Checking for Fleas
June 2, 2009 by Paris and John
Filed under Tips
It’s that time of the year again. With summer’s fun…come summer’s fleas.
You may think that your dog is remaining flea-free but conduct frequent flea checks just to be sure. Fleas can be notoriously difficult to spot, especially in some dog’s hair. Some dogs are stoic about scratching so you won’t have a clue they’re being bitten. And while your dog may be flea-free indoors, every time you take him for a walk outside, he’s at risk of picking up a few hitchhikers!
First, ask yourself if your dog has more odor than usual. Even a short time after a bath, are you smelling a dog odor? Does the hair seem clean? Flea dropping can quickly create an odor on your dog. Small black speckles of “flea dirt” are a tell-tale sign of fleas.
Second, brush your dog’s hair and work out any tangles. Now you’ll be able to part the hair and more easily check for fleas or flea dirt. Check his back, ears, along his neck and torso, and his stomach. Beneath his collar on his throat and the base of the tail are two favorite flea hangouts. If you dog has especially short, straight hair, you can use a cat flea comb to comb through his hair, picking up any fleas along the way.
Once you do see fleas, it’s time to put flea plans into action, whether that means natural remedies like rosemary baths and brewer’s yeast or veterinary assistance in the form of spot treatments that prevent fleas all month.
Don’t panic when the flea comes for a visit – every dog lover will encounter this problem at one point or another. It’s just another part of summer!
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