How do fleas spread on a cat? - briefly
Fleas migrate across a cat by crawling along the fur, aided by the animal’s movement and grooming, and they can be introduced from infested bedding, carpets, or other animals. Direct contact with another infested host or a contaminated environment completes the spread.
How do fleas spread on a cat? - in detail
Fleas move across a cat’s body primarily by jumping, a capability provided by their powerful hind legs. An adult flea can launch up to 150 mm, allowing it to reach new locations on the host within seconds. Once on the skin, the insect seeks a suitable spot for feeding, usually areas with thin fur or skin folds where temperature and carbon‑dioxide concentrations are higher.
After feeding, the flea may relocate to another region to avoid host grooming or to find a more favorable microclimate. This relocation is driven by:
- Mechanical disturbance from the cat’s scratching or licking.
- Changes in temperature or humidity on the skin surface.
- Presence of blood pools that attract additional feeding.
Reproduction amplifies the spread. Female fleas lay eggs on the cat’s coat; the eggs fall off onto the environment, hatch into larvae, and develop into pupae. Emerging adults climb onto the host during the cat’s normal movements, especially when the animal rests on contaminated bedding or carpet. This cycle creates a continuous influx of new fleas that can quickly infest the entire animal.
Control measures focus on interrupting each stage: topical or oral insecticides kill adult fleas before they jump; regular combing removes eggs and larvae; thorough cleaning of bedding and home surfaces eliminates developing stages, preventing re‑infestation.