How to Get Rid of Flea Dirt on Dogs

If your dog has been itching or scratching, you may have taken a look at their skin and noticed some flea dirt. This small black or brown residue is actually flea poop, and it’s left behind on your dog’s skin when they’re battling a flea infestation. [1] Don’t worry though—in this article, we’ve detailed how you can treat your dog’s fleas to get rid of the flea dirt once and for all.

1

Get a topical flea medicine from your vet.

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    You can get one from your vet, or you can buy a package from your local pet supply store. Be sure you get one for your dog’s weight range, and follow the instructions on the package carefully. These medications usually kill fleas within a few days, and after that, you’ll notice much less flea dirt on your dog’s skin. [2]
    • Deal with fleas a lot? Consider applying a topical medication about once a month as a preventative.
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2

Bathe your dog with flea shampoo.

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    Grab a medicated flea shampoo from your local pet supply store, then plop your dog in the tub. Follow the instructions on the bottle for shampooing, and let the shampoo sit on your dog’s skin for at least 5 minutes. When you rinse, you’ll most likely see dead fleas and flea dirt get washed down the drain. [3]
    • When you’re looking for a flea shampoo, make sure it has pyrethrins as an active ingredient. This is a mild insecticide that will penetrate flea bodies and kill them almost instantly.
    • If your dog is too big for you to bathe at home, make an appointment at a dog groomer, and make sure to specify that you’d like a flea bath.
3

Brush your dog with a flea comb.

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    Sit down with your dog and grab a flea comb, which is a metal comb with very small teeth. Start at your dog’s neck and gently comb their fur, moving with the direction that their hair grows. As you comb, submerge the comb in a bowl of rubbing alcohol every few swipes to kill any live fleas you pick up. [4]
    • Fleas tend to congregate around your dog’s neck and shoulder blades, so focus on these areas first.
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4

Wash your dog’s bedding.

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    If your dog has a dog bed or a favorite blanket that they like to sleep on, gather it up and throw it in the washing machine on the hottest setting you have. The hot water will kill all of the fleas and their eggs, so your dog won’t keep getting infested with fleas. [5]
    • If you deal with fleas a lot, it’s a good idea to wash your dog’s bedding regularly.
5

Wash your own bedding and anything soft.

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    If your dog likes to lounge on your bed or on your couch, they may have transferred some fleas or their eggs. Wash anything soft in your home that you can in the washing machine on the hot water cycle. This includes your bedding, throw rugs, blankets, bath mats, and cushions. [6]
    • If you’ve been waking up with small, red, itchy bites on your arms or legs, you might be dealing with fleas in your bed. Make sure you wash your bedding at least once a week to kill adult fleas and their eggs.
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6

Vacuum and sweep your floors.

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    If you have carpet, grab a vacuum and give your whole house a once-over, including the baseboards and along the edges of the wall. When you’re done, be sure to throw out the vacuum bag right away to avoid the fleas hopping out and back into your home. [7]
    • For wood floors, sweep your house thoroughly, including the baseboards and along the wall edges. For good measure, mop your floors using hot water and soap.
7

Mow your lawn.

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    If you notice that your dog is coming inside a lot with new fleas, they could be picking them up outside. Try to keep your grass pretty short so it doesn’t brush up against your dog’s belly. If you have a grassy lawn, you may want to mow it as often as once a week. [8]
    • The same goes for any dog parks or outdoor spots you take your dog to play. Try to stick to ones with short grass so your dog isn’t picking up new fleas every time you’re out.
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8

Spray outdoor areas with insecticide.

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    Pick up an insecticide from your local hardware store, then spray the areas of the yard that your dog spends the most time. Make sure you keep all of your pets out of the area until the insecticide dries to keep them safe (usually, this is a couple of hours). If the infestation continues, you can reapply the insecticide in the same areas. [9]
    • Insecticides can be dangerous to both humans and animals. Make sure you follow the directions on the package carefully, and be sure to wear gloves and safety goggles for protection.
9

Try not to let your dog interact with strange dogs.

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    Unfortunately, this means that if your dog is constantly rubbing up against dog friends at the dog park or doggy daycare, they might be getting fleas that way. Try to discourage your dog from doing this, and keep them on a leash whenever you can. [10]
    • If you can’t stop your dog from interacting with other dogs completely, that’s okay. Just take them home and give them a flea bath to prevent any new fleas from laying eggs.
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10

Prevent future fleas with an oral medication.

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    Oral medications are slightly stronger than topical ones, and they can both kill existing fleas and prevent new ones. Talk to your vet about having your dog take pills monthly to get rid of any fleas they might be dealing with. [11]
    • You should only ever get these pills from a vet, not anywhere else. Dosage is very important, and taking the wrong strength could make your dog sick.
11

Call a pest control service if you need to.

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    If you’ve tried a lot of methods and you’re still noticing flea dirt on your dog’s skin, call a professional to assess your home. They can take a look around and decide what kind of products to use to keep fleas out of your home for good. [12]
    • If you do use a pest control service, you may need to take your family and your pets out of the home for a few hours (or a full day). The chemicals they use can be harmful, especially right after they’re applied.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dog fleas, check out our in-depth interview with Ray Spragley, DVM .

      References

      1. ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 26 April 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fleas-and-ticks
      3. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fleas-and-ticks
      4. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fleas-and-ticks
      5. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/fleas/getting_rid.html
      6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas/
      7. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/fleas/getting_rid.html
      8. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas/
      9. ↑ https://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/fleas/
      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/flea-bites-on-dogs/
      3. ↑ https://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/fleas/

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      • Suzanne Harrington

        Aug 24, 2022

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