Dog Health
Fleas and Ticks on Dogs and Cats: Prevention, Removal & When to Worry
Published Last updated 2 min read
Quick answer
Fleas cause itching, skin allergy, and can spread tapeworms; ticks attach and feed on blood and may transmit serious diseases depending on where you live. Modern vet-prescribed preventatives work far better than old-fashioned flea collars alone. If you find a tick, remove it promptly with a tick tool — never burn it or use petroleum jelly.
Signs your pet has fleas
- Scratching, biting, or over-grooming
- Small dark specks in the coat ("flea dirt" — digested blood)
- Red, irritated skin or hair loss (especially base of tail and belly)
- Fleas visible when you part the fur (fast-moving dark insects)
One flea can become hundreds within weeks because eggs fall into bedding and carpets. Treat the pet, all other pets in the home, and the environment together.
Signs of ticks
Ticks look like small grey-brown bumps that grow as they feed. Check after walks in long grass or woodland — common sites include ears, neck, armpits, groin, and between toes.
Prevention (the best approach)
Your vet can recommend spot-on treatments, tablets, or collars licensed for your pet's species and weight. Many products cover fleas and ticks together. Use cat-only products on cats — some dog flea treatments contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats.
Year-round prevention is advised in many regions because central heating allows fleas to survive indoors through winter.
Removing a tick safely
- Use a tick removal tool or fine-point tweezers
- Grasp the tick close to the skin
- Pull slowly upward with steady pressure — do not twist or jerk
- Disinfect the bite area and wash your hands
- Save the tick in a sealed bag if your vet wants identification (region-dependent)
Do not use matches, oils, or nail polish — these irritate the skin and may cause the tick to regurgitate.
When to see the vet
- Severe scratching or skin infection
- Flea allergy dermatitis (raw, hot spots)
- Tick attached near the eye or in the ear canal
- After tick removal: lameness, fever, loss of appetite, or unusual bruising (weeks later in some tick-borne diseases)
- If a cat may have been exposed to dog-only flea products (emergency)
Home and environment
Wash pet bedding hot, vacuum carpets and furniture thoroughly, and consider a vet-advised environmental spray if infestation is heavy. Repeat vacuuming breaks the flea life cycle.
Sources & further reading
Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.
PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-06-23).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can fleas live on humans?
- Human fleas are rare in many homes; cat and dog fleas may bite people but usually do not infest us long-term. Treating the pet and home clears the problem.
- How do I remove a tick from my dog?
- Use a tick hook or fine tweezers, grasp close to the skin, and pull steadily upward without twisting. Disinfect the bite and monitor for illness.
- Do indoor cats need flea treatment?
- Often yes — fleas hitchhike on people and other pets, and eggs can persist in carpets. Ask your vet about year-round prevention.
- What diseases do ticks carry?
- Depends on region — examples include Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis in dogs. Prompt removal and prevention reduce risk.