Are Cat And Dog Fleas The Same Thing

While cat fleas have adapted to living on both dog and cat blood dog fleas have not.

Are cat and dog fleas the same thing. However their differences are best distinguished through the use of a microscope. They produce eggs that hatch into larvae. Instead they ride on the cats until they can find a canine to feed on. Their body is divided into three tagma.

Fleas are small black to brownish coloured insects without wings as a result of their evolution as external parasites. No they are different species. The cat flea ctenocephalides felis and the dog flea ctenocephalides canis are different flea species but they look very much alike. In fact many are considered a part of the family.

However one thing that dog and cat lovers hate are the fleas that ultimately find their way onto their beloved pet and into the home. Presently most dogs suffering from fleas have feline fleas. I wouldn t say dog fleas are easier to get rid of it s just that most. Although dog fleas might live in the fur of cats for several days they do not bite the cats.

Fleas bite any warm blooded mammal including humans as well as cats and dogs. While cat fleas ctenocephalides felis and dog fleas ctenocephalides cannis are two different species most of the fleas found on dogs are actually cat fleas. Children cannot pass lice to pets and similarly cats or dogs with lice cannot pass them along to people. Cat fleas can develop at an alarming rate.

However the feline fleas have adapted to be able to live on canine blood as well. Dog fleas will only bite dogs but cat fleas will bite anything so they are the most common. They have stout and spiny legs adapted for leaping and their piercing and sucking mouthparts are used in sucking blood from the host. This means that the fleas that are found on your dog cannot harm your cat.

Cat fleas ctenocephalides felis are a different species than dog fleas ctenocephalides canis. If your pet has fleas you may find bites on yourself as well. However in more than 90 of cases the cat flea is found on cats and dogs 2. Despite their name cat fleas are capable of affecting dogs and an array of other animals as well as humans.

Their differences can really only be seen when under a microscope so to the naked eye they look the same. Human fleas vs dog fleas vs cat fleas. Start by using one of the products or methods above to get rid of fleas in your lawn which will help prevent your pet from being exposed and bringing the fleas into your home.