Ticks and fleas are common external parasites that can infest our furry canine friends. While both can be extremely irritating for dogs, they each have distinct appearances that allow us to tell them apart. Understanding what ticks and fleas look like can help dog owners identify an infestation early and take steps to eliminate these pesky parasites.
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What does a tick look like on a dog?
Ticks are small, round, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of their hosts. There are different tick species, but the most common ticks that infest dogs in the US are the American dog tick, brown dog tick, deer tick, Lone Star tick, and black-legged tick.
Some key identifying features of ticks include:
- Round, oval, or flattened oval body shape
- Eight legs
- Visible head (capitulum) where mouthparts are located
- Abdomen enlarges after feeding on blood
- Hard outer shell (called a scutum on adult ticks)
- Brown, black, reddish, or tan color depending on species and life stage
- Very small size ranging from 1-10 mm in length depending on species, life stage, and whether engorged with blood
The deer tick and black-legged tick are very small ticks, only about 1-3 mm in size. Other ticks like the American dog tick and Lone Star tick are larger, around 5-10 mm when engorged after feeding.
Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The larvae, nymphs, and adult females must feed on blood at every stage to survive. Here are some distinguishing features of each tick life stage:
- Larvae – Tiny, about 1 mm size, 6 legs
- Nymphs – Slightly larger, about 1-2 mm size, 8 legs
- Adult males – 2-3 mm size, 8 legs, brown or black coloring, oval body shape
- Adult females – Larger, 3-10 mm when engorged, red, tan, brown, or black coloring, oval, rounded, or flattened body shape
The larvae and nymphs are most likely to transmit disease as they are so small and can easily go unnoticed on dogs. The females also pose a disease threat as they feed on blood for an extended period to maturity.
What does a flea look like on dogs?
Fleas are tiny, wingless, brown-colored insects that infest dogs and cats. There are several flea species, but the most common flea found on dogs and cats is Ctenocephalides felis, also called the cat flea.
Some key identifying features of fleas include:
- Extremely small size, only 1-4 mm length
- Flattened narrow body shape
- Dark brown or black color
- 6 legs
- Powerful rear legs suited for jumping long distances
- Mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood
Fleas are quite small and move rapidly, making them difficult to spot in a dog’s coat. Their dark brown color also allows them to blend into the skin and fur easily. The fleas themselves are visible, but flea dirt (feces) and flea eggs may be easier to spot than the fleas themselves.
Fleas go through four lifecycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The adults live on the dog and feed on blood for 2-3 weeks. The eggs fall off into the environment and hatch into larvae. Pupae then develop and hatch into more adults that jump onto dogs and repeat the cycle.
How to tell the difference between ticks and fleas
While ticks and fleas are both tiny parasites that infest our canine companions, there are some key differences in appearance that can help identify fleas vs. ticks:
| Appearance | Ticks | Fleas |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1-10 mm depending on species and life stage | 1-4 mm |
| Body shape | Round, oval, or flattened oval shape | Flattened and narrow |
| Color | Brown, black, reddish, tan | Dark brown or black |
| Legs | 8 legs on adults | 6 legs |
| Mouthparts | Visible head where mouthparts are located | Adapted for piercing and sucking blood |
| Movement | Slow, crawling movement | Rapid jumping movement |
The most obvious visible differences are that ticks have 8 legs and oval-shaped bodies compared to fleas with 6 legs and flattened narrow bodies. Fleas also move very rapidly over the skin and through the fur compared to the slower crawling motion of ticks.
Where are ticks and fleas commonly found on a dog’s body?
Knowing the favorite spots where ticks and fleas like to hang out on a dog’s body can also help identify an infestation:
- Ticks are often found attached around a dog’s head, neck, ears, armpits, and between toes. Ticks like warm, moist areas they can latch onto.
- Fleas prefer areas with shorter fur and closer to the skin, such as the base of ears, around the tail, tummy, armpits, and groin. Fleas dislike longer fur.
Check these areas first when inspecting for parasites. Look for any visible crawling ticks or rapidly jumping fleas in the fur. Parting the fur can help spot them on the skin itself.
Signs of a tick or flea infestation
Some signs your dog may have an infestation of ticks or fleas include:
- Excessive scratching, biting, and licking at their skin and fur
- Restlessness, irritated behavior
- Hair loss from scratching
- Red bumps or rashes on skin
- Dark specks of flea dirt (feces) in fur
- Ticks visible on skin, especially around head, ears, neck, legs
- Anemia from blood loss (severe infestations)
Both parasites cause very itchy skin irritation prompting scratching and discomfort. If your dog displays sensitivity when brushed or combed in certain areas, check for parasites. Seek veterinary advice if you discover an infestation to get appropriate treatment.
What diseases can ticks and fleas transmit to dogs?
Ticks and fleas are not just irritating pests – they can also carry and transmit bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases that pose a dangerous health risk to dogs and humans. Some examples include:
Tick-borne diseases
- Lyme Disease – Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria from deer ticks. Symptoms include fever, joint swelling and pain, loss of appetite.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Caused by Rickettsia rickettsia bacteria from dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, cough, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes.
- Anaplasmosis – Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria from deer and black-legged ticks. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Babesiosis – Caused by Babesia parasites in deer ticks. Symptoms include fever, red urine, lack of appetite, swollen spleen.
- Ehrlichiosis – Caused by Ehrlichia canis bacteria from brown dog ticks and lone star ticks. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, eye discharge, bleeding disorders, swollen lymph nodes.
Flea-borne diseases
- Tapeworms – Caused by ingesting fleas infected with tapeworm larvae. Symptoms include presence of tapeworm segments near rectum, scooting rear on ground, vomiting.
- Cat Scratch Fever – Caused by Bartonella bacteria from fleas and flea feces. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, sore lymph nodes.
- Plague – Caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria from infected rodent fleas. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, swelling of lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea. More common in prairie dogs and cats.
- Mycoplasma haemofelis – Caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis bacteria from fleas. Symptoms include anemia, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite.
Prompt flea and tick control is essential to reduce the chances of disease transmission to both pets and humans in the household.
Conclusion
Being able to identify and differentiate ticks and fleas is an important part of safeguarding your dog’s health. Ticks and fleas have distinct body shapes and features that allow us to tell them apart upon close inspection. Ticks have oval bodies with 8 legs, while fleas have flattened narrow bodies with 6 legs. Both parasites can cause skin irritation and transmit dangerous diseases to dogs and humans. Checking your pet’s body regularly, especially in areas ticks and fleas like to infest, allows early detection and treatment to prevent an outbreak. If you suspect your dog has a tick or flea infestation, contact your veterinarian for advice on safe and effective control products and prevention.