Cat Flea

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in residential settings, specifically on pets, in carpets, bedding, and upholstered furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Adults are hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals (primarily cats and dogs, though they will bite humans). Larvae consume organic debris and adult flea feces.

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are wingless jumpers capable of leaping long distances to reach a host. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and can remain dormant in the pupal stage for several months until a host is detected.

Risks & Benefits

They are significant pests that cause irritation, allergic dermatitis, and can transmit pathogens like Bartonella henselae (cat scratch fever) and the double-pored dog tapeworm. They offer no significant ecological benefits in human environments.

Identified on: 1/6/2026