What Are Cat Fleas?
WouterCat fleas, also known as Ctenocephalides, are a common pest found in cats. They are a member of the tribe Archaeopsyllini, which includes a variety of other flea species. While the majority of these species infest mammals, several species are also found in wild carnivores such as hedgehogs and ground squirrels.
Once infested, cat fleas can live for as long as 25 days in their host’s body. Adult fleas emerge from their cocoons on the second day and seek blood. This blood meal is important because adult fleas live for a long time on stored fat.
You can control fleas by treating your cat with an appropriate flea treatment. Several different treatments are available from pet stores, supermarkets, and vets. Each type has its own unique composition, mode of action, and safety rating. You should always read labels and directions before using any type of treatment on your cat.
Fleas can live on humans, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. You can easily check for fleas by using a flea comb. This comb has teeth that help suck out fleas. You should try to get down as close to the skin as possible. Once the comb has sucked out the fleas, empty it into a bowl of soapy water. Fleas die quickly in water, so the comb should be used as soon as possible.
Cat flea eggs hatch into larvae within two days and develop into adults in five to eight weeks, depending on their environment. The larvae then develop into pupae, which is an egg-shaped silk cocoon. These pupae live for about a month to a year before they emerge as adults. Adult fleas can live in your home for almost a year if not treated properly.
