In this article you will know the answer to the query “Why Does My Dog Flea Bite Me?“.
Wouldnot it be nice if dogs could talk?
The problem with dogs is that we do not always understand what they’re trying to communicate and they have various ways of expressing themselves.
When you walk in and your dog starts wagging his tail its not hard to figure out what hes trying to tell you.
You can tell hes happy to see you.
You may be wondering ‘Why does my dog flea bite me?’. This is a little more complicated than you think.
There can be many reasons why a flea bites a dog and its owner.
Many of them are good but you also have to consider the possibility that your pet may have fleas or that he is bored.
Check out the many reasons why your dog might be biting you with fleas.
What is flea biting?
The term “flea biting” is very descriptive of a dogs behavior when it gnaws at his skin to relieve an itchy bite caused by a flea. It may also be that the dog is trying to catch the annoying insect.
Another way to describe this action is:
Nibbling
Its not a true bite so its not real. Dogs nibble at their skin with their front teeth whether it is theirs or yours. To avoid puncturing the skin they take great care not to use their pointed teeth.
Baby biting
Flea biting is similar to the playful bites puppies use with each other or their mothers. Despite the fact that the whole point of the whole thing is to not hurt anyone they do not use the full force of their jaw.
Why does my dog flea bite me?
There are some pet owners who find flea biting a bit irritating maybe not the act itself. Maybe it is because they do not understand why their dog would do such a silly thing. There are many reasons why your dog keeps biting you with fleas such as:
Habit
It is possible that your dog developed a flea problem at some point in his life. To remove the pests and relieve itching he might have nibbled at his skin for hours. Biting fleas has a calming effect on the skin and this might be something he does.u.
Flea infestation
If you’re not sure your dog ever had fleas now would be a good time to take a look at his skin. Even if your dog has just a couple of fleas you may have trouble locating them especially if its coat is long and shaggy.
Do not ignore possible insect bites even if you do not see any fleas. It may be a sign that your dog is trying to get rid of the nasty insects by getting rashes.
Lets start with a good bath for your dog. It will reduce itching at the very least. Get in touch with your veterinarian to find out how to remove fleas from your dog. Flea collars are the easiest way to send fleas running but your vet might also suggest other remedies.
Grooming
It is possible for your dog to assume you have a flea problem as well if he has fleas. When he bites fleas he does you a favor. You are groomed by your dog and he is probably expecting you to be thankful not annoyed by this strange behavior. This is a common behavior among dogs. In case you have more than one dog you may have seen them grooming each other. If your dog has fleas or not he may bite a friend in the park who does not have them.
Cats do the same thing by the way.
Affection
What more proof do you need that the dog cares for you than the fact that he is trying to do something nice for you? The way he expresses affection to you is by taking care of you. While trying to work on your laptop you may find it quite irritating if the dogs flea bites your leg. But the dog does not see it that way. He figures you’ll like biting fleas as well since it soothes him.
Teething
The constant nibbling on your puppys or your skin may be an indication hes teething and this action helps reduce the pain. Whether it bothers you or not you should ask your vet about pain remedies for teething dogs.
Playing
You may have missed your dogs first few weeks of life if you purchased him from a breeder. Its normal for puppies to nibble when playing. They do this to develop their social skills. It is not uncommon for them to spend hours tugging at each others ears muzzles or tails. This may also happen with their mom. She teaches her young that it is not okay to hurt her or their siblings. The mother will push the puppy away if he bites too hard even though he does not have teeth at the time. Flea biting can bring back fond memories for your dog of his formative years when he played with puppies so much. Your dog no longer plays with puppies but with you as a family member.
Boredom
It is possible for your dog to be bored if it bites fleas. In the absence of humans dogs find various ways to relieve boredom including licking or biting at their paws. In extreme cases a bored dog will lick himself raw. At least it gives him something to do even if it does not give him any pleasure.
You should consider the possibility that your dog may be bored if he does not appear to have fleas. If your pet seems bored you should look for other factors.
Its clear that the dog had nothing better to do when you get home when you find a big mess.
You may be digging in the garden and tipping trash cans at the same time. When a bored dog wants your attention he will do anything to get it. Biting fleas is one way to make you notice him. If your dog is bored he or she will cling to you and follow you around the house until you get the message. When you’re tired after a long days work and just want to rest on the couch the poor thing will start nibbling at your hand discreetly. Rather than bother you outright he just wants to remind you that hes there and that he has nothing fun to do.
It is important not to ignore such behavior as boredom may lead to anxiety and depression.
How to stop your dog from flea biting you?
Before you can stop him from being such a nuisance you must understand why he does that. It is important to keep in mind that teaching your dog not to flea bite without addressing an underlying issue such as fleas or boredom will only lead to further problems.
You can help your dog break this habit by following these tips.
Get rid of the skin problems
- You need to make sure that your dog isnot infested with fleas if he nibbles at his own skin and yours. Ensure that there are no other skin irritations such as rashes caused by allergies.
- You can prevent fleas from colonizing his fur by combing it regularly
- Try skin grooming your dog once a week by dry bathing. Check with your vet what products you should use if your dog has sensitive skin.
- Make sure your dogs paws are clean by using pet-friendly wipes
Relieve boredom
Provide your dog with more mental and physical stimulation if he or she does this out of boredom. Increase the length of his daily walks and take him to a park where he can play with other dogs and get more exercise. If your dog spends a lot of time alone you should buy him some smart toys like puzzle feeders or a nice juicy bone from time to time. Kong toys are great because you can fill them with frozen treats and he will be entertained for a long time.
Consult an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer.
Train your dog to stop flea biting you
In order to train your dog not to nibble at your skin constantly when he flea bites you out of affection you should be very tactful. Avoid hurting his feelings.
Do not pull your hands away from your face
You may send the wrong signal if you move suddenly. The dog might think that you are playing with him or his natural instincts might be triggered. He might take it as an invitation to pursue you more vigorously if you pull your hand abruptly away from him. Use your discretion. Show him you’re not happy when he bites your fleas by keeping calm and leaving the room.
Don’t yell at your dog
Yelling at him will only confuse and scare him since hes not doing anything wrong in his view.
Don’t hit your dog
The act of hitting your dog is never acceptable. It is more likely that he will play rough next time and bite harder. Physical punishment only promotes fear and aggression. If you try other more aggressive tactics he will get the message that you do not like flea biting
Use positive reinforcement
Dogs are best trained using positive reinforcement. Gently pull your dogs muzzle apart. To prevent his flea from biting you wrap your hand around his muzzle and pat him on the head. If he does not nibble at your skin use a soothing voice to convey your preference. If the dog lies down quietly and does not bite you anymore release his muzzle and give him a tasty treat.
Conclusion
When your dog bites you try to understand why hes doing it. The most common reason he does it is to play with you or because he loves you. This behavior is not to be blamed or punished.
You should get rid of fleas on your dog to reduce the likelihood that it will nip at you or himself.
Take it seriously if its a sign of boredom. Find new ways to stimulate your mind and body.
The last thing to remember is that dogs explore the world with their mouths. You should not be concerned about him nibbling as its a natural occurrence for him. Consider getting him to chew on a new chew toy so that he will leave you alone.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
