Scratching dog - fleas

How To Check Your Dog For Fleas

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The detection of fleas on the body of your pets is easy. You can do this flea-checking regimen every time your pet scratches and is groomed. Bear in mind to never neglect the condition of your pet’s skin, as it will bring you more insights on the status of the infestation since these parasites can cling there for a long time.

When you are planning to start a full flea inspection to your pet, make sure to answer the following important and self-explanatory queries:

1. Is the skin of your pet clean, or is it bursting with dirt particles?

2. Did you check your pet’s fur? Is it clean, too?

3. Is your dog emitting a foul smell even after a full bath 24 hours ago?

4. If the odour persists, what is the source?

5. Is your dog scratching all the time?

6. Does your dog have raw patches of skin?

The Flea – Commonly Guilty for Your Pet’s Miseries

Usually, the selfish fleas taking their meals from your pet’s system cause the problems that are bothering your pet dog, regardless of it being an external or an internal issue. This is obviously because of the side effects of a parasite biting and sucking the blood of your pet – irritation, itch, and annoyance. Moreover, the saliva excreted by these fleas can trigger an allergic reaction to the bitten skin from your pet, causing infection. With this histamine reaction, your dog will need to exert more efforts in scratching its body, as compared to the other dogs with zero sensitivities.

Worse than the itch, fleas can also damage your pet by scattering tapeworms in its body. These tapeworms residing in the fleas’ body will be transferred to your pet’s system once your pet swallows a single infected flea. With just a certain cluster of canine bloodsuckers, these problems arise.

Fleas – Where Do They Originate?

Your dog can acquire these problems easily – from taking him for a walk in a park or simply from playing in the garden. You may reason out that after exiting your house, no fleas are in the vicinity, but beware that a flea can already start nibbling your dog after leaping a full two feet distance.

Fleas feast on blood to nurture their eggs. Then, they hop off. After that, their eggs are left on your pet to multiply.

Check for fleas if your dog is itching after a walk. They may look like tiny black spots moving around. If a whole clan of fleas is present, ‘flea dirt’ can be seen. Those dirt particles are waste from dried blood or even eggs from the fleas.

Regularly brushing your dog will allow you to find out whether your pet has fleas or not. Scan his back, ears, neck and chest. Do not forget his tail and belly, too. It is easier to see the fleas on the belly because there is less hair there. When fleas are present, give your dog a good bath and apply anti-fleas treatments. If your dog lives inside the house, you might want to get some insect repellent to spray inside the house. Do not fret when fleas arrive – a pet owner should be aware of it. It is as normal as a regular family affair and you can keep them under control.

9 thoughts on “How To Check Your Dog For Fleas”

    1. there are quite a few! Itch is probably the most common one. It can be due to dermatitis, fungus infection, fleas, midgets and other insects or allergic reaction. Then there are secondary infections that can set when the animals has sores that become infected with bacteria. It is always wise to check your pet’s skin regularly, especially if he’s itching and scratching.

  1. Dear web master
    I came to know of your site while I was scouting through the warrior forum. I currently have a problem with my dog scratching all the time around his neck, thus needed to do some research.I like your checklist to determine whether it is fleas and was totally unaware of the fact that fleas can carry tapeworm. Upon closer examination of my dog; I do not see any evidence of fleas; but rather scaly patches of skin around his collar line . Do you have any information on bacterial infections that could affect your dogs skin and how to treat them?
    thankyou
    Guy Jones

    1. Thank you for your question Guy and for visiting the blog.
      Does your dog wear a collar and if yes, what material is it made of please? It is possible he has an allergy to the collar itself. Does he scratch anywhere else? Are the scaly patches red or are they just like big dandruffs?
      There are many types of skin infections and without seeing what it looks like, it is a bit difficult.
      The first thing you could do is to remove any collars he may be wearing.
      Then give him a bath with a very gentle dog shampoo – one without soap. As you wash your dog, take notice of any little black spots that may float in the water, if any. These may be flea eggs. However, if he does not itch anywhere else, I doubt he would have any as you have checked yourself.
      If you can, purchase some true lavender essential oil from an aromatherapy shop (not from the supermarket). Then mix 4 drops of essential oil in 2 tablespoon of olive oil, preferably cold pressed. Massage the blend on the affected areas. Lavender oil is antifungal, antibacterial and analgesic. You can repeat the massage daily.
      If it does not improve within a few days, you should take him to a vet who will be able to do a swab to determine the ailment. He may prescribe some medication for him.
      I hope this helps. Please let us know how he goes.

  2. I am very conscious when it come to my dog care. Having them with no fleas in their is one of my goal in life. Thanks for sharing way and some tips to eliminate this parasites. Be back for more advices.

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