What Fleas Look Like
WouterBefore you can effectively treat your dog or cat for fleas, you should know what fleas look like. Adult fleas are small and have wingless bodies covered with hard shells. They have a hard mouth that pierces the skin and sucks blood from its host. The flea’s body is also made of several small, oval-shaped parts, including spines that circle its head.
Fleas have six legs and an oval-shaped body. They have stout spines on their backs, which are used for jumping. Their body is covered with several small pores, which are epidermal glands. They secrete a substance that enables them to move through the hair of their host. Their heads have two beady eyes and a sculpted surface on the outer cuticle with wavy striae.
Often, flea bites are visible. They are small red bumps with a light-red halo around the center. They can appear randomly on the lower leg or foot, and usually appear an hour after a bite. In contrast, bedbug bites appear in a line and may take several days or weeks to appear.
Adult fleas are reddish-brown and approximately one eighth of an inch long. Their back legs are extremely long and strong. They can jump up to 12 inches and can stay attached to their host’s fur. In addition, they have a long mouth and large antennae for navigation. They feed on blood and may leave specks of blood on your pet.
