How do fleas lay eggs on a dog? - briefly
Female fleas release eggs onto the dog’s skin and fur after feeding, allowing them to fall through the coat onto the surrounding environment. An adult can deposit up to 50 eggs daily, which hatch within 24–48 hours.
How do fleas lay eggs on a dog? - in detail
Fleas reproduce by depositing eggs directly onto the host’s coat. An adult female, after a blood meal, matures her eggs internally for roughly 24–48 hours. When ready, she releases each egg through a ventral opening, allowing it to fall through the fur and onto the skin surface. The eggs are smooth, about 0.5 mm in diameter, and lack adhesive properties, so they slide down the hair shafts and drop onto the ground or surrounding environment.
Key steps in the reproductive cycle on a canine:
- Blood ingestion triggers ovarian development.
- Egg maturation occurs within the abdomen; a single female can produce 20–30 eggs per day.
- Egg release is continuous; the flea does not remain attached to the dog while laying.
- Eggs fall through the fur and are dislodged by the animal’s movement, grooming, or external forces.
- Once on the floor, eggs hatch into larvae within 2–5 days, depending on temperature and humidity.
Environmental factors influence egg survival. Warm, humid conditions accelerate development, while dry, cool areas prolong the egg stage. Because the eggs are not sticky, most accumulate in bedding, carpets, and cracks near the dog’s usual resting spots. Effective control therefore targets both the animal (regular flea treatments) and the surrounding habitat (vacuuming, washing bedding, applying insect growth regulators).