How do fleas live on a dog? - briefly
Adult fleas embed in the dog’s fur, repeatedly ingest blood, and deposit eggs that drop into the surrounding environment; the larvae then develop in bedding or carpet debris, feeding on organic matter. Mature insects emerge, seek a host, and the cycle resumes.
How do fleas live on a dog? - in detail
Fleas remain on a canine by completing their entire life cycle in close association with the host and its surroundings. Adult females embed their mouthparts in the skin, ingest blood, and lay eggs that drop onto the animal’s coat. The eggs, lightweight and adhesive, are carried by the fur to the environment, where they hatch into larvae within 24–48 hours under suitable temperature (20–30 °C) and humidity (≥ 70 %).
Larvae are blind, detritivorous insects that feed on organic debris, adult flea feces (which contain partially digested blood), and fungal spores. They construct silken chambers in the dog’s bedding, carpet fibers, or soil, where they develop for 5–11 days before spinning cocoons and entering the pupal stage. Pupae remain dormant until a stimulus—heat, carbon dioxide, or movement—indicates a potential host, prompting adult emergence.
Adult fleas emerge from pupae, seek a host, and quickly locate a dog by detecting body heat, carbon dioxide, and vibrations. Upon contact, they jump onto the skin, insert their proboscis, and begin feeding. Each blood meal provides the nutrients necessary for egg production; a single female can lay 30–50 eggs per day, releasing up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime.
The infestation persists because the host’s grooming removes many fleas, yet remaining individuals find protected microhabitats in skin folds, around the neck, and between hairs. The dog’s immune response generates inflammation and itching, which can lead to secondary infections if the skin barrier is compromised.
Effective management requires interrupting each stage: regular bathing and combing to eliminate adults, washing bedding at ≥ 60 °C to destroy eggs and larvae, applying insecticidal treatments that target both adult fleas and developing stages, and maintaining environmental humidity below the threshold needed for larval survival. Continuous monitoring and prompt treatment prevent re‑infestation and reduce the population within the host‑environment system.