Are Fleas on Dogs Visible?

The best way to determine whether your dog has fleas is to check his fur for red spots. These spots are the fleas’ feces. They’re small and easily recognizable. If you pull your dog’s hair back, you’ll see red flecks in his fur. Flea dirt can also be visible on your dog’s coat, furniture, and carpet.

Flea eggs are oval and white, about the size of a salt crystal. When dissolved, they look rust-colored. Fleas tend to prefer the rump and tail areas of dogs. Fleas lay their eggs in clusters of twenty or more, and the eggs fall off the dog’s fur.

Adult fleas are small, reddish-brown and about an eighth of an inch long. They have large back legs that enable them to jump up to 12 inches. An adult flea can also carry as many as 100 immature fleas. Fleas will remain on your dog’s coat for up to a year. Fleas can be difficult to spot, but they’re easy to see on light-colored dog fur.

Another way to tell if your dog has fleas is to notice whether they scratch themselves. If your dog has a constant scratching habit, chances are he has fleas. Fleas irritate the skin and cause the scratching behavior.