While fleas are a common cause for a dog to scratch and itch, there are many other things that can cause a dog to itch.
Sometimes the situation is such that the dog has no fleas and is itching because of other factors.
People often assume that fleas are the cause of the itching (pruritus). However, there are often are a number of things that interact with each other to cause the itch.
While a dog may be scratching, itching and chewing because fleas are biting at him, he also could be scratching and itching because his skin is irritated and/or dry. Allergens can cause itching in dogs. Most often, dog itching is from a COMBINATION OF DRY SKIN, FLEAS, ALLERGENS, and IRRITATION. The dog has dry skin, allergens get on the dog, a flea bites, and then the skin gets irritated. Mites can also irritate the skin and cause itching.
However, sometimes the dog actually does have fleas but the owner is unaware of this fact. It is hard to see the fleas on a dog and someone may believe their dog doesn't have a flea problem when in fact it does. Flea dirt (tiny dark specks on dog) can often be seen on the dog even if you can't see the fleas.
If your dog is already on a flea medication, and is still itching, that is a good indication that the cause of the itching is from something other than fleas. However, if you just gave the dog the flea medication, it can take a while for The medication to take effect. Also, after the medicine does take effect, irritation from scratching from before the flea medication was administered can cause the dog to continue to scratch.
Please read my article THE MIRACLE CURE FOR DOG ITCH for more information and solutions for dog itching.
This article (c) Copyright 2017 by Mister Dave and The Fastest Poodle