Fleas on dogs

Few other parasites are as abundant, annoying, or as difficult to control as the common flea. With such a massive population of fleas in the environment, and the adventurous nature of kiwi pets and pet owners, it’s no wonder that the humble flea is the source of so many problems. But protecting your pet, your family and your home is easy thanks to monthly treatment from NEXGARD brand products.

Fleas are more than just a nuisance. You can see how distressing the itching can be, but fleas can also cause skin problems and even transmit disease.

Fleas not only live on your dog, but in their environment too – their bedding, the carpet… but the bigger problem lies in the garden, parks, beaches and anywhere you go on adventures with your dog. If you want to get rid of fleas you need to kill the ones on your dog and those living in your home, and then protect your dog from new fleas that jump on when you are out exploring. Fleas aren’t just a problem in summer – to stay flea-free, you need to use flea control all year round.

NEXGARD brand products kill fleas fast, before they can lay eggs, all month long. Treating monthly provides optimum protection.

How To Spot Dog Fleas

Fleas on dogs and fleas on puppies are small and very quick moving, so it can be hard to spot them. To the human eye, fleas look like little dark red or brownish ovals. If you look closely, you can make out their legs underneath them. If you do spot a flea, be prepared for it to disappear suddenly as it crawls or jumps away.

Sometimes you may not see the fleas themselves, but you may see evidence of them in the form of ‘flea dirt’. Flea dirt is actually flea faeces, and it looks just like regular dirt. The way to tell the difference is to take some and put it on a wet tissue – flea dirt will stain the tissue red.

The flea lifecycle – break it to get rid of fleas

While you might not be surprised to find fleas on your dog, you may be surprised to learn that adult fleas (the ones you see) make up only about 5% of the total population. The remaining 95% (eggs, larvae and pupae) are found in carpets and bedding - in fact anywhere in your house! Each female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day so it doesn’t take long for an infestation to take hold. NEXGARD brand products kill adult fleas fast, before they can start to lay eggs, helping protect your dog and its environment.

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What do flea bites look like ?

Examine your dog's skin for indications of itching or inflammation. These could be the result of a flea infestation, but lots of other factors can cause skin problems in dogs, so it's advisable to seek your vet's guidance. Areas such as the belly, groin or the base of the tail are favourite spots for fleas, and their bites may appear as a red, uneven rash on dogs.

What Do Flea Eggs On A Dog Look Like?

As adult female fleas lay eggs, they drop off the dog, and into the surroundings. The eggs are quite tiny, light-coloured, and oval-shaped.
Though flea eggs are difficult to spot, you might notice them on your dog's bedding.
Flea larvae resemble tiny worms, featuring a white body and light-coloured hairs. Measuring around 2-5 mm in length, they inhabit the environment, such as deep within carpets, bedding, or crevices in the flooring.

What Does Flea Dirt Look Like?

Flea dirt is another name for flea poo. After biting and consuming the blood from your dog, the flea ‘poos’ just as all other animals do. If you find flea dirt on your dog you have a current flea problem that needs to be addressed. You can tell if it is flea dirt by putting some on damp white tissue – if it leaves a red stain, this is digested blood, and confirms it is flea dirt.

Dog Flea Symptoms

If your dog has or has had fleas, they may exhibit the following symptoms:

Persistent itching and scratching
Hair loss
Scabs or red patches, particularly on the belly, groin, or base of the tail

Skin Rash Caused by Fleas

Some dogs develop a skin rash from fleas due to an allergy to the saliva from the flea when the flea bites. This condition is called flea allergy dermatitis. A rash on the dog's belly, groin, or base of the tail is a common indication of a flea allergy.

There are no products that we can give our pets that repel fleas, so we have to protect them by making sure the flea lifecycle is broken and minimising the number of fleas our pets are exposed to. NEXGARD brand products kill fleas fast, before they can lay eggs, which is a crucial step in breaking the flea lifecycle to protect your pet, family, and home. Treat all pets in the household monthly for optimum flea control.