What Do Fleas Look Like On Dogs?

Fleas are tiny parasites that can wreak havoc on your dog’s skin. Because they are so small, they can easily be mistaken for specks of dirt or other bugs, like ants, if you aren’t familiar with their appearance.  

Recognizing the signs of fleas is important so you can seek appropriate treatment to keep your dog safe from these parasites.  

If you’re not already using flea preventative for your dog, you’ll want to start—but still keep an eye out for signs of these pesky pests. Flea preventatives, like Credelio Quattro, are great for preventing infestation, but from time to time your pup can still pick up a few fleas.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are only a couple of millimeters in size and range in color from brown to black. They are oval-shaped and have six legs.  

These tiny parasites crawl quickly through a dog’s fur and can be easily overlooked due to their small size and inconspicuous nature.  

Fleas typically jump onto dogs from other animals or from infested environments where your dog spends time. They can even jump onto people, but they don’t—and can’t—live on human skin. 

If your dog has fleas, they will also have flea dirt in their fur. Flea dirt is essentially digested blood mixed with feces. These tiny specks look like regular dirt, making it easy to mistake them for debris.  

Does My Dog Have Fleas?

Dogs with fleas can experience a range of symptoms—some of which can be quite uncomfortable—including: 

• Hair loss 

• Frequent itching 

• Red, irritated skin 

• Tiny skin bumps 

• Visible fleas or flea dirt in their fur  

• Decreased appetite  

• Lethargy  

You might also notice your dog chewing at their skin if they have fleas.  

Dry Skin or Fleas? 

It can be tricky to determine whether your dog has dry skin or fleas, especially if you don’t see any live fleas on them. However, there are distinct differences between the two conditions.  

Dry skin on dogs occurs due to a lack of moisture in the skin, environmental factors (like sun exposure), or frequent bathing.  

In contrast, fleas are parasites that dogs pick up from the environment or other animals. One key difference is that dry skin causes white flakes in a dog’s fur, while fleas leave behind black specks. Both conditions can cause itchiness and discomfort. 

How To Check Your Dog for Fleas

To check your dog for fleas, follow these simple steps:  

1. Keep a flea comb handy for quick and easy checks.  

2. Gently use the flea comb or a brush to sift through your dog’s fur, starting at their head and working toward their tail. Pay special attention to the base of the tail, as fleas often hide there.  

• If your dog has thick or easily tangled fur, a flea comb may be difficult to use. In this case, manually check by gently parting the fur near the skin to look for live fleas or flea dirt.  

• If you find fleas, bathe your dog with a flea shampoo to remove the fleas and cleanse their skin and fur.  

Treatment for Fleas on Dogs

If you find fleas or flea dirt on your dog, contact your veterinarian right away to determine the best course of treatment and prevent future infestations. Treatments your vet might recommend include:  

• Oral flea preventatives, such as Credelio Quattro (this specific flea and tick preventative also protects against heartworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms) 

• Fast-acting oral flea treatments, such as Capstar 

• Flea shampoos, such as Adams Plus 

• Topical flea preventatives, such as K9 Advantix II 

Additionally, since fleas can cause itchiness and discomfort, some veterinarians recommend additional treatments to keep your dog comfortable while the fleas are being eliminated. These might include:  

• Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine  

• Allergy injections, such as Cytopoint 

• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone 

• Anti-itch medications, such as Apoquel 

If there are other pets in the household, it’s important to check them all for fleas as well. Fleas can live in the environment for several months due to their complex life cycle. This means it is important to frequently wash all pet bedding and other linens your dog lies on. Vacuuming frequently to remove fleas is also essential in fully eliminating these pests from the environment.  

Dogs should be kept on year-round flea prevention to keep them protected from fleas. If an unprotected dog already has a flea infestation, it is important to start them on prevention right away by getting a prescription from your veterinarian.