If you own a dog or two, you and other dog owners are most likely dealing with the same nightmare: flea and tick infestation. You may be feeding your puppy the greatest pet food, allowing them to lie in your bed, and lavishing them with toys and treats, but if you aren’t paying attention, they can bring nasty stowaways with them who bite and spread diseases.
These parasites are highly annoying, and they can be difficult to detect, especially if you’re a first-time dog owner who has never dealt with a flea or tick infestation. Don’t be concerned! Everything you need to know about fleas, ticks, and how to get rid of them permanently is right here!
Table of Contents
Fleas
Fleas are wingless, jumping insects with six legs. Fleas prefer to stay put, despite the fact that they may readily travel from one host to another.
They also have powerful claws that keep them from being brushed away.
A flea can live for up to three months on a dog.
Fleas reproduce quickly, making them more likely to infest your house if left untreated. They can also carry diseases like tapeworm and bartonellosis to your dog. Not to mention the allergies and the constant itchiness!
Ticks
Ticks have eight legs and like little spiders. They are larger than fleas, measuring 14 to 18 inches in length. Ticks can’t jump as well as fleas, but they can jump from one host to another, including humans!
Their bites are short-lived, but they can wreck havoc on your immune system by spreading serious diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans and dogs. Ticks are active all year, although they are most active during the months of spring and fall.
How to check your dog for fleas?
There are a few of clear signs that your dog is infested with fleas. These are some of them:
Excessive scratching or chewing
Flea bites are painful and itchy, and the skin around them can become infected. When fleas get on your pet and start feeding, they’ll likely hang out in hard-to-reach areas like the head, neck, armpits, groin, and tail. Your dog will scratch or chew him- as a result of this painful experience. If this type of behavior becomes more common than usual, you should check your pet for fleas.
Hair loss
As a result of flea bites, your dog’s hair may fall out in some areas. Because of the continual licking or biting of painful areas, your pet may tear out some of its fur on its own.
Red bumps and patches
Flea bite saliva can cause an allergic reaction in certain dogs, resulting in rashes or sores. It can also spread outside of the body parts that have been bitten.
Flea bites are much smaller than insect bites, which makes them difficult to detect. Small, red, raised bumps, on the other hand, should be looked for. If fleas jumped off your dog and bit you in quest of new, fresh blood, you can see them on your own skin.
Pale gums
Take a look inside your dog’s mouth! If your dog’s gums are pale, this could be an indication of anemia. Blood loss from flea bites is most likely to be responsible.
Dirt from fleas
A flea comb and soapy water are required. Brush your dog’s coat gently, employing light pressure and ensuring that the comb remains in contact with the skin throughout the stroke. Inspect the comb for fleas and flea filth on a regular basis. Observe the little black flecks after cleaning the comb in soapy water. It’s just dirt if they stay black. If they turn red, though, you know your dog is infested. Flea soil includes dried blood that, when exposed to water, becomes liquid again.
Live fleas
To begin, you can split your dog’s fur and inspect its skin for adult fleas. They can be found almost anywhere, although they’re most commonly found on the stomach, tail base, and behind the ears. You can also place a white towel on the ground and have your dog stand on it. Brush its coat after that. If there are any fleas on your dog, the brushing will upset them, causing them to jump off. As they land on your white towel, you’ll be able to see them.
How to tell whether your dog is infested with ticks.
How to check if your dog has ticks
Ticks are dark in color and come in a variety of sizes depending on their age. Ticks might be difficult to see due to their dark appearance.
Begin at your dog’s head and work your way down the body of your dog, using your fingers as a comb. Any minor lumps or bumps should be examined. Pay special care to hard-to-reach areas of your pet’s body:
- Under the collar
- Between the toes
- Around the groin
- In and behind the ears
- Under the tail.
Ticks become larger and darker as they suck more blood, making them easier to spot.
Tick bites can also cause fever, unexplained scabs, and head shaking. If you find a tick in your house, such as on the floor, carpets, bedsheets, or furniture, don’t accept it as an accident; instead, examine your dog more closely.
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