Cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is one of the most widespread fleas in the world. It’s primary host are domestic cats, but they infest dogs and some other carnivores (meat eating) mammals too.

How cat fleas reproduce?

Cat flea life cycle has 4 stages: egg, larva, pupal and adult stage. Eggs are layed by females directly on a host. After the eggs dry they fall off the host and rest in the near proximity of the host, usualy sleeping place filled with hair. Eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on organic substances, such as dried blood coming from adult flea fecals. Larvaes also hides from light. Next stage is cocooning and then pupal stage. Pupals don’t emerge as young fleas until near presence of potentinal host. Newly evolved fleas jump to new host seconds after emerging from their cocoons and begin feeding on host.

Flea effect on cats

Flea infestations are most devastating for small cats, as they can lose so much body fluid due to flea feeding, that they dehydrate. On adult cats fleas can cause less harm, unless cats becomes allergic to substances in flea saliva. Fleas can also transmiss some diseases.