How can you tell if your dog has fleas?

Dogs with fleas tend to exhibit symptoms such as excessive scratching, restlessness, head shaking, or frequently licking and chewing certain areas of the body. Fleas can also be seen jumping on dogs in particularly severe infestations.

One way to check for fleas on a dog is by placing the dog on its back and looking at the skin around the groin and belly and under the front legs. Dogs with fleas may have red, bumpy skin or blood and dirt in infested areas. Another way to check for fleas is by running a flea comb through the dog's coat. Flea combs pull fleas out from underneath the fur.