Left untreated, fleas can multiply rapidly and make your dog seriously ill. That's why it's important to check your dog for fleas on a regular basis and act quickly to eliminate any outbreaks that occur. Some dogs are severely allergic to flea saliva and can experience extreme discomfort even from a single flea bite.
On occasion you may actually see tiny brown fleas moving quickly through your dog's haircoat. Your dog's constant scratching may lead to visible patches of hair loss and reddened, irritated skin. Fleas may also cause skin allergies and can transmit other parasites, such as tapeworms, to your dog.
When fleas feed, they inject a small amount of saliva into the skin. It is the antigens or proteins in the saliva that cause an intensely itchy response to sensitive dogs. "A single fleabite can cause itching for days."
Just lukewarm water, or water and a mild soap, can help get fleas off your pet's fur and skin. If you're thinking about using a flea shampoo or something similar, talk to your veterinarian first. If your pet is allergic to fleas (your vet may call it flea allergy dermatitis), its skin might be especially sensitive.
Fleas can carry and transmit several potential illnesses of importance to humans, including typhus and plague, and can transmit “cat scratch disease” (infection with Bartonella) among cats who can then spread the disease to humans.
Fleas mainly feed on non-human animals but can bite and infect humans. They can be difficult to remove from the home and can survive for more than 100 days without a host. Bites from fleas can trigger allergic reactions, but they will not often have a serious impact on a person's health.
Common Flea Symptoms
- Excessive scratching, itching, biting, licking.
- Loss of hair: Primarily over the lower back, tail and rear leg region.
- Fleas Bites.
- Scabs.
- Abnormal red patches of skin.
- Small bumps around body or neck area.
- Yeast and bacterial infections.
- Skin Infections.
Fortunately, there are a handful of homemade flea remedies you can try to help prevent and get rid of fleas.
- Dish soap. This home flea remedy involves creating a flea trap using dish soap and some water.
- Herbal flea spray.
- Baking soda.
- Salt.
- Lemon spray.
- Diatomaceous earth.
- Rosemary.
- Flea repelling plants.
It can lead to severe scratching and chewing that causes hair loss, inflammation and secondary skin infections. Some pets can be hypersensitive to the flea's saliva and will itch all over from the bite of even a single flea.
Just One Flea Can Be a Sign of a ProblemAs few as 20 fleas might mean your pet is infested, while the most could be between 200 to 300. Ignoring a few fleas can quickly lead to an infestation on your dog and in your home,2 because two adult fleas could lead to hundreds of eggs and pupae.
However, in severe cases, flea infestations can also cause anemia in young puppies, which can potentially have fatal consequences. With this in mind, protecting your dog against fleas is about a whole lot more than just stopping an itch.
Not all symptoms of fleas on dogs are physical—a flea infestation can make dogs act differently, too. Sometimes dogs can be cranky, restless or just plain acting odd, Grimmett says.
Flea dirt resembles little black pepper-like specks that are typically roundish in shape. You can spot flea dirt within the fur or on the skin of your dog or cat. Run a flea comb, or your fingers, against the direction your pet's hair grows to part the hair and better reveal flea dirt—or the actual fleas themselves.
What does flea allergy dermatitis look like? The skin condition looks a bit different in dogs and cats. Dogs tend to show hair loss, skin thickening, redness, and sometimes “hotspots” over the rump and tail head. The dermatitis may extend to their thighs and abdominal area.
In addition to fleas, another cause of intense scratching could be mites. These parasites can lead to a skin condition known as 'sarcoptic mange'. Mange is incredibly uncomfortable, and it is zoonotic, meaning it can be passed from animal to human.
Some dogs are sensitive to such topical medications and can develop allergies to these products. Another form of flea treatment is an ingestible pill. If you give your dog one of these treatments and then he develops allergy-like symptoms or begins to act abnormally in any way, contact your veterinarian.
50/50 Apple Cider Vinegar Water Spray
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural, safe relief for especially dry, itchy skin.
- To avoid getting vinegar in any open cuts, fill a spray bottle with 50% water and 50% ACV to target affected areas.
Symptoms of Dog Flea Allergies:
- Itching and scratching: Like all parasites, fleas depend upon a host animal for their survival - in this case, your dog's blood.
- Red pimples or bumps: These symptoms may appear on your dog's groin or belly, under the legs, at the base of her tail or on her behind (rump).
Affected animals develop allergic reactions to chemicals in flea saliva. Symptoms of this reaction include erythema (redness), papules (bumps), pustules (pus-filled bumps), and crusts (scabs). If severe, hair loss will occur in the affected area.
Fleas are not usually found infesting a homeowner's beds and bedding. The more likely situation is that flea eggs, larvae and pupae are living under the bed or, even more likely, are living in the bed and bedding of the household pet(s).
According to Dr. Richter, dog shampoos containing oat proteins, aloe or tea tree oil can also be helpful for itching. Vet's Best flea itch relief shampoo and TropiClean flea and tick bite natural after bath treatment are good examples, as they contain ultra-soothing medicated ingredients that can provide relief.
Home remedies to soothe or relieve itching from flea bites include ice packs, Aloe Vera, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, tea tree oil, and used tea bags. Prevent flea bites by keeping your pets and home free of fleas.
Fleas bite whenever they get the chance. Bed bugs tend to feed every 3 days and may be more likely to feed at night.
They're parasites, meaning they feed on other animals. Some fleas prefer dogs, while others are partial to cats. But if they're hungry, most fleas will feed on any warm-blooded animal -- including you. Fleabites are usually itchy.
Signs of fleas in your bedding include tiny black specks that are sometimes called "flea dirt." These are flea excrement; if you sprinkle them with a little water, they'll turn a dark-reddish brown. Another sign that fleas have invaded your bed are flea bites on your body.
How can I keep fleas off me?
- Wear long pants tucked into socks.
- Spray flea repellent onto clothing or skin.
- Launder clothing and bedding.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture and carpets.
What are the symptoms of mite bites?
- red, rash-like marks on your skin.
- small bumps that can become hard or inflamed.
- irritation, itching, and pain near the mark, rash, or bump.
- swollen or blistered skin near the bite.
Part your dog's fur with your fingers to expose the skin. If fleas are present, you may notice the following signs: The skin may look red and bumpy, especially if your dog has been scratching. You may see tiny adult fleas that scurry away quickly or even jump.
