How Big Are Fleas on Cats?
WouterFleas on cats are tiny creatures, just a few millimeters long. Their main means of survival is ingesting the blood of their warm-blooded hosts. The chances of your cat contracting fleas are higher if your cat spends a lot of time outdoors. Fleas can also be carried by rodents and wild animals that leave their eggs and larvae in your yard. However, even indoor cats are vulnerable to flea infestations. They can also enter your home by hitching a ride on your clothing or through an open door or window.
Fleas on cats can range in size from a pinhead to one-eighth of an inch in length. Their legs are long and strong, and their mouthparts are adapted to pierce the skin and sucking blood. Fleas have small eyes and are unable to fly, and their adult bodies have strong saw-toothed jaws that can reach as high as seven feet. Fleas are able to jump far because they are fast enough to move at speeds of about thirty meters per second.
To tell if your cat has fleas, look for their faeces. You’ll notice these tiny black flecks on your cat’s coat or on your comb after you’ve groomed your cat. Flea faeces are easy to distinguish from dirt, but they will turn red if they’re exposed to water. Flea faeces will be red or brown, indicating that your cat has fleas.
