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Updated on July 15th, 2025
Many pet parents don’t realize just how quickly fleas and ticks can turn into a full-blown infestation for their dogs and cats. These tiny pests don’t discriminate and can cause discomfort, itching and even health issues for your pets. The best way to protect your furry family members is to be informed: understanding where fleas and ticks come from, how to prevent an infestation and what treatments work best if you spot them on your pet. No matter where you are in your flea and tick battle, you've come to the right place to learn how to make them flee!
Flea and tick bites are more than a nuisance and source of discomfort for dogs and cats. They carry microorganisms that can transmit bacteria, parasites and viruses, says Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a Los Angeles-based veterinarian and owner of California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness. "Fleas can spread bacteria like Rickettsia typhi, which is the causative agent of the disease typhus, and Bartonella henselae, which is the causative agent of cat scratch fever, among other bacteria," says Mahaney. "Fleas also carry parasites like tapeworms, which will grow inside a dog or cat when the pet consumes the flea in effort to self-soothe from the flea bite."
While fleas can survive in many climates, the worst time of year for these pesky critters is during warmer months when temperatures remain above 35-45 °F or 1-8 °C.
Some regions of the U.S. typically reach temperatures above 45 °F in late winter or early spring, but others stay above it year-round.
Region -- Typical Month ≥ 50 °F
Northern states (e.g., MN, WI, ND): April
Mid‑north/Mid‑Atlantic (e.g., IL, PA, VA): March–April
South‑central (e.g., TX, LA, MS, FL): January–February
Western states vary (e.g., CA, AZ, WA): February–April depending on elevation
However, because fleas thrive in warm, humid conditions, you may notice an increase in flea activity if your area experiences a lot of hot, rainy or muggy days.
In just 30 days, 10 fleas can turn into an infestation of up to 250,000 on your pet and in your home.
Yes! Fleas are equal-opportunity hitchhikers and can hop onto your clothing, shoes and bags and hitch a ride into your home—especially if you've been in an infested area such as a dog park, pet shelter or a home that has fleas. While humans are not a suitable host for fleas, we can get bitten before they quickly jump onto pets and begin reproducing in our home.
Fleas are small and sneaky—in fact, fleas can be as small as 3 mm in size. And because they tend to be red or brown, it can be extra tough to spot them if your dog’s or cat’s coat is that color. But don’t despair! They do leave behind some clues that you can sleuth out. The following are common signs that your pet might have fleas.
Tiny black specks: These specks, often called “flea dirt,” are essentially flea poop and indicate that there are adult fleas around. To test if a speck is flea dirt or actual dirt, place a few on a paper towel and drop water on them. If the specks become red, they are most likely flea poop—with your pet’s blood contained inside.
Actual fleas: Sometimes you can see fleas on your pet’s skin, especially with light-colored and short-coated dogs. For all dogs, separate the fur and look for any fleas scuttling around. Adult fleas’ bodies are small, flat and covered with tiny hairs, and they have six legs. Flea eggs can also attach themselves to fur, but their small size and clear coloring make them more difficult to detect. Using a flea comb can help.
Rash or patchy hair loss: If you notice patchy hair or red or bumpy areas, you’ll need to do a more thorough search for fleas and seek veterinary attention.
Those are the physical signs of fleas. Your pet may also demonstrate certain behaviors that can clue you in.
Excessive scratching, shaking and biting are all common signs that your dog is dealing with some sort of skin irritant, which could be fleas.
In severe cases, a dog dealing with fleas may appear lethargic and lack the energy to do the things they usually enjoy.
Cats can experience some of the same symptoms from fleas and ticks, but they might manifest differently, especially because cats are often better at hiding discomfort and grooming away the evidence. Flea season for cats is the same as it is for dogs.
Cats may not show as many obvious signs as dogs, so regular physical checks are key—especially if you have other animals that go outside, your cat goes outdoors or you live in a tick-prone area. Use a flea comb to check for fleas and flea dirt, and inspect common tick hiding spots with your hands and eyes, especially if your cat has long hair.
As always, prevention is easier than treatment. Petco offers flea and tick preventives specially formulated for cats, as well as tools and treatments for infestations. Always choose products labeled for cats, as some dog products can be toxic to felines.
While fleas and ticks both suck, literally, there are some differences that can help you determine which tiny vampire has targeted your pet.
