Fleas and ticks are tiny, but the problems they can cause are anything but. From constant scratching and irritated skin to tick-borne illnesses, these common parasites can make your dog uncomfortable and, in some cases, seriously sick.
And while fleas and ticks are often associated with summer walks and time outdoors, they aren't necessarily a seasonal problem. Fleas can survive year-round when they have access to a warm animal, while ticks can be active throughout the year depending on the weather and region.
The good news? Regular checks and consistent prevention can go a long way toward keeping your dog protected.
When Are Fleas and Ticks Most Common?
Fleas love warmth and humidity, making them especially common during the warmer months. In the United States, flea activity tends to increase during spring and summer, although fleas can survive indoors year-round if they have an animal to feed on.
Ticks are also more active during warmer weather, with many species most active from spring through early fall. However, tick exposure isn't limited to summer. Depending on the species and local temperatures, ticks can be active throughout the year.
Dogs can pick up ticks in more places than you might expect, too. Wooded trails, tall grass, brush, shrubs, and even your own backyard can provide opportunities for a tick to hitch a ride.
That's why flea and tick prevention shouldn't necessarily be something you think about only when the weather gets warm.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Fleas?
Fleas are small, fast-moving, and easy to miss. You might not actually see a flea before your dog starts showing signs of an infestation.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Frequent scratching or biting at the skin
- Excessive licking or chewing of the coat
- Red or irritated skin
- Small scabs or sores
- Hair loss from persistent scratching
- Restlessness
- Small black specks in the fur, sometimes called "flea dirt"
Flea dirt is essentially flea droppings and can be one of the first clues that fleas are present. Fleas are usually dark brown and about the size of a sesame seed, which makes them particularly difficult to spot in thick or dark coats.
If you suspect fleas, try running a flea comb through your dog's coat, paying particular attention to areas around the neck, face, belly, and base of the tail.
How Can You Spot a Tick on Your Dog?
Ticks are often easier to feel than see. When checking your dog, run your fingers slowly through the fur and look for small bumps attached to the skin.
Pay special attention to:
- Inside and around the ears
- Around the eyes and eyelids
- Under the collar
- Under the front legs
- Between the back legs
- Between the toes
- Around the tail
It's especially important to check your dog after walks, hikes, camping trips, or time spent in grassy, wooded, or brushy areas.
A tick can be incredibly small, particularly before it has fed. And because dogs can carry ticks into the house, checking your dog also helps protect the rest of your household.
What Should You Do If You Find a Tick?
Don't panic—and don't wait to remove it.
If you find an attached tick, use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick, and don't try to make it detach with petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat.
Once you've removed the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or an appropriate antiseptic.
It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your dog afterward. Tick-borne disease symptoms may not appear immediately, so contact your veterinarian if your dog develops changes in behavior, appetite, or other signs of illness after a tick bite.
And if your dog has been outside, don't forget to check yourself, too. Ticks can travel from pets into the home and eventually attach to people.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Has Fleas?
Finding one flea doesn't always mean there's only one flea.
Fleas have a complicated life cycle, and eggs and immature fleas can remain in the environment even after adult fleas have been removed from your dog. That's why treating the dog alone may not be enough for an established infestation.
Start by talking to your veterinarian about an appropriate flea treatment. Depending on your dog's needs, prevention and treatment may include oral medications, topical treatments, collars, shampoos, or other veterinarian-recommended products.
You'll also need to tackle the environment. Wash pet bedding and regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture, and other areas where your dog spends time. For more significant infestations, your veterinarian or a pest-control professional may recommend additional treatment for the home or yard.
Because fleas can continue emerging from different stages of their life cycle, follow-up treatment and continued cleaning may be necessary.
How Can You Prevent Fleas and Ticks?
The easiest parasite problem to deal with is the one you prevent in the first place.
Talk to your veterinarian about a flea and tick prevention plan that's appropriate for your dog's age, lifestyle, health, and environment. Preventive options include oral medications, topical treatments, and collars, among others. There isn't one product that's right for every dog.
Regular checks are just as important. Make it a habit to quickly inspect your dog's coat after outdoor adventures, especially during warmer months or after visiting wooded and grassy areas.
You can also make your yard less inviting to ticks and fleas by keeping grass short, clearing away brush and leaf litter, and avoiding excessively damp or shaded areas where fleas and ticks may thrive.
Most importantly, don't stop prevention simply because you haven't seen a flea or tick lately. Consistent protection is what helps break the cycle before an infestation or tick bite becomes a bigger problem.
When Should You Call the Vet?
If your dog is excessively scratching, developing sores, losing hair, acting unusually tired, eating less, or showing other changes after a suspected flea or tick exposure, it's worth contacting your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can determine whether your dog has fleas or ticks, check for complications, and recommend the safest treatment and prevention plan.
Fleas and ticks may be small, but staying aware of them doesn't have to be complicated. A few minutes of checking your dog's coat, keeping up with preventative care, and knowing what to do when you find a parasite can make a big difference in keeping your dog comfortable and healthy.