Cat Fleas

Ctenocephalides felis

Life Cycle and Location

Image of a Cat Flea Under A Microscope

Adult Cat Fleas are obligate ectoparasites meaning that they must remain on their host to survive. The adult fleas stay on their host of choice, taking frequent blood meals for the rest of their adult lifespan. The eggs however are deposited near or on the skin of the host and will fall off or drop to the ground near to where the animal rests. Once these eggs hatch they will eat the detritus of the host as well as the feces of adult fleas until they progress to the adult stage.


Do They Only Feed on Cats?

Image of Cat Flea Larvae in Food Substrate

Unlike their name, cat fleas are not specific to cats. Traditionally they were associated with cats but over the years, along with research, they have been found to have a wide range of hosts. Essentially they will feed on any warm blooded animal from cats to birds and even humans.


Do They Carry Disease?

Image of Cat flea eggs in food substrate

Cat fleas harbor a surprising range of diseases of which can be quite severe. They are a vector for diseases such as Plague (rare cases) and Murine Typhus. They are also the root cause of Cat-Scratch Fever disease in which they transmit a parasite to cats who ingest the fleas feces and then transmit the parasite to humans through biting. Lastly, they are a vector/intermediate host for Dog Tape Worms as well as cause Flea Allergy Dermatitis in dogs.