Why Do Fleas Drink Blood?
Fleas are able to drink blood for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is that their saliva contains proteins that help keep blood flowing in the body. These proteins cause itching and a reaction from the host. Another reason is that fleas are often attracted to humans. The female flea prefers humans over other animals and burrows into the host before laying eggs.
Fleas live in your pet’s skin for up to 100 days and only need a blood meal to lay eggs. Without a blood meal, they would not be able to lay eggs and their population would decrease. Once they have a blood meal, they can lay eggs immediately or a few days later.
Fleas are not shy about feeding, either. They consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood a day. Besides blood, fleas also feed on dead skin cells and decaying plant matter. However, the majority of fleas do not feed on human blood, which is why they are more interested in feeding on pets.
Fleas can cause serious problems for your pet if left untreated. They can cause your pet to develop various health problems and may even cause death. Luckily, there are ways to kill them without causing too much suffering.