The Vets logo

It's flea season!

Fleas are the leading cause of skin illness in pets, causing anything from itching to weeping sores, and infection. 

Many flea-infested pets develop skin illnesses as a result of frequent scratching, and for others even one flea bite may trigger an auto-immune reaction.

How to know if your pet has fleas?

Here are 5 signs our veterinatians recommend watching out for:

Itching & Biting

Fleabites can cause irritation to pets, often making them scratch themselves so aggressively that it can have lasting effects on their health.

Red Pimples

Flea bite saliva can also be allergenic for some dogs and cats, causing rashes or lesions anywhere on the body.

Pale Gums

Pale gums are a common sign of anemia and can be an indication your pet has a serious case of flea infestation.

Flea Dirt

Also known as flea feces, “flea dirt” look like brownish-black dirt, that turns red under water.

Hair Loss

Hair loss can be a reaction to flea bites. Dogs or cats may also pull out their own hair due to the continuous biting or licking of the flea bite areas.

Itching and/or Biting

Fleas are very active insects, feeding on blood from pets and people. Fleabites can cause irritation to pets, often making them scratch themselves so aggressively that it can have lasting effects on their health.

Red Pimples or Bumps

Flea bite saliva can also be allergenic for some dogs and cats. Flea bite hypersensitivity can cause rashes or lesions anywhere on the body: belly, under the legs, at the base of their tail, or on their behind.

Hair Loss

Hair loss, or alopecia, can be due to several things, including a reaction to flea bites. Dogs or cats may also pull out some of their own hair due to the continuous biting or licking of the flea bite areas.

Flea Dirt

Also known as flea feces, “flea dirt” look like brownish-black dirt. If you are unsure whether it is real dirt or flea dirt, run it under water: If it turns red, then it’s flea dirt and you’ll have to treat it accordingly.

Pale Gums

Pale gums are a common sign of anemia and can be an indication your pet has a serious case of flea infestation.

Trick that may help you to search for flea dirt in the house

Place a white piece of paper on the floor next to or beneath your pet while coming through their hair. Flea dirt (flea feces) will fall off of the pet’s skin and land on the paper.

Check your environment

If your family pet has fleas, it’s likely that your yard and house will become a breeding ground. Acting quickly is key to preventing spread.

One trick that may help you to search for flea dirt in the house is to place a white piece of paper on the floor next to or beneath your pet while coming through their hair. Flea dirt (flea feces) will fall off of the pet’s skin and land on the paper.

Treatments

Treatment should begin as soon as possible as signs of fleas appear and should be repeated regularly.

Do you think your dog may have fleas? Prompt treatment is key. 

Our veterinarians can perform a skin test and help you choose the correct product for your pet and home

Our veterinarians will help you choose the correct product based on your pet’s age, breed, and health status.

Success!

Use the coupon code below to get $20 off your first visit.

The Vets

Contact us

Please allow for one business day for our team to reply.

Contact Us

Get Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive our latest updates, tips, and exclusive offers. No spam.

Selling/Sharing Preferences

In order to complete your request, please complete the following information. By submitting this request, you are asking us not to share your information with third-parties in exchange of anything of value. For more details about your right to direct us not to sell your personal information, please see here.

Contact Us

By completing this form and clicking the "Send Request" button, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy policy.

We Received Your Appointment Request!

One of our team members will call you soon to confirm the details of your appointment.
confirmation

Thank you for contacting us!

We will review your message and reach out to you shortly.