There’s no getting around it; fleas on dogs are a problem that dog parents have to deal with. If you notice some small, brown insects in your dog’s fur or a lot of new itchiness, you may have an infestation on your hands. But don’t panic; we’re going to give you the low-down on how to get rid of dog fleas and tips for preventing fleas in the first place. 

Why Fleas are a Problem for Both Dogs and Their Owners

Fleas are a common issue for dogs, but with the right approach and treatment, most dogs will recover fully. While fleas are common, they can cause discomfort, transmit disease, and infest your home. Let’s unpack this:

• Discomfort: Flea bites can get very itchy and cause discomfort, but they also bring health issues like potential allergic reactions, blood loss, and stress. 

• Itchiness: Fleas can cause intense itchiness, making your pup scratch, which can hurt their skin, damage their fur, and cause infections and inflammation. 

• Allergies: Dogs can be sensitive or allergic to flea saliva, which can cause symptoms like itchiness, swelling, or redness. 

• Disease: In addition to fleas being a frustrating problem, they can also carry diseases that bring many health problems. 

• Home: Fleas can bite humans and infest the house and yard, making it hard to get rid of them. Because they can lay eggs, they can hatch and start a new infestation.

Signs of a Flea Infestation in Dogs

While prevention is always a good idea, know that dogs do sometimes get fleas. It’s easy for your pup to pick up fleas from other dogs or from being outside. Fleas can cause serious health problems for dogs, so it’s important to jump into action as soon as you notice any signs of a flea infestation.

If your dog has a flea problem, you will probably notice. A major sign of fleas is very intense scratching or biting themselves. Even if you don’t see your dog scratching, you will notice signs of scratching, like red and irritated skin or scabs. Your dog may also start to lose some fur because they are biting to cope with the flea bites. While other things can make your dog itchy, there are other telltale signs of fleas to look for, including the following: 

• Severe scratching 

• Chewing at the skin 

• Hair loss 

• Scabs 

• Red, irritated, and inflamed skin 

• Flea dirt (looks like black pepper on the skin or fur) 

• Flea eggs (look like white specks) 

• Bald patches 

• Infected skin 

How to Check Your Dog for Fleas and Identify the Type of Flea?

Alongside intense itching and symptoms of flea bites, the other way to figure out if your dog has fleas is to look for the fleas themselves. You’re looking for fleas and flea dirt. Flea dirt is the feces from the fleas that contain digested blood and waste. Follow these steps to check your dog for fleas: 

1. Grab a flea comb, a bowl of soapy water, and a magnifying glass. 

2. Comb through your dog’s fur and focus on the ears, neck, tail, belly, and groin. 

3. Every time you comb through the fur, put the comb in the soapy water to kill any fleas or eggs. 

4. Fleas are tiny brown insects that jump, and flea dirt looks red when wet. 

5. Once you have found fleas, you can examine them under the magnifying glass to identify them. 

There are over 2,000 species of fleas, so you won’t be able to identify every type of flea. But there are some common types of fleas that have a few key characteristics that can help you to identify them: 

• Cat fleas have a flat body and long legs and can jump up to 13 inches. Cat fleas are the most common type of flea for dogs. 

• Dog fleas are larger in size and lighter in color. 

Most reported cases of fleas affecting dogs are actually cat fleas. Cat fleas can live off the blood of warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, squirrels, and rats.  

Understanding the Flea's Life Cycle

By understanding the flea life cycle, you can learn how to break the life cycle, get rid of fleas, and stop the infestation from getting any bigger. 

Fleas have four stages of life:

Eggs

An adult female hops on a host and feeds on blood. After this, she can lay eggs, which are tiny little white objects. On average, a female flea can lay about 20 eggs per day. 

Larvae

When the temperature is right, eggs hatch and become larvae. Flea larvae can’t feed directly on the host yet, so they eat the flea dirt left behind by adult fleas. Over the next couple of weeks, flea larvae get bigger.

