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Does an Itchy Skin Mean my Dog Has Fleas?

· Dog Care
animal hospital Fort Myers, FL

When dogs scratch parts of their body, it doesn't always mean that are infested by fleas. There are a host of other problems in which an itchy skin is a distinct symptom. Itching could be due to skin diseases, allergies, or some other health issues. But since fleas are a common parasite of dogs, they are one of the culprits that you need to be wary of and rule out before anything else. How should you check for fleas then?

The first thing to do is to check your dog's fur. Look for actual fleas living there and any sign of flea dirt on the fur. Flea dirt is the excretion of fleas (digested dried blood) and looks like ground black pepper. Focus your search on the least-hairy parts of your dog like the stomach, lower back, and the tail. You need to be meticulous in looking for fleas.

If you you can’t find any fleas but your dog continues to scratch, make an appointment with your animal hospital Fort Myers, FL sooner rather than later.