Prepare for combing: Have a small bowl of warm, soapy water nearby to drown any fleas you catch. Start at the head: Begin combing behind the ears and around the neck area, working the comb with the grain of the fur. Comb systematically: Work your way down the back, then check the belly, under the legs, and the hindquarters, including the base of the tail. Pay extra attention to these areas where fleas like to hide. Keep the comb close to the skin: Ensure the comb is as close to the skin as possible with each stroke to catch fleas and flea dirt. Clean the comb: After every few strokes, dip the comb in the soapy water to drown any fleas to prevent them from jumping back on your pet. Check for flea dirt: Flea dirt looks like small, black specks. To confirm it is flea dirt, place the specks on a wet paper towel—they will leave a reddish-brown streak from the digested blood.