Where Should You Look for Flea Dirt?
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.
“Usually, fleas prefer the back of your pet around his tail and up the center of the pet, as well as around the groin area and between the hind legs,” says Dr. Liff. “They will usually avoid the head and neck region, but not always.”
And sometimes you will see dirt and no fleas, she says. “This could mean that either the fleas have been eaten during grooming (more common in cats) or that the fleas have jumped off, but were once or recently present.” Fleas only spend a fraction of their life-cycle on pets, the rest of the time they are living in your yard or house.
You may also notice flea dirt around your house. Check your pet’s favorite spots for more evidence to determine if you will have to treat these areas along with your pet.
How To Treat Your Home for Flea Dirt
Clean, clean, clean. “All bedding should be washed, and carpets vacuumed several times to attempt to remove all the flea feces, eggs, and larvae,” Hall says.
Remember: fleas can complete their entire life cycle indoors. “Inside, the highest levels of these immature flea stages are often in the bedroom and the living room, and can be found in carpets and wood floors,” she adds. Also look in areas such as shaded regions outdoors with sand and/or organic material, which she says are preferred by the immature flea stages.
Comb Your Petâs Hair Using a Fine-Tooth Flea Comb
Fleas are tiny, fast, and difficult to grab. One way to remove them from your petâs fur is to use a flea comb. Dipping the comb in a mixture of water and dish soap will help to catch the insects, keeping them from jumping away. The teeth on a flea comb are spaced to trap fleas while they allow your petâs fur to pass through. Flea combs also help remove flea poop, sometimes called âflea dirtâ — dark brown or black specks that look like pepper flakes. The comb can also help to remove eggs from your petâs fur. Be sure to take special care while you comb around your petâs neck and tail areas. Thatâs where fleas tend to feed.Â
The little buggers are usually between the size of a poppy seed and a sesame seed, and theyre brown or reddish brown. If you see a flea on the flea comb, dunk the comb into hot, soapy water to kill the flea. Donât try to crush fleas. They jump quickly and can be hard to kill by hand.
So Much Flea Poop Major Transformation Rescue Dog Gets New Life
Fleas are common pests that affect dogs, cats, and their owners. These small insects feed on the blood of their host. While wingless, fleas can jump as far as 13 inches, nearly 200 times the length of their bodies.
Not only are fleas tiny, but theyâre also quick. You might not even know theyâre there at first. Some pets are more sensitive to the bites than others. The insectsâ saliva causes an allergic reaction, which leads to itchiness. You might notice your pet scratching more often. A closer look at your pet might show scabs, flea dirt, or what looks like salt and pepper in their bed.
Fleas donât affect only animals. They may also bite you, leaving itchy welts on your skin. Some may also transmit diseases such as typhus and plague. They can infect cats with âcat scratch disease,â which your cat can then pass to you. Some fleas may also pass tapeworms to animals and people.
If your dog or cat has fleas, medication is a must. Getting the bugs off your pet is important, too. It cuts down the number of itchy, irritating bites your pet gets — and helps keep fleas out of your home.
If you notice fleas on your pet or in your home, you should take care of the issue quickly. They multiply fast, and a few can turn into a serious infestation, causing problems for you and your pets.