Fleas: What Dog Owners Need To Know

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 5
5 min read

No one likes the idea of fleas. Those tiny, fast-moving pests can make life miserable for your dog and you!

Fleas are incredibly common, and we see them frequently when we pull dogs from shelters. Fortunately, you can get rid of them!

Whether you're dealing with a current flea infestation or just trying to prevent one, this guide breaks down what you need to know.

What Are Fleas?

According to the CDC, fleas are small insects that survive by feeding on the blood of people and animals. There are more than 300 types of fleas in the United States alone.

Fleas can be a problem because they multiply fast. Cornell University reports that a female flea can lay up to 40 eggs per day.

What Is the Prognosis for Dogs With Fleas?

If your dog has fleas, don’t worry! Almost all dogs make a full recovery.

How Common Are Fleas?

According to Cornell University, fleas are the most common external parasite in dogs.

What's more is that PetCareRX cites the AKC as saying that almost every dog will get a flea infestation at some point during their life.

Learn More: Common Medical Issues Your Shelter Dog May Come Home With

How Are Fleas Diagnosed?

You’ll likely be the one to figure out your pup has fleas. You may notice them itching or biting at themselves more than normal. Then, when you go to see what they are itching or biting at, you’ll likely find a flea running on them.

You may also notice flea dirt on your pup. This looks like pepper or little black flecks on your dog’s skin or fur.

If you aren’t sure whether or not your dog has fleas, a quick consult with your vet can help you get a diagnosis.

Learn More: How To Choose a Veterinarian

How (And Where) Do Dogs Get Fleas?

Your dog can get fleas from other animals or the environment. Fleas can jump up to 13 inches, allowing them to easily make their way into your pup’s fur.

Places your dog might get fleas include:

Dog parks and kennels
Grass
Other animals (including pets and wildlife)
Your backyard
Your home (if fleas hitch a ride inside on your clothing or shoes)

Learn More: Dog Parks 101

What Are the Symptoms of Fleas in Dogs?

You may notice the following symptoms if your dog has fleas:

Agitation or restlessness
Excessive scratching or biting
Flea dirt
Hair loss
Hot spots or red, inflamed skin
Visible fleas on your dog

Learn More: At-Home Dog Health Checks

What Health Issues Can Fleas Cause in Dogs?

Fleas are more than just a nuisance. Fleas can cause real health problems, including:

Anemia: Especially in small or young dogs, a heavy flea infestation can lead to life-threatening blood loss.
Bartonella infection: Dogs can get infected by this dangerous bacteria from fleas, which can result in issues ranging from coughing and fever to spleen swelling and seizures.
Dermatitis: This is an allergic reaction that may cause severe itching and secondary infections.
Tapeworms: If your dog swallows an infected flea, they can end up with tapeworms.

How Are Fleas Treated?

Treating fleas requires a three-pronged approach:

Treat your dog: Your vet may recommend oral or topical flea medications to get rid of fleas.
Treat your home: Wash all bedding, vacuum daily, and consider using pet-safe sprays or insecticides to kill fleas in your home.
Treat your yard: Outdoor treatment with insect growth regulators every two to three weeks for three to five applications may be necessary, especially in warmer seasons.

Using a monthly medication year-round is often the best strategy to keep fleas at bay.

How Long Do Fleas Last?

Most fleas have a lifecycle of three to eight weeks. However, this range can vary depending on if they have a host. Adult fleas cannot live for more than a couple of weeks without a blood meal.

If you are dealing with fleas, it's critical to treat not only your pets but also your home. Even if you kill adult fleas, eggs or larvae may still be present in the environment, which can hatch and create a vicious cycle of re-infestation.

Are Fleas Deadly?

In most scenarios, no. Most healthy adult dogs will recover from fleas with no issues.

However, massive flea infestations can cause life-threatening anemia, particularly in puppies.

Additionally, fleas can also carry Bartonella, which can be deadly if the infection is severe enough.

Are Fleas Contagious To Other Dogs?

Unfortunately, yes. Fleas can spread easily to other pets, including dogs and cats. That’s why vets usually recommend treating all animals in the home at the same time, not just the one who seems itchy.

Are Fleas Contagious To People?

No, but they can affect people.

Fleas cannot live on humans, but they will bite your skin if they need to feed. This can result in itchy bumps. So, it is possible for your dog’s flea infestation to impact you.

How Can I Protect My Dog from Getting Fleas?

The best offense is a good defense. To keep your dog (and home) flea-free:

Check for fleas after visits to dog parks or boarding facilities
Keep your yard tidy by trimming grass and removing leaf litter
Use preventatives on all pets in your home, even if they are indoor-only
Vacuum regularly
Wash pet bedding (and your bedding) weekly

Flea prevention is much easier than treatment, so staying ahead of the problem is key.

What Are My Dog's Options for Flea Preventatives?

When it comes to flea preventatives, you have options. Depending on what you are comfortable giving your dog and what your veterinarian recommends, you’ll want to use one of the following:

Preventative Type	Overview	Usage	Effectiveness	Popular Brands
Collars	Flea collars slowly release anti-parasitic medication onto your dog’s skin over time to repel and kill fleas.	Up to eight months	PetMD reports that flea collars can be as effective as oral or topical medications.	Seresto
Oral	These are chewable tablets or pills. They work systematically to kill fleas after they bite your dog.	Monthly	Hill’s reports that oral preventatives are up to 99% effective.	Bravecto, NexGuard, Simparica
Topical	These are liquids that are applied to your dog’s skin, normally between the shoulder blades.	Monthly	Hill’s reports that topical preventatives are up to 88.4% effective.	Advantage, Advantix, Frontline Plus, Revolution

In addition to using preventatives, you can do the following to remove fleas from your home and yard to help give the preventatives some extra support:

Diatomaceous earth for carpets and pet bedding
Essential oil sprays (but use caution because some oils are toxic to dogs)
Regular vacuuming and washing of bedding
Yard treatments with pet-safe insect growth regulators

Learn More: What Dog Owners Need To Know About Ticks

Final Thoughts

Fleas are tiny, but they can cause huge problems. With a proactive approach and a bit of know-how, you can keep your dog itch-free and protected all year long.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as professional medical advice. It is based on personal experience and online research. Please consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's health.