Cat Flea

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in association with domestic cats, dogs, and other mammals, often living in carpets, bedding, and floor cracks of homes.

Diet & Feeding

Adults are obligate hematophagous parasites that feed on the blood of mammals (primarily cats and dogs); larvae feed on organic debris and adult flea feces.

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are wingless, saltatorial insects capable of jumping long distances to reach a host. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and spend most of their adult lives on the host.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include painful bites, allergic dermatitis, and transmission of pathogens such as tapeworms and murine typhus. They offer no significant ecosystem benefits and are considered household pests.

Identified on: 6/25/2026