Have you seen little black specks on your cat or dog? If you visited your local vet once or twice, they might have seen it.
Flea dirt. What exactly is it? And what if you have flea dirt but no fleas are visible?
It could mean:
- Your pet had fleas at one point, and the pests might have jumped off during bathing or grooming. When you’re touching the animal’s fur, the fleas will jump away.
- If you haven’t bathed the dog after a treatment, flea dirt may remain.
- It’s possible that flea dirt only indicates a few fleas that you are unable to see in the area you’re looking at.
Just because you have found flea dirt but cannot see any fleas doesn’t necessarily mean the fleas are gone. Fleas can be hard to see and tend to scatter.
Flea dirt may be present, but if you cannot see any fleas, read on to find out why.
Flea Dirt: What Is It?
Flea dirt is just flea poop mixed with dried blood particles. Nobody wants to talk about flea poop all day, so “flea dirt” is used instead.
Flea dirt resembles small dots, either black or brown, as shown in the image above. If you notice any dirt around your pet’s living area or on your pet, there is a good chance they have fleas. The tummy and tail are common places to find them.
Fleas demand prompt treatment, and you must take preventative measures to avoid health risks.
Flea Dirt But No Fleas
It might seem odd if you notice flea dirt without finding fleas. Where did they go?
Due to their size and mobility, fleas are hard to see. If you go inspect for them, fleas will flee to the darker areas on the animal’s skin (pun intended!). You might have more luck finding them if you part the fur.
If you go inspect for them, fleas will flee to the darker areas on the animal’s skin
Flea dirt, however, does not move. Flea dirt is produced in large quantities by females.
It’s common for your pet to have a small number of fleas but plenty of flea dirt. So you might notice what seems like a disproportionate amount of flea dirt, as it’s more common to see the dirt than the fleas themselves.
If your pet had fleas and you treated it but didn’t wash the fido of fluffy, then the flea dirt can remain. It will wash away with soap and water… but can remain for a surprisingly long time after fleas have gone if you did not bathe your pet properly.
Is Flea Dirt Easy to Find?
A flea dirt speck is usually round and looks like a black pepper speck. Cats and dogs can have flea dirt in their fur or skin. Flea combs, or your fingers, can be used in the opposite direction of your pet’s hair growth to expose flea dirt or even live fleas.
A flea’s preferred area is usually around your pet’s tail, between the hind legs, and around the groin area. Head and neck regions are usually avoided, though it’s still a good idea to check that area, just in case.
There are times when you will see dirt, but there’s no sign of fleas. The animal can consume fleas while grooming – which occurs especially with cats. During their life cycle, fleas spend only a small part of their time on animals, living in the garden or home the rest of the time.
Occasionally, you can observe flea dirt around the house, particularly around carpets and pet furniture. Examine your pet’s favorite spots to see if you need to treat them, especially the pet’s bed.
The Best Way to Deal With Flea Dirt in Your Home
We cannot mention the word clean enough. It’s recommended that bedding and carpets be cleaned multiple times to ensure they are free of flea dirt, larvae, and eggs.
Keep in mind that fleas are capable of living their entire lives indoors.Â
Immature fleas are commonly in the bedroom and living room and are often found on carpets and hardwood floors. Additionally, look in areas with shade or sand, which is what immature fleas prefer.
When it comes to fleas your best bet is to vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Then vacuum some more. Did we mention vacuuming?
What Are the Signs of Flea Dirt?
In some cases, flea dirt looks like ordinary dirt, and owners are reluctant to believe (or admit) that their dogs are infested with fleas, particularly when none of the other symptoms of flea infestation have been discovered.
Flea dirt can be identified reliably, however. Paper towels can be lightly wetted and gently rubbed on the area with black spots. Alternatively, you can grab a few black dots with tweezers, put them on a paper towel, and moisten them with water.
If you see a streak of red, then you certainly have flea dirt as opposed to regular dirt.
What Are the Health Effects of Flea Dirt on Humans?
The dirt from fleas is not harmful in most cases, but it does contain waste products from a bug. It needs to be handled carefully. After touching flea dirt, thoroughly wash your hands and cover any wounds that might be infected with flea dirt.Â
It’s possible to contract infections from flea dirt because it contains blood, though this is rare.Â
Despite the low likelihood that it transmits disease, the risk isn’t worth taking. After touching an animal or cleaning up after them, handwashing is a must.
Flea dirt is not the only problem to consider. There is a possibility that fleas will bite you and leave an itchy rash on your skin, resulting in irritation. It is highly unusual for fleas to attempt to infest humans.
However, if your pet is, you can get bitten too. They love ankles.
Flea Dirt on Pets: How to Remove It
Choosing a non-irritating shampoo is the first step. Flea baths are required to remove flea dirt, and it may be necessary to shampoo the pet two or three times. With a flea comb, you can remove fleas themselves as well as their dirt.
Talk to your vet for medications and cleaning techniques specific to your breed of animal.
Final Thoughts
If you see the dirt without the fleas, don’t dismiss it and assume that means there are no fleas present. The flea may still be present in your home or on your pet’s skin in darker areas where they blend in.
Keep investigating until you understand what’s going on. The infestation can always get worse!
