Fleas on dogs: how to spot them (and banish them for good)

Updated 19/09/2023

Fleas on dogs: the one thing no pet parent wants to see. At best, dog fleas give us pet parents a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. At worst? A flea infestation can quickly invade your home, take months to get rid of, and leave you with a poorly and distressed pet to boot.

Not only do these horrible hitchhikers make our dog’s lives truly miserable, they can lead to much nastier ailments - allergies, anaemia… they can even transmit tapeworms.

Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about these itchy infiltrators, how to kill fleas on dogs, and most importantly, how to banish the bloodsuckers for good. 

Fleas? Your days are numbered…

What are fleas?

In short, fleas are tiny, ‘ectoparasitic’ insects. They survive by feeding off the blood of their hosts - dogs, cats, humans, you name it. They certainly aren’t fussy eaters, by any means.

While fleas are flightless insects, they have excellent jumping abilities and can leap about 200 times their own body length - that'll give even the best Olympic athletes a run for their money. Jumping from host to host is essentially how fleas spread - we’ll delve into that a bit more later on. 

What causes fleas on dogs?

The most simple answer to ‘how do dogs get fleas?’, is your dog by coming into contact with an infected animal or environment.

Fleas can - and will - hop on to your pet from almost anywhere - your local park, another animal, even your own backyard. So, while some people mistakenly believe that fleas are attracted to dirty environments, that’s not always the case. 

Once a flea has jumped onto your dog and hitchhiked its way into your abode, it doesn’t take long for them to lay eggs and for a flea infestation to begin. *shudders* Are you feeling itchy yet? 

What do fleas look like to the human eye?

Even seen a photo of a flea under a microscope? It’s not pretty. In fact, it looks like something Wes Craven himself dreamt up. 

Luckily, to the human eye, fleas look a little less monstrous... They’re small - around 2-4mm in length - oval-shaped, and with a hard shell that is typically dark brown or reddish-brown in colour.

How to spot fleas on your dog

Often, the best way to spot fleas on your pet is simply to look for them. 

Comb your dog using a flea comb, paying particular attention to the ears, neck and base of the tail - this is where fleas most like to burrow and infest. It’s best to groom your dog regularly - in this way, you’ll be more likely to spot fleas.

Even if you don't catch a flea in the act, you should be able to spot their droppings - this is known as 'flea dirt' but is in actual fact, flea feces, and will look like small black specks scattered across Fido's fur.  

Flea infestations only get worse with time, so it’s important to act quickly to eradicate the bothersome little blood suckers…

Flea symptoms

Other than physically spotting fleas or flea dirt on your canine pal, there are a couple more telltale signs to lookout for when it comes to these pesky little critters. The main signs of fleas on dogs include: 

• Severe itching or biting at the skin (particularly at the base of the tail)
• Visible flea bites on dogs - these appear as tiny, red, raised dots 
• Red, irritated skin
• Scabs
• Hair loss

You may also notice flea bites (small, itchy red dots) on yourself, particularly around your feet, ankles or shins. Flea bites on humans often appear in groups of 3-4 bites, and may have a discoloured ring or halo around the bite. 

What to do if my dog has fleas? Flea prevention and treatment for dogs

When it comes to treating fleas on dogs, the best approach is prevention - not cure. A regular flea treatment will not only kill all adult fleas and eggs, it’ll also help to halt the flea life cycle and keep your pooch free of fleas from then on in - providing you use it regularly and as instructed, of course. You can also treat your pets using flea shampoos. Consult your vet on the best preventatives to use for your dog.

Of course, that alone doesn’t help if you’re already in the midst of a flea-ridden nightmare. A flea infestation needs to be treated ruthlessly: fleas are stubborn, they breed incredibly quickly, and will lurk in corners of your home you haven't thought about for ages. So, a combined approach - treating both your pet and home - is needed to fully get on top of the situation.

Trusted tip: as fleas will happily hop from one pet to another, if you live in a multi-pet household, you’ll need to treat all of your pets at the same time.

How to get fleas out of your home 

Now, we don’t want to freak you out, but if you spot a flea on your dog, they are definitely in your home. They can quickly multiply, too - and in the wise words of Danny Zuko, we’re getting serious chills.

Part of knowing how to get rid of fleas on dogs includes knowing how to banish them from your abode. Here’s how to tackle it: 

1. First things first, give your home a serious vacuum. This includes all the forgotten corners, skirting boards - even your sofa and mattress (trust us, these fleas will burrow anywhere). Better yet, if you have a steam cleaner, run this over your carpets and upholstery.
   
   Once you're done, remember to empty your vacuum bag. 
2. Next, you'll want to wash your upholstery on a hot water wash - think 60 degrees, minimum. Don't forget to wash things like cushions, blankets or pet bedding. 
3. Use a household spray. Did you know that 95% of the fleas present aren't even on your pet - they're in your home? Yep. That’s why treating the home (as well as your pet) is so important.
   
   Most household sprays work by killing active adult fleas, as well killing any subsequent fleas for a few weeks after. 
   
   Remember, never use a household flea spray directly on your pet and make sure they're well out of the way when you are spraying your home. This includes dogs and cats as well as fish, birds, and the like.  Likewise, ​​ALWAYS wait until all treated surfaces have dried before letting your pets back into the treated area. Be sure to follow the instructions on the spray labels, too.
4. Got a garden? While your home is getting a Flea MOT, mow your lawn and rake away any leaves or debris. 
   
   You can also lay cedar mulch - a natural flea repellent - or introduce nematodes in your garden. What are nematodes? Fabulous question, reader! Nematodes are tiny, microscopic worms that literally eat fleas - amongst other garden pests. Just don’t let your pets eat or lick the cedar mulch or the nematodes!

It can take several months to win the fight against fleas (even more severe flea infestation), so patience - and persistence - is key.

Home remedies for fleas

While the most effective and tried-and-tested method to get rid of fleas is to use an appropriate product (one containing an insect growth regulator) some pet owners prefer to take a more natural approach - in the way of home remedies for fleas on dogs. 

Here are a few home remedies that can aid in your fight against fleas:

• Vacuuming and steam cleaning: regular vacuuming and a steam clean can be a great addition to your flea killing toolkit. Just remember to empty your vacuum each and every time (because nobody wants a vacuum full of hatching fleas, right?)
• Cedar chips: apparently, fleas can’t stand cedar chips - who knew? So, spreading cedar chips (or spraying cedar oil) around your home or garden could be effective in keeping those blood suckers at bay. Just keep your pets away from them!

Trusted tip: ​​before giving any of these at-home flea remedies a whirl, we recommend that you talk to your veterinarian, who will be able to advise on the best route to take to get rid of the little blighters. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Jnanee

This article has been checked by veterinarian Jnanee Krishnasamy, BVSc (Massey). Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at
Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!

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