Can Fleas Eat a Dog Alive?
WouterThe first step in reducing the chances of an infestation with fleas is to vacuum frequently. This helps kill any fleas that have emerged from cocoons, which are present in carpeting and other areas. In addition, you should also thoroughly vacuum your home to eliminate any flea eggs and larvae. However, it may not be enough to kill all the adult fleas. In some cases, these fleas may have gotten into your dog’s fur from a previous host.
Once the fleas have found a host, they emerge from their cocoon. They can detect their host’s body heat, vibration, and carbon dioxide levels and then lay their eggs on that host. Eggs do not stick to the host’s fur, and most will fall off within a few hours of hatching. These newly emerged adult fleas will then feed on their host and produce more eggs.
Fleas live for 17 to 26 days in a dog’s fur. After they feed on the blood of the host animal, the adult fleas will lay their eggs. These eggs are non-sticky and will fall off within a few hours. These eggs will then continue to develop in the animal’s home, accumulating in the places where it rests. After a couple of weeks, the eggs will hatch into larvae and remain in the home. The flea life cycle lasts between 17 to 26 days and the adult fleas will die within a week or two of being left without a host.
Fleas can be uncomfortable for the animal as they bite their hosts, and itchy rashes may develop on the skin. You can treat your dog’s flea bites with anti-itch cream. If left untreated, fleas can even cause hot spots on the dog’s skin. The main problem with fleas is that they can carry diseases such as tapeworms. In addition to this, heavy infestations of fleas can lead to anemia in dogs.
