5 Signs Your Dog Might Have Fleas Right Now

Fleas are sneaky. By the time you spot one on your dog, there is a good chance many more are already hiding in your carpet, furniture, and bedding. Summer is peak flea season, so knowing the warning signs matters.

You can easily check your pup and make sure it is flea-free. Here is what to watch for:

• Intense or frantic scratching. Flea bites are miserable. If your dog is suddenly scratching nonstop, especially around the neck, lower back, or base of the tail. That is the first place to look.
• Excessive grooming or hair loss. Dogs try to groom fleas away. All that licking and chewing can lead to bald patches or small raw spots called hot spots.
• Tiny dark specks on their fur or bedding. Flea dirt looks like ground pepper. Put some on a damp paper towel. If it turns red, that is a sure sign of fleas.
• Restlessness or a change in personality. A dog dealing with constant itching often becomes edgy, agitated, or unusually withdrawn. Behavior changes can be an early clue before you ever see a flea.
• What looks like rice grains near their tail or in their bedding. These can be tapeworm egg packets. Tapeworms are commonly spread through fleas. If you are seeing this, contact your vet promptly. It is better to take this seriously, because otherwise your pup might have some serious issues in the future.

The good news is that with the right flea prevention in place, most of this is completely avoidable. Talk to your vet about what works best for your dog’s age, size, and lifestyle.