What Are Fleas and How Do Pets Get Them!

What Are Fleas and How do pets get fleas?

A flea is a type of parasitic insect that survives by consuming the blood of a warm-blooded host such as humans and different types of animals. There are over 2,500 species of flea, with some species named after the creatures that typically inhabit (e.g. dog fleas, cat fleas, rabbit fleas). Despite this naming convention, most fleas are not species-specific and can infest more than one host species.

Measuring 3-4mm in length (about the size of a sesame seed), fleas are brown in colour. Rather than travel by flight, they use their strong claws to leap distances of up to 150 times their body length. A flea’s head is surrounded by sharp spikes and its mouthparts have perfectly evolved to pierce skin and suck blood.

If a flea lands on your cat or dog, it will start feeding within five minutes and can keep sucking blood for up to 2.5 hours. A female flea is capable of consuming almost fifteen times its body weight in blood. A single flea can live on your dog or cat for up to two months. Fleas give birth abundantly and a female can lay up to 50 eggs in one day (that’s 1,500 in a lifetime!)

How Do Dogs & Cats Get Fleas?

Most cats and dogs will carry fleas at some point in their life. Animals can catch fleas through their environment or encounters with other animals. However, given the sheer abundance of fleas and how easy it is to track them into the house, even inside cats are at risk. However, it is worth noting that fleas prefer warm temperatures with high humidity, so pets are particularly susceptible to fleas in the summertime.

If you have questions or would like to talk to our in-house vet please contact them here!

Or visit our flea treatment page here!