Are Cat And Dog Fleas The Same Thing

Although dog fleas might live in the fur of cats for several days they do not bite the cats.

Are cat and dog fleas the same thing.

In fact many are considered a part of the family. Instead they ride on the cats until they can find a canine to feed on. 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. Dog fleas will only bite dogs but cat fleas will bite anything so they are the most common.

Dog fleas are different from cat fleas or other types of fleas for that matter as fleas are species specific. However in more than 90 of cases the cat flea is found on cats and dogs 2. This means that the fleas that are found on your dog cannot harm your cat. The cat flea ctenocephalides felis and the dog flea ctenocephalides canis are different flea species but they look very much alike.

Fleas bite any warm blooded mammal including humans as well as cats and dogs. However the feline fleas have adapted to be able to live on canine blood as well. No they are different species. While cat fleas have adapted to living on both dog and cat blood dog fleas have not.

Presently most dogs suffering from fleas have feline fleas. Human fleas vs dog fleas vs cat fleas. In contrast lice are species specific. 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.

When considering cat fleas vs dog fleas chances are you re dealing with cat fleas which are much more common regardless of which type of pet you have. Despite their name cat fleas are capable of affecting dogs and an array of other animals as well as humans. Cat fleas ctenocephalides felis are a different species than dog fleas ctenocephalides canis. They have stout and spiny legs adapted for leaping and their piercing and sucking mouthparts are used in sucking blood from the host.

Their body is divided into three tagma. However their differences are best distinguished through the use of a microscope. 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. Fleas are small black to brownish coloured insects without wings as a result of their evolution as external parasites.

Their differences can really only be seen when under a microscope so to the naked eye they look the same. If your pet has fleas you may find bites on yourself as well. Cat fleas can develop at an alarming rate.