Fleas tend to move around on your pet —quickly and often. Fleas are not easily felt. Ticks, on the other hand, are lazy and tend to latch on in one place to feed. Your pet’s skin may have small bumps you can feel. Ticks also dramatically increase in size as they feed, making them easier to feel and see. Ticks tend to be gray, brown or black, depending on their type and age. The most common areas ticks hang out in are your pet’s ears, between their toes, under their collar, in their armpits and around the tail.
A fine-toothed flea comb can help you check for fleas or flea dirt. Ticks, however, should be removed carefully with tweezers or a tick removal tool. BTW, you may have heard of using a match to remove ticks. This is outdated information that is not only ineffective but dangerous.
Whether your pet has fleas or ticks, prompt action and appropriate treatment (available at Petco or your vet) can help keep them comfortable and protected.
Obviously, your first course of action after discovering fleas is to treat your pet so they begin to feel more comfortable. A consultation with your veterinarian should be your first move, just to ensure that any treatments you would like to use on your pet are in line with any additional medications or health concerns.
The best course of action in treating fleas will likely include a fast-acting oral tablet or shampoo treatment to kill adult fleas or using a flea comb to remove adult fleas. In conjunction with fast-acting treatments, a long-term prevention product such as a flea pill, topical or flea collar will be necessary to break the flea life cycle. If you have multiple pets, be sure to treat all of them at the same time. Fleas will often move around from host to host within a home, even if one or more pets never go outside.
Your pet’s items—like their indoor bed and outdoor doghouse, can be a hotbed for fleas. Treat your home and yard all at the same time to create a united front against these parasites inside and out. Pick a day, call it Ticked-Off Tuesday or Flea-Free Friday, to tackle these unwelcome intruders. Below is a plan of attack for what to do to leave no flea behind.
Vacuum all carpets, area rugs, hardwood floors and upholstered furniture.
Wash all your bedding, as well as your pet’s blankets and toys, with soap on the hottest setting possible. The temperature that kills fleas and their eggs is above 95°F (35°C) with high humidity for extended periods. Therefore, washing pet bedding and clothes in hot water (130°F/54°C or higher) and drying on high heat will kill adult fleas, larvae and eggs effectively.
Empty your vacuum regularly, especially after an infestation.
Spray your upholstery and carpet with a flea-killing spray or powder.
Remember to repeat these steps frequently to keep future flea infestations at bay. Weekly can be very effective while you gain control of the situation.
Mow your yard and trim back hedges and bushes. To decrease the chances of attracting fleas, grass should always be kept short and you should be vigilant about removing any leaves or debris where they could hide out.
Fleas thrive in the shade (they actually can’t survive in direct sunlight), so pay special attention to shaded areas on your property.
Spray your outdoor furniture and yard with a flea-killing spray or powder.
Need to go shopping? Petco carries a variety of home sprays, shampoos and flea control treatments both in store and online to help eliminate these pests and protect your pets.
When it comes to getting rid of fleas, it’s essential to understand the entire lifecycle of the flea in order to eradicate them at every stage. Are you ready for some science? Fleas have four cycles:
1. Egg: After an adult female flea receives blood from a host (potentially your pet) and mates, she will lay small white eggs, which is the beginning of the life phase for a flea. The average adult female flea can lay approximately 40 eggs a day. Eggs take between two days and two weeks to fully develop.
2. Larvae: What hatches from the eggs are referred to as larvae, which are about 1/8-inch in length, white, legless and blind. Approximately five to 20 days after hatching, larvae will create cocoons for their next stage of life.
3. Pupae: The final stage is the pupae stage. This is when the flea develops within its cocoon for anywhere from several days to a couple months, or even years if the conditions aren’t optimal right away for hatching. The cocoon’s outer coating is sticky, which allows it to burrow and remain deep in carpets and furniture. It also protects them from some harmful irritants and chemicals. Because of these factors, this is the stage when fleas are the hardest to eradicate. Once the environment seems suitable and a host has made its presence known—your dog walks by the couch, for example—the adult will emerge from the pupae phase.
4. Adults: Adult fleas hatch from their cocoons and become ready to feed on a host within hours. Once a feeding occurs, the hatched fleas will breed, eggs will be hatched within a few days and the entire cycle will begin again.
Dealing with a flea infestation can be difficult, but luckily there are plenty of resources out there to teach you how different flea treatments work. By having your pet on a flea preventative treatment year-round you can also help protect them from any outbreaks that may occur in your area, keeping them happy and healthy.
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