Why Does My Chihuahua Keep Getting Fleas?

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Is your little friend scratching a lot? If your Chihuahua has fleas, it’s not only uncomfortable for them but can also lead to other health problems. 

Keep reading to learn more about why your Chihuahua might have fleas and how you can help get rid of them!

Meet the Flea:

Fleas are a major nuisance to their hosts, causing itching and irritation. 

The flea is a small, wingless insect that feeds on the blood of mammals and birds. The flea is an external parasite, living off the host’s blood. A single flea can consume up to 15 times its own body weight in blood every day.

A flea’s body is laterally compressed, meaning it is flattened from side to side. 

This gives the flea an advantage when moving through the fur of its host. The flea’s legs are long and well-adapted for jumping. A flea can jump up to 200 times its own body length.

The flea’s mouthparts are adapted for piercing the skin and sucking blood. The flea has sharp, saw-like teeth that cut through the skin. Once the flea has penetrated the skin, it injects saliva into the wound. The saliva contains anticoagulants that keep the blood flowing.

Fleas are a common problem for pet owners. Dogs and cats can pick up fleas from the environment, or from other animals. 

Flea infestations are difficult to get rid of and often require professional treatment.

How to Spot the Fleas on Your Chihuahua

If you have a Chihuahua, it’s important to know how to spot fleas. These parasites can cause your dog a great deal of discomfort and may even lead to anemia if left untreated. 

Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that will let you know if your Chihuahua has fleas.

Some dogs will scratch a lot while some will have no reaction at all to the flea bites. If you see your Chihuahua scratching or biting itself more than usual, take a close look at its skin. 

You may be able to see small black dots, which are the fleas themselves. You may also see flea dirt, which is actually the dried blood that the fleas have sucked from your dog. 

If you suspect that your Chihuahua has fleas, take them to the vet for treatment. There are a number of effective products on the market that will get rid of the fleas and help your dog feel better.

Fleas are Common in Dogs

There are many different types of fleas, but the most common type of flea found on dogs and cats in the United States is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. 

Fleas are small (about 1/16” long), dark brown insects that feed on the blood of animals. They are very agile, and can jump great distances – up to 200 times their own body length! 

Their bites can be very painful and they can cause anemia in young animals or those with weak immune systems. Fleas can also be carriers of other parasites, such as tapeworms.

Chihuahuas and Fleas

Chihuahuas are especially susceptible to flea irritations because of their small size. A single flea can cause a lot of irritation and can make your Chihuahua miserable. If you think your Chihuahua has fleas, there are some things you can do to help get rid of them.

Give your Chihuahua a bath using a mild flea shampoo. This will help to kill any fleas on your dog’s body. You may also want to use a flea comb to remove any fleas or eggs from your Chihuahua’s fur.

There are also many over-the-counter flea products that can be effective in treating fleas on Chihuahuas.

Still Fleas?

There are a few reasons why your Chihuahua may keep getting fleas, even if you’re doing everything you can to prevent them. 

It could be that the flea treatment you’re using isn’t effective against the type of fleas in your area. If you’re unsure why your dog keeps getting fleas, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian for help. 

One common cause of this can be that your chihuahua is getting reinfected because there’s a permanent source of these little monsters somewhere in or around your house. 

How to Cope with Flea Infestations in Your Home

There are many places that fleas can hide in your home. They can often be found in carpeting, on furniture, and in any cracks or crevices where they can get access to their preferred blood source: pets and humans.

To help prevent an infestation, vacuum regularly and keep an eye out for signs of fleas, such as flea dirt (black specks that look like pepper) or bites on your skin. If you’re dealing with a flea infestation in your home, there are a few things you can do to help get rid of the problem. 

Here are some tips to help you eliminate fleas from your home:

1. Start by vacuuming all of the carpeted areas in your home. This will help to remove any fleas that are currently residing in your carpets. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag after you’re done so that the fleas don’t just end up back in your home.

2. Wash all of your bedding, including sheets, blankets, and pillowcases, in hot water. This will kill any fleas that may be hiding in your bedding.

3. Use a flea spray on any upholstered furniture in your home, such as couches and chairs. This will help to kill any fleas that may be residing in these pieces of furniture.

4. Give your pets a bath using flea shampoo. This will help to kill any fleas that may be residing on your pets.

5. Treat your home with a Flea Bomb. This will help to kill any fleas that are present in your home, as well as their eggs and larvae.

If you have a serious infestation, you may need to call in a professional pest control company to help you get rid of the problem as they will have the proper products and equipment to do so.

Fleas Had Caused Plague in the Past!

Fleas have been a problem for humans throughout history. In the Middle Ages, fleas were responsible for spreading the bubonic plague, which killed millions of people. 

Today, fleas are still a major nuisance, but they are no longer a deadly threat to humankind.

They may also carry other diseases. They’re a nuisance to you, your family, and your pets and can enter your home on clothing, pets, or other animals, or they can be brought in by wild animals such as rodents.

Treating fleas in your home is important to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from these pests.

Have you ever had a problem with fleas? If so, how did you deal with them?