March 19, 2024

Any indicators of white specks in cat fur or your canine’s coat is a trigger for concern. After all, white specks like that may be a transparent signal of flea eggs in canine hair, which can hatch to turn into a flea infestation.

However, white specks in your cat or canine’s coat don’t at all times equal flea eggs. There is an effective probability that the white specks you see are literally canine or kitten dandruff. So earlier than you spend money on costly therapies, it’s finest to know how one can finest inform the distinction between the 2.

All About Fleas

If you assume that the white specks in your canine’s fur is likely to be fleas, then you might be questioning how they received there.

Fleas are sometimes discovered hiding in tall grass and bushes. Dogs make a terrific host, so when your canine explores the outsides, fleas will hop on. Even with anti-flea medicine, there’s a good probability that one or two fleas will make a house in your canine or cat throughout their lifetime. Fleas can’t feed or thrive off of people, so you’ll not often ever discover flea eggs in human hair or in your pores and skin. But you run the danger of being bitten by them whereas they search out an acceptable host.

Once a feminine flea finds a bunch, it can lay eggs throughout the first 24 hours and proceed to put much more as she feeds. Because of the swift replica timeframe, flea infestations can occur rapidly and abruptly.

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What Do Flea Eggs Look Like?

Unlike dandruff, flea eggs are uniform in look. They’re rectangular with rounded ends, resembling tiny grains of rice. They are additionally stickier than dandruff and received’t shake off simply.

Dogs affected by a flea infestation can also be lined in small spackles of what seems to be brown filth. This is flea filth, which is definitely fecal matter left behind by the flea. To affirm, take away a number of the flea filth with a moist paper towel and smear it. If it leaves a reddish path, then it’s flea filth.

How To Treat A Flea Infestation

If your canine or cat is roofed in flea eggs, additionally they have a flea infestation. Your pet needs to be taken to the veterinarian instantly.

You can use salt to wash your property of fleas. Grind refined salt as finely as doable to get into each crevice, and unfold over any carpet, furnishings, or upholstery in your house. Let sit for 12 to 48 hours, then vacuum. Repeat each 7 days till all fleas are gone.

The salt will dehydrate the fleas and kill them. But consuming salt can be harmful for canine and cats, so preserve them away from any salted areas till it’s vacuumed.

All About Dandruff

If the white specks in your canine or cat’s fur aren’t uniformly formed or sticky, then it’s more than likely dandruff.

Dandruff is attributable to irritated pores and skin, however there are various components that may irritate the pores and skin. There are environmental components just like the climate and outdated age that may trigger the pores and skin to turn into irritated. But dandruff can be attributable to pores and skin infections and even fleas themselves.

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What Does Dandruff Look Like?

To affirm that the white specks in your pet’s coat aren’t fleas, search for small, skinny flecks that persist with the fur. It will typically develop in areas your canine or cat can simply scratch or chew.

How To Treat Dandruff

Like flea eggs, we advocate speaking to your vet about what could be accomplished to reduce the irritation in your canine’s pores and skin. While dandruff itself isn’t harmful, the irritated pores and skin that causes it may turn into contaminated if not handled.

You may also have to completely groom your pet transferring ahead, ensuring to wash the filth and dirt out of their fur frequently. Your vet will more than likely advocate shampoos that can work nice on your pet in addition to a great bathing schedule. You also needs to spend money on a brush that’s applicable on your canine’s coat

Protecting in opposition to fleas and dander is particularly vital because the climate will get hotter and your canine makes use of their premium pet door extra steadily. Check out these different summertime pet care ideas:

  • The Best Pet Doors for Vacation Homes
  • How to Reduce Kitty Litter Smell
  • How to Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash