a week to keep their fur and your home free of fleas.
Article References
1Burke. A, What Do Flea Bites Look Like on Dogs?, American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/flea-bites-on-dogs/, 2022
2Pagán, C. N, How to Remove Fleas From Your Pet, Fetch by WebMD, https://pets.webmd.com/remove-fleas-from-pet, 2021
3Kvamme. J, Does My Dog Have Fleas?, PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/evr_dg_does_my_dog_have_fleas, 2011