Mary Allen
You can quickly and easily tell whether your dog has fleas.
If your dog suddenly keeps scratching and licking itself, alarm bells should be ringing. Pustules and inflammation on the dog’s skin can also indicate flea bites.
However, adult fleas are not always directly visible in the dog’s fur. The little beasts are clever and don’t stay on their host all the time.
But fortunately, there is a very simple way to identify a flea infestation.
The rapid flea test with paper and water
Place a white cloth or sheet of paper under the dog. Then brush the dog with a comb that is as fine as possible. Dark debris will fall from the fur.
When you’re done, spray those dark parts with a little water. If the particles turn red, it is flea droppings.
Fleas suck blood and excrete the undigested hemoglobin it contains. The blood pigment turns the water red again. So, you can notice fleas indirectly through this.
Flea allergy in dogs
Flea allergy is the form of allergy that can be observed most frequently in dogs.
Dogs are not allergic to the fleas themselves, but their saliva.
Fleas are unpleasant parasites
Fleas are insects. They don’t have wings but use their strong hind legs to move around. They can jump very far with it.
The flea body is surrounded by a pressure-resistant chitin shell. Dog fleas (lat. Ctenocephalides canis ) are between two and four millimeters in size. Both sexes feed on the blood of the host, i.e. the dog.
Fleas are in season from May to December. If fleas are not consistently controlled, they can become a year-round problem and infest more and more animals.
Fleas are also considered to be carriers of tapeworms. In the case of very young, old, or weakened small animals, a massive flea infestation can even lead to death.
For all of these reasons, you must identify and treat a potential flea infestation immediately.
What can you do about dog fleas?
If the suspicion of fleas is confirmed, it is important to act quickly.
Fleas multiply relatively quickly and soon not only the dog is affected. Flea eggs can soon be found all over your home.
You must therefore combat the pests very extensively. First and foremost, the dog must be treated.
It is advisable to bathe your four-legged friend first.
The purpose of the shampoo is to remove flea eggs and larvae from the dog’s fur and soothe the itching.
Shampoo, fogger, flea powder, or environmental sprays
After the bath, you should use prophylaxis immediately.
You should avoid flea powder if possible. The fine powder irritates the dog’s sensitive nose.
If the flea infestation is already very advanced and your dog is already weakened, you have to see a veterinarian.
What does a flea infestation look like?
The next step concerns the dog’s environment. You must vacuum and damp-wipe all surfaces and floors in the living room.
Carpets also need to be vacuumed well. After vacuuming, remove the dust bag immediately or clean the device thoroughly.
Dog blankets, beds, upholstery, and any dog clothes should be washed at least 60 degrees. Special agents are commercially available that can also be used to disinfect textiles.
Ambient sprays or so-called foggers can free the living space from any remaining pests.
If you want to be on the safe side, deworm your animal as a precaution. to avoid the risk of transmission of the tapeworm.
How long does it take for dog fleas to go away?
Parasites are every dog owner’s nightmare. The best thing to do is prevent yourself, so you can avoid the unpleasant procedure in the event of a flea infestation.
You should use spot-on preparations or bug collars regularly. They are easy to use and ensure that the annoying fleas do not even take hold of their host.
The entire procedure can take several weeks. If you don’t catch all the eggs and fleas at once, you have to repeat all the steps several times.
Can the dog flea be transmitted to humans?
As annoying vermin, they attack our four-legged friends and also transmit serious diseases. They are called fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, or worms.
However, the flea is particularly unpleasant. But fleas are usually not immediately recognized and occasionally do not stop at people.
It is therefore important that you know how to quickly recognize whether your dog has been infected by the unpleasant companions. So you can get rid of them as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do fleas nest on dogs?
The multiplication of fleas takes place in the coat of the infected dog, as does the laying of eggs. The eggs, also known as “nits”, either remain on the dog or fall down and thus disperse in the surrounding area. After some time, the larvae hatch, some of which feed on the feces of the parent animals.
Where do fleas breed?
Fleas: how fast do they multiply? After a blood meal, adult females lay up to 50 eggs per day in the fur, clothing, and surroundings of their hosts. Flea eggs are about 0.5 millimeters in size, white, do not stick, and are distributed in the environment.
What is the best way to get rid of fleas on dogs?
coconut oil. Garlic, salt, and diatomaceous earth are suitable for naturally controlling fleas, especially on infested textiles and furniture. For this purpose, they are generously applied to the affected areas in the household and vacuumed off again after one or two days together with the dead parasites and their eggs.
How long does it take for dog fleas to go away?
Fleas live up to three months. Flea treatment should take a correspondingly long time to kill off all the animals that hatch from the eggs and pupae. Sometimes it happens that flea treatment was not successful.
Can a dog flea walk on humans?
Dog and cat fleas can also “visit” humans. They cannot reproduce, but leave unpleasantly itchy stings, which cause scratching and can then also become inflamed.
Can a flea get from person to person?
The risk of spreading fleas from person to person is very low. People are usually infected by their pets or by being in an infested environment.
How long can a flea survive on humans?
How long do fleas live? Fleas live a maximum of 1 ½ year, but this is very rare. As a rule, an adult flea can be expected to live for 4-6 weeks.
How quickly do fleas die after treatment?
How to properly fight fleas on animals
The active ingredient kills almost all fleas on dogs or cats within 24 hours after application. In addition, it is usually effective for up to four weeks and any flea that later jumps on the animal and bites it also dies.