Pupae

This stage can take several days or weeks. The flea larvae develop into pupae, which are protected by a cocoon. The cocoon stays hidden in fabrics and carpets and keeps the pupae safe. 

Adult 

Once developed into an adult flea, the flea won’t come out of the cocoon until a potential host is near. After the flea leaves its cocoon, they will find a host to feed on. Once female fleas have fed, they can reproduce and begin laying eggs in a few days, and the cycle starts again. 

In ideal conditions and left unchecked, fleas develop fast. So, if you suspect your dog has fleas, it’s essential to move quickly and get it under control. 

How to Get Rid of Fleas 

There are plenty of dog flea medicines and flea remedies for dogs available. With the right approach and treatment, you can rid fleas from your life. Prevention is a given, but if you find that fleas have snuck in, a multi-pronged attack is usually a good idea. So, how do you get rid of fleas on a dog? Here’s what you need to know. 

Flea Comb

A flea comb can form an important part of flea relief for dogs. Medications and shampoos will start to kill adult fleas, but in the meantime, you should still do daily flea checks. After your pup is treated for fleas, regular flea checks can help you stay on top of any future problems.

Medications

So, what kills fleas on dogs?

You will come across different products designed to kill fleas. Your vet can help you to figure out the best dog fleas treatment for your pup. Always follow the instructions clearly on flea treatment and avoid mixing products without your vet’s advice. 

Oral Flea Medications

Oral medicines are chewable tablets that usually get to work within the first 30 minutes. Oral medications for fleas work by entering into the bloodstream and becoming active in the blood, tissue, and skin. Then, when a flea feeds on your dog’s blood, they eat that active ingredient and die.

Topical Flea Medications

Another treatment for fleas on dogs is a topical medication. This will be a liquid that you apply to your dog’s neck. Some brands, like Frontline Plus®, are available without a prescription, while others will need a prescription from your vet, like Bravecto®.

Natural Flea Medications

Currently, no natural flea treatments are proven to kill fleas effectively, and using the wrong treatment could potentially irritate inflamed skin. Instead, use an FDA-approved flea medication that’s proven and effective, and ask your vet for advice. 

Flea Shampoo and Sprays

Medicated flea shampoos and sprays can help provide active relief to get your flea problem under control. Many flea shampoos kill fleas and stop larvae and eggs from developing. Make sure to follow instructions properly and check with your vet for their recommendation.

How to Get Fleas Out of Your Home

As we mentioned, getting rid of fleas usually requires a multi-pronged approach. That’s because you need to kill the fleas on your dog and also get them out of your home to prevent future infestations. To get fleas out of your home, follow these steps: 

• Wash all dog bedding and soft toys in hot, soapy water. 

• Wash all household bedding and anything soft (rugs, pillowcases, blankets, bath mats, etc.) 

• Vacuum all flooring, curtains, and furniture, and throw the vacuum bag out. Repeat this step regularly to get rid of any trace of fleas. 

• Use a flea spray that you’re comfortable using inside your home and outside in the yard. 

• Continue treating your dog for fleas. 

• Use a monthly flea preventative on any animals in the house. 

This process can take some time and require repeated cleaning. Whenever you vacuum or clean, remove the bin and vacuum bag that could contain fleas. 

Preventing Fleas on Dogs

The best treatment for fleas on dogs starts with prevention. If you can stop fleas from settling on your dog in the first place, you’re a step ahead. There’s no denying that a flea infestation can feel like a battle. A monthly preventative medication works from the inside out, helping your pup to stay free from fleas and other nasties like ticks and heartworm. Check your dog for fleas regularly, especially if you have been on a camping trip or outside in areas with high flea populations. 

Robust flea prevention is essential for keeping your furry friend happy and healthy, alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. A complete and balanced dog food with high-quality ingredients, like Jinx, provides essential nutrients to thrive while flea prevention keeps pesky parasites at bay. 

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.