Only in the USA, over 60% of all households have at least one pet. At the same time, 50% of the dogs end up sharing beds, sofas and common areas with their owners. Pets are part of their family and when dogs seem so expressive when they try to understand you, it makes perfect sense to live in such closeness to you.
But on a negative note, people can get lots of diseases from pets. Dogs are less likely to get too many affections from people though. Such zoonotic affections are usually easy to deal with, yet they can be extremely annoying. Some of them may take ages to overcome, but the good news is that no matter what problem you have, it has at least one solution.
At this point, you probably ask yourself – can you get fleas from dogs? The quick answer is yet. If your dog has fleas, they can spread around your entire house and they will end up climbing on you too. They will bite you and cause plenty of discomfort, such as little wounds and scratching problems. How do you get rid of this problem then?
Can you get fleas from furry friend?
Not just from dogs, but from any of your pets with this issue. You can also get fleas from cats. Your dog or cat can go outside, meet another animal with fleas and bring them back to your household. Inevitably, they will end up everywhere – including your body too. If you have seen a dark dot on a white sock that suddenly disappeared, chances are you have fleas.
While a dog can easily enrich your life, the closeness to you will also put you at risk for grabbing some ectoparasites from it. Fleas are the most popular ones. However, this issue is not a reason to come up with an outdoor house for your pet and leave it there.
There are more species of fleas out there. Not all of them prefer animals. Some others choose other sources to feed. Fleas on dogs tend to jump around your house and even target you too, but here comes the best news – most species using dogs as hosts will not be able to survive on people.
Fleas have two requirements in order to thrive. First, they need blood as food. You have plenty of it. Second, they need a warm place to hide. Since you have no fur, they are less likely to find you as a good host. They can still jump around and bite you, but they will not thrive. Sooner or later, they will go back to your dog or just find a different spot.
In other words, treating your pet is not the only issue to pay attention to. Instead, you have to work on your household as well.
First considerations when you spot fleas
Fleas are quite easy to spot. They are tiny and hop. You see a black dot now and it is gone a second later. You can see fleas on lighter surfaces, such as white areas or light tiles. At the same time, you can also check your pet’s fur. Go down to the skin and check out various areas. Fleas do not hop too much when trapped under the fur, but they tend to move.
“Fleas bites” are noticeable – small dots. They are not like mosquito bites, so they do not grow in size. Plus, they are itchy and impossible to ignore. Sometimes, they appear in a straight line or in groups of three or four bites. Most commonly, fleas target the legs – but especially the ankles.
Can you get fleas from dog? Yes. Can you treat them? Not really. There are no treatments when it comes to fleas. Simply take a shower, use loads of soap and make sure you get some cream for the itchy sensations. If you can resist scratching, those “fleas bites” will heal faster.
Things are different when it comes to dogs. Fleas will gather and multiply in groups. They will target one area or another. If they all gather in one place, they can cause anemia. They may also cause severe infestations. Pay attention to small signs. Apart from checking your dog, also take a look at its reactions – if it keeps scratching all the time, something is wrong.
It is worth noting that some fleas may come with diseases, such as the plague. It sounds alarming, but these situations are rare.
How to get rid of fleas
Ideally, you should prevent fleas, rather than have to deal with them. But many pet owners react when the problem is already obvious. There are quite a few solid products and brands out there and they deal with both the prevention and treatment of flea infestations. Your vet should be able to make some good recommendations.
Things are a bit different when it comes to your house. While getting rid of fleas on your dog will slowly eliminate the infestation, treating your household can seriously annihilate it. Before starting a flea treatment, you should know that most of them are efficient against adult flea only, so it might take a while.
There are certain products that affect eggs and larvae as well – insect growth regulators. Make sure they are not too toxic, as you or your dog might inhale them too. Prior to applying such products, you should vacuum the floor to stimulate young fleas to get out of their cocoons.
If your dog spends lots of time outdoors, you need to apply the same treatment. Fleas like tall grass, as well as shade, so focus on storage buildings or woodpiles. Apply a classic IGR product every couple of weeks for a few months.
It is important to know that fleas can survive inside their cocoons for about eight months, so you might end up with another wave months after you get rid of them. This is what makes prevention so important. If done correctly, it will annihilate fleas as soon as they leave their cocoons.
Frequently asked questions
It is perfectly normal to get stuck at times. Here are some of the most common questions people ask themselves in the process.
What kills fleas on dogs instantly?
Top brands against fleas will most likely give you the best treatments against fleas. They will die and fall – simple as that. You can find dead bodies around your household too. As you start the treatment, give your dog regular baths and vacuum on a daily basis.
You can also try out homemade solutions – four cups of water, six cups of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of sea salt. Mix this cocktail, then spray it on your dog’s fur.
How do humans get rid of fleas?
Regular cleaning with soap is the way to go. However, fleas do not thrive on people. While there is plenty of food there, you have no hiding spots. Without a thick coat or fur, you are less likely to have fleas stick to you.
Can fleas live in your bed?
Absolutely. Your bed is warm and has lots of hiding spots. Fleas lay eggs as well. You will find small feces looking like tiny dots all around the sheets.
How long do dog fleas live on humans?
Not too long because there are no hiding places. But since an infestation can bring in thousands of flees, they can all give you a try, so it feels like they are constantly on your skin.
Final words
Bottom line, can you get fleas from dogs? Absolutely! It is perfectly normal, but the good news is they will not thrive on you. They will hurt your dog and give you plenty of discomfort though, so both the prevention and treatment of such problems are equally important.
