How to Tell If a Dog Has Fleas or Ticks

Identifying Fleas and Ticks

• One way you can know for sure whether your dog has fleas or ticks is by identifying the insects yourself. Fleas are very tiny, darkly-colored insects that jump quickly. You may see some of these in your house, especially around your dog's bedding or anywhere he usually lies. Note that both fleas and ticks bite humans, too. Ticks vary in size, but are usually dark and two to three times bigger than a flea. They have flat bodies and tiny heads that burrow into your dog's skin. If a tick has been around for awhile then its body will likely be light brown and swollen with blood.

Check Your Dog's Skin

• One of the easiest ways to tell if a dog has fleas or ticks is to carefully look at her skin. You may be able to spot the insects in action or see signs that they were (or are) there. Fleas leave a dog's skin looking red, painful, sore and raw. You may also notice black spots on the skin and sores that have scabs. Sometimes the dog's fur will be thin or completely missing in areas where fleas have taken over.
  The damage that ticks cause is not quite as severe. To see if your dog has ticks you should carefully observe all areas of the skin (not just the fur). You may spot small scabs or see the body of a tick with its head burrowed under your dog's skin.

Your Dog's Behavior

• If your canine is suffering from a flea or tick infestation then he will respond accordingly. Watch to see if your dog is constantly scratching himself, shaking his ears, biting his skin and hair, or showing signs of restlessness. Fleas and ticks are very uncomfortable for your pet and he will try very hard to remove all the insects from his body. This sometimes puts him in danger of hurting himself, so if you spot this behavior respond quickly by taking your dog to the veterinarian for treatment.

Check the Ears

• It's common for dog owners to check every part of their canine's body only to forget the ears. Ears, though, are prime targets for fleas and ticks that prefer to be hidden. You may notice fresh or dried blood from bites or see the insects themselves. Carefully inspect every canal and groove in your dog's ear.

Check Your Dog's Bedding

• Fleas and ticks will transport themselves to wherever your dog may be. A common location for ticks and especially fleas is your dog's bedding. Closely observe the bedding and look for the fleas or ticks themselves or small bits of brown "dust" (flea excrement) that is left behind on a regular basis. If you're uncertain as to whether the "dust" is actually flea excrement, blot it with a wet paper towel and see if it turns red. Flea feces will turn red because it's digested blood.