A dog scratches as fleas bite.

Fleas aren’t just your dog’s worst nightmare; they can be yours, too. To stop this common parasite, it’s important to understand a little bit about how they operate.

The adult fleas on your dog represent only 5% of the total flea population around him or her. The other 95% can’t be seen. Fleas exist in various stages of development — as eggs, larvae, or pupae. All can exist in your carpet, couch, bedding, and anywhere else your dog walks or lies down. The complete flea life cycle lasts between two weeks to almost 170 days; however, the average life cycle is about 21 days.

Lifecycle of Fleas

Eggs

  • Fleas lay eggs within 24 hours after feeding.
  • Flea eggs are not sticky, so they fall off the pet and scatter like BBs.
  • Eggs hatch as larvae within one to six days.

Larvae

  • Larvae can travel up to 18 inches in carpet.
  • Larvae move away from light, deep into carpets and cracks in flooring where they feed.
  • On average, larvae live up to 12 days.

Pupae

  • Pupae can survive many types of flea treatments.
  • Pupae may remain dormant four to six months, but sometimes up to a year.

Adult Fleas

  • Adult fleas live on your pet; they do not jump from pet to pet or pet to human.
  • A single adult female flea can lay up to 1200 offspring in one month and can lay up to 2000 eggs in her lifetime (up to 170 days).

And the cycle begins again!

Keep in mind that not all flea products are effective against

It’s important that you talk to your veterinarian to see which product is right for your dog.

REFERENCE: Dryden, M.W., The cat flea: biology, ecology and control. Vet parasitology. 1994; 52:1-19.


More From Cesar's Way Videos

Recommended Videos


Related Posts

October 5, 2023

Why Do Dogs Bury Things?

Dogs like to bury things. Sometimes that means finding a bone or a toy under

October 5, 2023

Does Your Dog Resent You?

We've probably all experienced that “guilty dog” look — the one that they give us

October 5, 2023

Dog in Mourning: Helping Pets Cope With Loss

A heart-tugging image of a brown Labrador retriever named Hawkeye lying beside the American flag-draped

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get Tips From Cesar & The Pack

Don’t get left out of the doghouse! Sign up now to make sure you’re up to date on the latest happenings!

Trending Today

Trending This Week