Does my pet have fleas? Signs, risks and what to do

Fleas are the most common parasite of cats and dogs, and almost every pet owner deals with them at some point. Catching them early keeps your pet comfortable and stops the problem spreading into carpets and furniture, where it becomes far harder to shift.

01Which fleas do pets get?

Three fleas are commonly talked about in the UK. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is by far the most common, and despite its name it is also the flea most often found on dogs. The dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis) is less common, and the human flea (Pulex irritans) is now rare.

Adult fleas are 1 to 3mm long, dark reddish-brown, wingless and flattened from side to side, which lets them slip easily through fur. They cannot fly, but they jump remarkably well for their size, and their hard bodies make them difficult to crush between your fingers.

02How to tell if your pet has fleas

• Scratching, biting or licking more than usual, often around the base of the tail, the neck and the belly.
• Thinning or missing fur, scabs, or red and sore skin.
• Small dark insects moving through the fur when you part it.
• Black specks in the coat or the pet's bed, like ground pepper.
• Itchy bites on your own ankles and lower legs.

The flea dirt test. Brush or comb your pet over a sheet of damp white kitchen roll or tissue. Flea dirt is digested blood, so the specks will spread into small reddish-brown smears. If they stay black, they are ordinary dirt. A fine-toothed flea comb is the easiest way to check.

03Why fleas matter for pets

• Itching and skin damage. Constant scratching breaks the skin and can lead to infection.
• Flea allergy. Some pets are allergic to flea saliva, and a single bite can set off intense itching and inflamed skin.
• Tapeworm. Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae. A pet that swallows an infected flea while grooming can pick up tapeworm, so ask your vet about worming as well as flea treatment.
• Anaemia. Heavy infestations can take enough blood to make kittens, puppies and small or elderly animals unwell.

If your pet's skin is sore, broken or infected, or the animal seems unwell, see your vet.

04Do fleas bite people?

Yes. Cat fleas will feed on people when they get the chance, especially when hungry fleas hatch in a room where nobody, or no pet, has been for a while. Bites are small, very itchy red bumps, usually around the ankles and lower legs. Scratching can lead to infection. A few people react more strongly, and anyone with signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat, should call 999.

05Clearing fleas from your pet and your home

• Use a vet-recommended treatment. Ask your vet which product suits each animal and how often to use it. Never use a dog flea product on a cat: some are toxic to cats.
• Treat every pet in the house, at the same time, even the ones that are not scratching.
• Treat the home as well. Most of a flea problem is eggs, larvae and pupae in carpets, furniture and pet bedding, not on the pet. Our guide on why fleas are so hard to get rid of explains why.
• Vacuum and wash. Vacuum where your pet sleeps and sits, including furniture, and wash pet bedding on a hot wash.

06Keeping fleas away

• Keep up regular flea treatment for every pet, all year round, as your vet advises. Fleas are worse in warm weather, but central heating keeps them going through the winter.
• Check your pet with a flea comb every week or two, and more often after kennels, catteries, holidays or meeting other animals.
• Vacuum regularly, paying attention to where pets sleep, and wash their bedding often.
• Bring new pets to the vet early and start them on flea treatment before they settle in.