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What is flea dirt?

Many pet owners never see the actual fleas but they do find evidence of them in their left over feces. It is commonly referred to as "flea dirt". Flea dirt is the bowel movement of the flea, and since fleas bite your dog and eat the blood, the bowel movement primarily contains digested blood.

Flea dirt is not really "dirt" at all. It appears as small black flecks close to your pet’s skin, or sometimes on a pet’s hair. Some people think it looks like fresh ground pepper.

Where can you find flea dirt?

Flea dirt is found on most animals that have fleas. It is most easily seen in areas of thin or light colored hair or in areas where fleas are often concentrated. Your pet’s dorsal back (just in front of the tail) is a good spot to find flea dirt. You can also find it near ears, or on their abdomens depending on the severity of the infestation.

Flea dirt is common in pet bedding where an infestation has occurred. You can sometimes place a dog on a white blanket, sheet or towel and pet him or her while watching for small black flakes to fall onto the white surface. Wash pet bedding in hot water to get rid of flea dirt, and to potentially keep down any possible infestations from happening or worsening.

How can you tell if it is really flea dirt?

Fleas eat blood. So digested blood is the primary ingredient in flea feces. You can find it by separating the hair and looking at the skin. A flea comb can be beneficial to help you identify the flea dirt. A flea comb is a fine-toothed comb that will often pull out any small objects such as fleas or flea dirt.

When you find flea dirt, place it on a moistened paper towel. If it is really flea dirt, it will make reddish or brown spots when it softens, because it is composed mostly of blood cells. This will help you differentiate flea dirt from regular dirt specks.

What is the significance of flea dirt?

If you find flea dirt, it means your pet has fleas. You may not see the fleas, as some dogs are very good at grooming and subsequently eating the fleas. Not all dogs have severe reactions to fleas, and it might seem like a false alarm, but if the flea dirt is present, your pet needs treated.

Contact your vet for the best flea prevention and treatment products.

NOTE: NEVER use dog flea products on a cat. This can cause a fatal toxicity.

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