Dog Flea

Natural Habitat

Found globally; typically lives on host animals like dogs and cats, or in carpets, bedding, and floor cracks where larvae develop

Diet & Feeding

Adults are hematophagous, feeding on the blood of mammals (primarily dogs), while larvae feed on organic debris and 'flea dirt' (adult fecal matter)

Behavior Patterns

Flightless but capable of jumping long distances; adults spend most of their time on a host. They undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, and the potential transmission of tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) or bacterial infections; they offer no known ecological benefits to humans.

Identified on: 6/14/2026