How are cat fleas transmitted? - briefly
Fleas move from one cat to another via direct contact or by jumping from infested bedding, carpets, or outdoor vegetation onto a new host. They may also be carried on humans or other animals that connect infected and uninfected cats.
How are cat fleas transmitted? - in detail
Cat flea transmission occurs primarily through direct contact between infested and susceptible hosts. Adult fleas move readily from one animal to another when they share sleeping areas, grooming equipment, or bedding. Juvenile stages—eggs, larvae, and pupae—remain in the environment, especially in carpets, upholstery, and cracks where organic debris accumulates. When conditions become favorable (temperature ≈ 21‑30 °C, humidity ≈ 70 %), pupae emerge as adult fleas and seek a host, completing the cycle.
Key pathways include:
- Physical proximity of cats or other mammals, allowing adult fleas to jump onto a new host.
- Contaminated household fabrics that harbor developing stages; adult emergence leads to infestation of occupants.
- Movement of infested animals between homes, shelters, or veterinary clinics, introducing fleas to previously clean environments.
- Use of shared grooming tools or litter boxes, providing a conduit for flea transfer.
Flea larvae feed on organic matter such as skin flakes, blood residues, and adult flea feces. This sustenance supports their development into pupae, which remain dormant until a host’s presence triggers emergence. Consequently, both animal-to-animal contact and the persistence of immature stages in the surroundings are essential for sustaining and spreading infestations.