How do you know if your dog has fleas?

Your dog may exhibit behaviors that are telltale signs of fleas. In the case of a minor infestation, you may be unable to see fleas on your dog's body. Check his armpits and his tail area where fleas normally gather. Run a flea comb through his fur to check for live fleas, and flea dirt, which is dried blood. read more

Make sure you get close to the skin when running the comb through the hair so you have a greater chance of getting to where the fleas are hiding out. Have a bowl of soapy water on hand to throw any live fleas into as you comb. One trick that may help you if the fleas are hard to see is to place a white piece of paper or paper towel on the floor next to or beneath your dog while coming through her hair. Flea dirt (flea feces) will fall off of the dog’s skin and land on the paper. read more

A bath can serve several purposes if you suspect your dog has fleas. The appearance of fleas in your dog's bath water can confirm their presence on his body. Additionally, using a mild dish soap as a shampoo will kill the fleas on your dog's body, and the bath can help soothe your dog's inflamed skin. read more