Dog Flea Control
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Dog Flea Treatment
Stride Pest Control provides dog flea control for homes and businesses across Central Texas, where the true dog flea is a close relative of the cat flea but far less common, since almost every flea found on a dog is actually a cat flea. Dog fleas are hard to tell apart on your own because they look nearly identical to cat fleas and share the same life cycle in the home and yard.
Stride treats dog fleas through the Stride Forward integrated pest management process, using the same proven approach as for cat fleas: an insect growth regulator that breaks the life cycle, with the pet, home, and yard treated together.
Every treatment is backed by a same-day service option and a satisfaction guarantee, and the products we use are odorless and colorless once dry. Dog fleas are one of the fleas Stride treats, covered under our broader flea control and general pest control services.
Dog Fleas In Central Texas
The dog flea is the cat flea’s close cousin, and the surprising truth is that it is rarely the flea actually found on dogs in North America.
| Trait | Dog Flea |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Very similar to the cat flea, with differences only an expert can see |
| Hosts | Dogs and other animals |
| How common | Much less common than the cat flea in North America |
| The confusion | The flea on your dog is almost always a cat flea, not a dog flea |
| Life cycle | The same egg, larva, pupa, adult cycle in the environment |
| Health risks | Flea-allergy dermatitis and tapeworm, like the cat flea |
Because the dog flea is so similar to the cat flea and far less common, the practical approach is the same either way, which the Texas A&M AgriLife flea guide reflects.
Signs You Have Dog Fleas
The signs match fleas in general, seen mostly on dogs:
- Dogs scratching, biting, or licking constantly.
- Flea dirt in the coat and bedding.
- Small, fast fleas jumping off the dog or the floor.
- Bites on people around the ankles and lower legs.
- Hair loss or irritated skin on the dog from scratching.
Are Dog Fleas Dangerous?
Dog fleas carry the same risks as cat fleas. They cause flea-allergy dermatitis, one of the most common skin problems in dogs, and they can pass tapeworm to a pet that swallows one while grooming.
Like other fleas, they are mainly a pet-health and comfort concern, and a heavy infestation multiplies quickly once it reaches the carpet and yard. Because they are so hard to distinguish from cat fleas, the treatment and the risks are effectively the same.
How We Get Rid of Dog Fleas
Stride treats dog fleas through the five-step Stride Forward process, the same life-cycle approach used for all fleas:
- Inspect. We check the dog’s resting areas, the carpet, and the shaded yard where flea larvae develop.
- Identify. We confirm fleas and how far they have spread, since dog and cat fleas are treated the same.
- Recommend. We coordinate with your vet on the dog’s flea preventive and walk through vacuuming and laundering.
- Treat. We treat the interior with a growth regulator to stop eggs and larvae from developing, and treat the shaded yard where fleas breed.
- Evaluate. We re-treat on a follow-up visit, since pupae keep hatching for weeks.
Our GreenPro certification guides this reduced-risk approach.
How to Keep Dog Fleas Away
Prevention is the same as for any flea, centered on the dog and the environment:
- Keep the dog on a vet-recommended flea preventive year-round.
- Vacuum regularly to remove eggs and larvae.
- Wash the dog’s bedding on hot regularly.
- Mow and reduce shade and moisture in the yard.
- Discourage wildlife and strays that carry fleas onto the property.
Dog Flea Control Frequently Asked Questions
Is the flea on my dog actually a dog flea?
Usually not. Despite the name, almost every flea found on a dog in North America is a cat flea. The true dog flea is uncommon here, though it looks nearly identical.
How do you tell a dog flea from a cat flea?
They are nearly identical, and telling them apart takes an expert looking at fine details under magnification. For treatment purposes it does not matter, since both are handled the same way.
Are dog fleas treated the same as cat fleas?
Yes. Because the two are so similar and share the same life cycle, the treatment is identical: a growth regulator indoors and in the yard, with the pet on a vet preventive.
Where do dog fleas come from?
Like cat fleas, they are carried in by other animals and wildlife and develop in carpet, bedding, and shaded soil, so the whole environment, not just the dog, has to be treated.
THE STRIDE FORWARD PROGRAM
Our Strategic ECO-BASED Protocol
Stride Forward is our Integrated Pest Management program where we partner with our clients in the long-term removal and prevention of pests. Keeping your property free of unwanted insects and rodents works best when we work together.
The program combines habitat manipulation, biological control, cultural behavior changes, and the targeted use of products designed to repel or eradicate pests. Our approach follows five steps, with non-chemical methods prioritized before any product application.
Our Certifications & Awards
Stride Pest Control holds QualityPro and GreenPro certifications through the NPMA’s Foundation for Professional Pest Management, and fewer than 3% of pest control companies nationwide hold both. QualityPro requires background checks on every service member, a drug-free workplace, and 16 standards that exceed state and federal requirements.
Our Austin and Round Rock office operates under Texas Department of Agriculture license TPCL #667951, with Burton Johnston as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our San Antonio office operates under TPCL #827449, with Alex Randall as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our office manager, Michael Honeycutt, is an Associate Certified Entomologist through the Entomological Society of America.
Founded in 2013, we have served nearly 12,000 customers across Central Texas and hold a 4.9-star rating across 2,400+ reviews with an A+ from the BBB.
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Stride Pest Control received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars
based on 2,400+ reviews.
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4.9 stars across 2,400+ reviews | QualityPro certified | Satisfaction guaranteed