How to Know If Your Dog Has Ticks or Fleas?

Is your dog scratching himself abnormally? Does your furry friend seem to itch a lot these days? If yes, it might be a sign that he is having ticks or fleas.

What Are Fleas and Ticks, and Why Do They Infect Your Pet?

Ticks are parasites that are commonly found in tall grasses or shady areas. They look similar to spiders and reside on the skin of pets, surviving by feeding their blood. Fleas are similar to ticks in nature. However, they are tiny and pets get them by contacting other pets.

Dogs can easily get ticks and fleas while playing in gardens, bushy areas, or with other animals. The soft and warm fur of dogs acts as a perfect environment for fleas and ticks to settle. Plus, they can feed on the blood and populate.

Are Fleas and Ticks Dangerous For Your Dog?

Yes, ticks and fleas are a danger to your dog’s health. The area where they suck blood can become red, itchy, or flaky. This can cause irritation and discomfort in your dog.

Further, these blood-feeding insects can cause several diseases like Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, anaemia and more.

Signs Your Dog Has Ticks & Fleas

Ticks are visible to the naked eye and are generally located in certain areas of your fido’s body. These include the following:

• The area around the eyes, ears and collar.
• The area around the tail.
• The area under the front legs.
• The area between the toes and the back legs.

On the other hand, locating fleas is quite tricky as they are tiny and spread across the fur of your dog. If you notice the following signs, chances are your dog might be having fleas.

1. If your dog is unusually licking, scratching or biting around his body, especially near the tail, neck, armpits or groyne, it might be an indication of having fleas.
2. Red patches or lesions on your dog’s coat can be another indicator of fleas.
3. Fleas may also cause hair loss in dogs. Thus, look out for the fur your dog is shedding. If it’s anything more than usual, stay put.
4. If you notice red or brown specks on your dog’s fur or in your home, it might be flea dirt. To be sure, place some of the specks on a white paper towel and wet them with water spray. If it turns brown or red, it’s flea dirt.

How to Get Rid of Ticks and Fleas?

Since ticks are large and easily visible, removing them is somewhat easy. Here’s what you can do:

1. Spread the fur around the tick to have a clear space. Get a paper towel and grasp the tick from the root and pull it gently. Ensure that you don’t pop it or leave any residue behind.
2. Drop the tick in a disinfectant solution. You can prepare one at home by simply mixing alcohol and vinegar.
3. Clean the skin where the tick had bitten with antiseptic.
4. Wash your hands properly.

Removing fleas can be a tricky task, as they can be present all over the body. Here are a few tips to get you through this:

1. 1. Brushing can effectively remove fleas from your dog’s coat.
   2. You can even use dry shampoos that are anti-fleas.
   3. There are specially formulated anti-fleas oils and shampoos for dogs available on the market. You can consider them.
   4. Vacuuming your home and washing your dog’s bedding regularly might help.
   5. You can also rinse them every time they come from a long day playing in muddy places.

Fleas and ticks are a nuisance not only for dogs but also for pet owners. Although home remedies can help, at times, it’s better to seek veterinary advice to prevent health issues in your dog.