How Long Do Cat Fleas Live?

There are many products on the market that will kill fleas. These products include spot-on preparations, environmental sprays, and oral treatments. The chemicals in these products differ, as do the methods of application. Some are more effective than others. Always read the label and follow directions carefully. Vets can recommend products that are the safest and most effective for your pet.

Fleas are parasitic, which means that they must feed on a host to live. The adult fleas live on the host for a few days or weeks, but their lifespans vary depending on the host. The longer the host’s fur is, the longer fleas live. The pupa stage can last as long as a year.

Fleas begin laying eggs two to three days after they feed on blood. They lay an average of 27 eggs a day. The female flea eats up to 15 times her body weight in blood every day. The flea feces are a fine, reddish dust. Flea larvae feed on the excrement and may also feed on food particles.

Female fleas lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime. During this time, they attach themselves to the host for at least one day and then fall over and lay the eggs in various locations. The eggs are not viable for long, and they hatch into larvae within two to four days if conditions are right.