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How to check for Fleas

If you wait until your pet starts scratching you could be facing an infestation in your home that’s hard to resolve. The problem can be avoided by regularly treating your pet and regularly checking your pet for fleas.

You might see fleas in your pet’s coat by gently parting the fur, particularly around the base of the tail. However, fleas are often difficult to find as they hate light, so the best way to check is to look for ‘flea dirt’ – small black specks in the pet’s coat, which consist of dried blood excreted by the fleas.

• Comb through your pet’s coat and collect any debris onto a wet piece of white paper or cotton wool.
• If the specks that fall onto the wet surface dissolve to give red/brown swirls or patches, then your pet has fleas.
• If you see no flea dirt and your pet is scratching or losing hair, consult your vet for help.

Fleas — Last updated on August 13, 2011