What Does a Flea Look Like on a Dog and How to Find Them

Fleas on dogs are tiny, flat, and oval-shaped, about 1-3 millimeters in length. They have six tiny legs and a long, thin body.

Their bodies are usually a reddish-brown color, which can help them blend in with the dog's fur. You might need a magnifying glass to spot them, but if you know what to look for, you can find them easily.

Adult fleas are usually found near the dog's neck, belly, or behind their ears, where the fur is longest. This is because they like to feed on the dog's blood in these areas.

To find fleas on your dog, start by checking their favorite hiding spots, like their armpits, groin, and behind their ears.

Expand your knowledge: How to Find a Flea on a Dog

Dog fleas are small, black/brown in color, and swell after feasting on blood.

Adult dog fleas are about 1/8" (2.5 mm) in length, laterally flattened, and wingless. Their body is brownish black to black in color but may appear reddish black when full of blood.

Dog flea larvae are whitish, slender, eyeless, and legless, measuring about 1/8-1/4” (2.5-5.2 mm) long.

Flea bites can cause itchy red bumps, typically located on the armpit or in the fold of a joint such as the elbow, knee, or ankle.

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Fleas are particularly prevalent in areas where a dog has thick fur, allowing easy access to the skin.

Adult fleas are visible without magnification, making them relatively easy to spot.

Flea eggs, about the size of a grain of salt, are typically white or translucent and can easily fall off a dog.

Increased itching and scratching in a dog is a common sign of a flea infestation.

Flea larvae are even smaller than eggs and often hide in dark, sheltered areas like carpets, bedding, or floor cracks.

If you suspect your dog has fleas, it's essential to inspect them closely for any signs of infestation.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Get Flea Eggs off a Dog

Dog fleas are small, black/brown in color, and swell after feasting on blood.

Adult dog fleas are about 1/8" (2.5 mm) in length, laterally flattened, and wingless.

Their body is brownish black to black in color but may appear reddish black when full of blood.

One of the most obvious signs of a flea infestation is seeing an actual flea on your dog.

Dog fleas have disproportionately small heads and six legs with the hind ones capable of jumping large distances.

Mature dog flea larvae are about 1/8-1/4” (2.5-5.2 mm) long and are whitish, slender, eyeless, and legless.

Dog fleas can live for about 100 days, during which time the females produce 400-500 offspring.

Flea eggs are deposited on dogs in between their hair and usually hatch in 1-12 days.

Adult dog fleas typically measure about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long, comparable to a pinhead.

Their long hind legs enable fleas to jump distances of up to 150 times their body length.

Dog flea bites can cause itchy red bumps, typically located on the armpit or in the fold of a joint such as the elbow, knee, or ankle.

Observing a dog excessively scratching, seeing flea bites on dogs, and licking or biting at their skin are other signs of a dog flea infestation.

Worth a look: How Long Does a Flea Live on a Dog