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Eeeek! My Dog has fleas!While we strive to keep our dogs in clean environments, fleas have powerful legs that allow them to jump over 12 inches—more than 200 times their body length. This makes it easy for your dog to pick up fleas even during a routine daily walk. Fleas are often introduced to backyards by wildlife or wandering cats. They can even be brought into your home on the clothing of a visitor who has an infestation. Because adult fleas typically stay on their host, dogs usually catch them from environments where new adults are emerging rather than through direct contact with other infested dogs. Fleas feed exclusively on blood and can ingest up to 15 meals a day. This means a dog with just 10 fleas could be bitten up to 150 times daily. In severe cases, young kittens and puppies can lose enough blood to require a transfusion. |
Life of a flea |
Fleas thrive in warm temperatures and moderate humidity, which often makes your home an ideal environment for them. Their three-month life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. While adult fleas primarily live on animals, the other stages are found throughout the surrounding environment.
A single female flea lays approximately 40 eggs per day on a pet's skin; these eggs easily roll off into carpets and bedding. Once they hatch, the larvae seek dark, warm areas to form cocoons and become pupae. In the pupal stage, they can remain dormant for months and are resistant to insecticides, freezing, and drying. Adults only emerge when they sense a nearby host through vibrations, light, or carbon dioxide. It is important to note that the adult fleas you see on your pet represent only 5% of the total population. The remaining 95%—consisting of eggs (50%), larvae (35%), and pupae (10%)—are lurking in your home's carpet, bedding, and furniture. This means that for every visible flea, there are likely 19 others developing in the environment. |
What do i do? |
To effectively manage fleas, it is important to treat your home environment while your pet is at the grooming salon. Please follow these steps to prevent re-infestation:
- Cleaning: Wash all pet beds, blankets, and linens in hot water. Vacuum all furniture and floors, paying close attention to baseboards and crevices. - Vacuum Maintenance: Empty your vacuum canister or change the bag outside immediately after use. Fleas can easily crawl out of a vacuum or jump back onto the floor if the canister is opened indoors. - Prevention: Contact your veterinarian to start your pet on a flea preventative. - Alternative Treatments: If your pet is sensitive to medications, consider hiring an exterminator to treat your home and yard. For chemical-free options, you can use pet-safe diatomaceous earth on carpets and fabrics before vacuuming. Light-based flea traps with sticky paper are also an effective supplement. Sources: Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center CDC.gov PetMD Countryside Veterinary Hospital |