How Long Do Fleas Live on Dogs?

Dogs are susceptible to fleas and should be treated as soon as you notice them. Fleas can live on dogs for several days or weeks, depending on their host. Adult fleas feed on the blood of your pet, and will also bite humans and other pets.

There are several ways to treat your pet for fleas. First, you can wash your pet’s bedding and toys in hot water. In addition to washing your pet’s bedding, you can also wash your outdoor living areas with an insecticide. It is advisable to get rid of any toys or bedding that is difficult to wash.

Adult female fleas lay up to 500 eggs per lifetime. These eggs can be laid on any surface. These eggs hatch in one to 12 days and look like small dandruff flakes or salt. The larvae eat their own waste and other organic material. In less than two weeks, they hatch into tiny worms.

Cat fleas can carry an intestinal parasite called dog tapeworm. This parasitic creature has an interesting life cycle and lives in the intestinal tracts of humans, dogs, and cats. This parasite has about 200 body segments, or proglottids. Once mature, these segments wiggle out of an infected animal’s anus.