How long do fleas reproduce on cats? - briefly
Female fleas start laying eggs on a cat within 24‑48 hours of infestation and can continue for up to two weeks, depending on temperature and host health. The complete flea life cycle—from egg to adult—typically spans two to three weeks under favorable conditions.
How long do fleas reproduce on cats? - in detail
Fleas complete their life cycle on a cat in roughly 2–3 weeks under optimal indoor conditions. Adult females begin laying eggs within 24–48 hours after their first blood meal. Each female can produce 20–30 eggs per day, up to 2,000 eggs over her lifespan. Eggs are deposited on the host’s fur, then fall into the environment where they hatch in 2–5 days. Larvae feed on organic debris, molt, and become pupae within 5–10 days. The pupal stage lasts from a few days to several weeks, depending on temperature and humidity; warm, humid environments accelerate emergence, while cooler, dry conditions prolong dormancy. Once adult fleas emerge, they seek a host, feed, and the reproductive cycle restarts.
Key factors influencing the reproduction period:
- Temperature: 75–85 °F (24–29 °C) shortens development; below 60 °F (15 °C) slows or halts it.
- Humidity: 50–70 % relative humidity supports egg hatching and larval growth; extreme dryness reduces survival.
- Host availability: Continuous access to a cat provides blood meals necessary for egg production.
If a cat remains infested, adult females can sustain egg laying for several weeks, potentially extending the overall reproductive window to a month or more. Effective control requires interrupting this cycle by treating the animal and eliminating environmental stages.