Can Fleas Pass From Cats to Dogs?
WouterWhile many people aren’t aware of this fact, fleas are insects that live in the same habitat as humans. They are flat and have three pairs of legs. Fleas are attracted to heat, carbon dioxide, and physical pressure, and once they find a host, they begin to feed on the blood of the animal. Once they dislodge from the host, they usually die in two days.
Fleas are blood-sucking parasites that attach themselves to the pet’s skin and feed off the blood in its capillaries. In severe infestations, the fleas can cause significant blood loss, resulting in anemia. Anemia leads to weakness, poor oxygen supply, and can even lead to organ failure.
Fleas live for around 100 days on a host. In the north, fleas can survive the winter, but they will die if the temperature drops below 37 degrees. Nonetheless, their eggs and larvae are capable of sustaining large populations without a host. Dogs are typically exposed to fleas through contact with other pets, the environment, or flea eggs found on other animals. These little parasites are small and have powerful legs, making them easy to jump from one host to another.
There are some flea control products for dogs and cats that will kill fleas in the fur of both pets. However, you must follow the advice of a veterinarian before using any products for your pets.
