Recognizing Fleas and Grass Mites in Dogs

Fleas naturally inhabit grass, fields, and bushes but can also be found indoors, waiting for a host to pass by. These 3 mm bloodsuckers have an enormous jumping power of up to 1 m across and 25 cm high! Fleas are brownish, narrow, flat, and wingless, with six legs and strong hind legs for jumping.

There are thousands of flea species worldwide, including dog fleas (Ctenocephalides cani), cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), and human fleas (Pulex irritans). Interestingly, the most common flea on dogs is the cat flea, while dog fleas are rare. Fleas can also infest humans as “false hosts” when the primary host is absent.

A female flea lays her first eggs after her first blood meal, producing 27-50 eggs per day in the dog’s fur. These smooth eggs fall off and hatch in optimal conditions (25°C and 80% humidity). Larvae crawl into dark places to pupate in cocoons, hatching after 10 days when they sense warmth, CO2, and vibrations. Fleas can move from one dog to another but prefer staying on their host.

Flea Infestation in Homes

Even a few fleas can lead to hundreds of eggs and larvae in carpets, dog baskets, upholstery, and textiles. Larvae can survive up to six months without a blood meal, leading to difficult-to-contain infestations. Early precautions and immediate action are crucial.

Fleas seek warmth during winter, transferring into homes via wild animals. Protect your dog with natural spot-on preparations, vermin tapes, and flea powder. Treat surroundings with pest sprays and follow up with anthelmintic therapy to prevent worm transmission. Persistent infestations require a vet visit. Find suitable products in our online shop.

The first sign of a flea or mite infestation is intense itching caused by the saliva of these pests, followed by your dog’s persistent scratching. Some dogs might also bite or nibble at the affected areas.

Identifying Fleas and Mites

Determining whether your dog has fleas or grass mites can be tricky. Not all dogs scratch enough for you to notice, and detecting fleas in thick fur can be a matter of luck. Early infestations might go unnoticed, leading to a larger problem later.

By the time you notice fleas on your dog, there’s likely a significant infestation in your home. Only 5% of fleas live on their host; the rest are in the environment as eggs, larvae, and pupae. Treating your dog alone won’t suffice; you must also address the environment.

Use a vet-prescribed insecticide to kill adult fleas (shampoos, powders, sprays) and an insect development inhibitor to destroy eggs. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult your vet, as these products are toxic. Treat all pets in your household.

Use special antiparasitics like spot-on treatments or flea collars. The best options have a repellent or knock-down effect to prevent bites, especially important for dogs with flea allergies. Consult your vet for advice.

Fleas can transmit the cucumber tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) when bitten or swallowed by your dog. A worming treatment is essential after flea treatment. Flea saliva can also cause serious allergies, known as flea dermatitis.

Grass mite larvae, also known as harvest mites, cause problems for dogs and humans. These mites are barely visible, about 0.3 mm in size, but their orange-red bodies make them easier to spot. Grass mite larvae appear from March and prefer grass, straw, and knee-high plants. To check for mites in your garden, place a light-colored cloth on the lawn in summer; mites will gather on it.

Grass mites affect areas of the dog’s body that come into contact with grass: paws, head, ears, legs, belly, and chest. They seek out thinner skin, scratch it, and release a salivary secretion.

Grass mite saliva triggers intense itching. Unlike fleas, grass mites prefer cellular and lymphatic fluids and do not transmit diseases. However, they can cause trombidiasis in humans and mite allergies in dogs. The itching intensifies with scratching and warmth.