If your dog is scratching his skin more than usual, it might be because his fur is infested with parasites. How to get rid of little black bugs on dogs? You will need the right tools, patience, and a lot of hard work.
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If you have a dog, you can understand that life with them is beautiful, but it isn’t easy. We mean that taking care of a dog is no less than raising a baby, and it hurts to see them in pain or discomfort.
So, when your dog starts scratching its skin continuously or starts getting red patches on its skin, it is a matter of concern for you as a parent. However, most dog owners know that constant itching and irritation can also mean flea infestation. It is pretty standard in dogs, but it is in no way a beautiful sight!
So, when you notice tiny black bugs crawling your pup’s skin, it is time to get rid of them using the methods mentioned in this article.
What Are these Little Black Bugs on My Dog?
It is never good news to find black bugs on your dog, even when you aren’t sure what they are! The scurrying, jumping, and flat-on-the-sides creatures can be fleas, ticks, lice, mites, or some other parasite sucking blood and nutrients out of your furry friend’s body.
Before you throw your hands in the air, we would like to confirm that most parasites are pretty easy to wash away from your dog’s body.
However, it is essential to educate yourself on the topic and learn which category of parasites these bugs belong to, so you can treat your dog aptly. Here’s the list of most common ‘black bugs’ that are found on dogs:
Fleas
The most common ‘black bugs’ on dogs’ skin are fleas, about 1/8th of an inch long. It can be tough to find them on your dog’s fur, but you can detect their presence via their poop which looks like black sand on your puppy’s fur.
Some of the signs that show whether your dog has fleas include a lot of scratching, especially during summers, irritated skin, scabs, bumps on the skin that result from a flea bite, etc. So, if you notice your dog scratching his skin way more than usual, it is an excellent time to check for the ‘bugs’!
Ticks
Ticks look pretty similar to fleas, only a bit tinier. It is essential to get rid of ticks as soon as possible since they can give diseases such as Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more to animals.
Moreover, they can also be transferred to humans from animals, making them the worst kind of parasites. Their primary role is also to suck out the blood from the host’s body, which includes dogs, cats, and humans.
Mites
Mites are often referred to as ‘walking dandruff,’ considering they are so tiny that they are hardly visible to the naked eye and thus, look like dandruff. Thus, they look comparatively whiter than ticks and fleas. Unlike fleas, they stroll in the dog’s body but can cause a lot of itching.
Lice
Even though lice are not a famous parasite found in North American dogs, they still are a part of the ‘bug culture.’ They are usually black or brown and are visible.
They leave their eggs, known as ‘nits’ in the fur, and are highly contagious to dogs. They also cause a lot of itching, but thank goodness, they are easy to get rid too!
How To Get Rid of Tiny Black Bugs on the Dog?
Now that you know about the minor black bugs on your dog’s skin, it is time to get rid of them! Thus, here are some of the most common yet best methods to get quick relief from these bugs.
Spotting Bugs
The first step to getting rid of tiny black bugs from your dog’s body is to be able to spot them first! Since they are the tiniest creatures, it can be challenging to find them quickly, and so, here are some ways to do it-
- Use a flea comb on your pet and run it deeply in his fur. If you find black dots, also known as flea dirt, he has fleas.
- Rub your dog’s fur in a white towel. If black bugs are roaming in his fur, they will come out. Soak them in a soapy solution before they scur or jump out of the towel.
Treating them
Once you know that black bugs infest your dog’s fur, you should also become well aware that wherever your dog sits or lies down, there will be eggs, larvae, and pupae.
So, it would help if you found quick ways to get rid of fleas, mites, lice, and other parasites, as soon as possible. So, what exactly should you do to treat the infestation? Try the following methods.
Wash your pet regularly
Start giving your regular dog baths to get rid of the fleas completely. Use natural flea control shampoo to kill the fleas so that they stop scurrying when you comb your dog. Remember, it may take 2-3 months for your dog to completely get rid of these parasites.
Don’t lose patience; continue with the bathing ritual, change their sheets, and clean all the places your pup likes to lie down. Also, vacuum your entire house in the morning and evening to leave no sign of black bugs on your dog and in the house!
Daily check for bugs
It is recommended to check for the bugs twice a day if you want to get rid of them sooner than later. Check your dog from head to tail and immediately remove any flea or tick that comes your way!
Also, do not forget to check them under your puppy’s tail and ears since most parasites make their home in these places!
Consult your vet
You must consult your vet regarding this problem, even if it is pretty standard in dogs. If nothing else, the vet can teach you specific brushing techniques that would help you get rid of the fleas quicker than usual.
They will also suggest some more safe yet effective methods to make the parasites disappear from your dog’s body. Many vets also prescribe certain medicines or sprays that quickly remove ticks and fleas from your pet’s skin.
Put them on flea medication
Again, consult your vet for the same, and most certainly, they will put your dog on flea control medication.
While most flea medications are safe to use on your dog, if your dog is overly sensitive to external products, they might exhibit specific side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, stomach ache, vomiting, dullness, lethargy, etc.
If you notice your dog acting funny after taking the medication, it is probably best to talk to your vet since they will create a protocol or a management plan to get rid of the bug as soon as possible without harming your dog.
Use combs/tweezers
Even though combing and tweezing may take time, they are the safest and most natural ways of getting rid of parasites from your dog’s skin. There is no further explanation required, but you can learn some professional tweezing or brushing techniques from your vet to accelerate the process.
Take them to a groomer
Your dog might not like it, but it is advised to take it to a dog groomer to eliminate excessive and unwanted hair that would carry quite a few bugs. Grooming your dog is another way of cleaning them.
So, booking an appointment once or twice (if your pup has parasites lurking in his skin) is highly recommended because it is effective in getting rid of the unwanted tiny creatures scurrying in your pup’s skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the black bugs crawling on my dog?
It could be fleas, ticks, mites or lice.
The black bugs crawling on your dog are usually fleas or ticks, and however, they can also be mites, lice, or some other parasites that may or may not be visible to the eyes. It is essential to take them to the vet to recognize them and thus, allow the treatment to get rid of them as soon as possible.
How do I get rid of tiny bugs crawling on my dog?
Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial to remove them.
There are several natural ways to get rid of minor bugs on your dog’s skin. You should give them regular baths, brush their fur, groom them regularly, consult your vet about flea control medication and other healthy ways to get rid of fleas and ticks from your dog’s body.
You should also vacuum the entire house daily to remove fleas and other parasites lurking in the corners, especially where your dog rests or lies down. It will take about a month or two to completely rid your dog of minor bugs depending on how consistent you are with the treatment.
How can I kill fleas on my dog?
There are flea shampoos and medications such as lime sulfur baths.
You can start with flea control shampoo for your dog and regularly bathe them. Cleanse his beddings, toys, and other products with soapy water or flea control spray. Ask your vet for advice and techniques to remove fleas quickly from his body.
Also, give your pup all the medication that the vet has recommended. Consult your vet first and follow natural ways to kill fleas in case of any side effects. It is also essential to brush your dog’s hair regularly to kill new fleas and old ones.
A Few Final Words
Even though dogs are pretty standard to become exposed to parasites like fleas and ticks, it can be somewhat troubling. From irritation to itching, the scurrying and jumping of these black bugs can cause a lot of discomfort to your furry friend. So, thank goodness that there are both natural and medical solutions to get rid of these tiny creatures.
Thank you for reading, we hope this answers your questions. You might also like to read about treatments for fleas and ticks such as lime sulfur baths and Frontline.