Are Cat Fleas Dangerous to Humans?
WouterCat fleas are dangerous for both pets and people, and can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Adult fleas hatch out of their pupal cocoons one month after eggs are laid. Once they have been exposed to a host’s body, they begin feeding on the blood of the host. Once dislodged, they usually die within two days.
Humans do not become infected by fleas unless they have been infested by other pets. Fleas only attach to animals for 10 to 25 minutes before they begin to feed on their host. Humans do not spread cat fleas, but humans do get fleas from other pets and animals. Cats are the main source of transmission of fleas, but it is possible for your family to be infected.
Adult fleas are wingless insects that live on the fur of dogs and cats. They are about one-eighth of an inch long and are dark red or black. Their hind legs are modified to allow them to jump up to eight inches in vertical and sixteen inches horizontally. Their bodies are very thin and are covered with spines. The spines help them move through the host’s hair and prevent them from being pulled during grooming.
Humans are less likely to get flea bites from dogs than from cats, but they are still dangerous. Depending on the flea species and the type of flea, humans may get sick or have allergic reactions. The most common fleas in the U.S. are cat fleas, but there are other types of fleas too, including dog fleas.
