How Do Fleas Affect Cats?
WouterYou may be wondering how do fleas affect cats. Fleas are small, brown insects that can grow from the size of a pinhead to one-eighth of an inch. They have a flat body with short antennae and a strong, saw-toothed jaw. They have a long lifespan and can survive up to 15 days without a host. They are often dislodged by pets being groomed or normal vacuuming. Cat fleas’ saliva can cause allergic reactions in people.
Cat fleas are tiny, external wingless insects that live on cats, birds, and other animals. They feed on blood to reproduce. Cats don’t have any natural defenses against fleas, so it’s important to control their populations. Fleas can lay up to twenty or thirty eggs a day.
Adult fleas spend most of their time feeding on your pet. They live for two years or more. During this time, female fleas lay eggs. These eggs fall off your cat into the environment, which is a perfect source of food for the flea larvae. Fleas can lay up to 2,000 eggs during their life cycle. During this time, they can even bite you if they don’t find a host, which is why it’s important to keep your cat’s coat clean at all times.
An infestation of fleas will make your cat miserable and itchy. Once the fleas are under control, your cat will be fine. However, if the infestation is severe, the cat may develop anemia. If this condition is not treated, it can lead to organ failure and even death.
