What do fleas and their larvae look like on cats? - briefly
Adult fleas are tiny (1‑3 mm), dark brown, laterally flattened insects that dart through the cat’s coat. Their larvae are legless, cream‑colored, C‑shaped grubs that live in the surrounding debris rather than on the animal’s skin.
What do fleas and their larvae look like on cats? - in detail
Adult cat fleas are small, laterally compressed insects measuring 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are dark brown to reddish‑black, with a smooth, glossy exoskeleton. Hind legs are elongated, enabling rapid jumping up to 150 mm. Antennae are short, concealed beneath the head capsule. Eyes are absent; vision relies on light‑sensing organs near the head. Mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking stylet adapted for blood extraction.
On a cat, fleas congregate in areas where the skin is thin and blood vessels are close to the surface. Common locations include the base of the tail, neck folds, under the chin, and the groin. The insects move quickly, creating a “jump‑and‑run” pattern that can be observed as brief, erratic hops across the fur. Their presence often generates a gritty, sand‑like debris known as flea dirt, which appears as dark specks that turn reddish when moistened.
Flea larvae differ markedly from adults. They are slender, creamy‑white, and 2–5 mm long, lacking legs and possessing a soft, segmented body. The head bears a pair of short, curved mandibles used for feeding on organic debris. The abdomen is curved, giving a C‑shaped posture when at rest. Larvae possess a pair of spiracles near the posterior for respiration. They are not visible on the cat’s coat; instead, they develop in the environment—under bedding, in carpeting, or within cracks where they feed on flea dirt, skin flakes, and microscopic fungi.
Key visual distinctions:
- Size: adults 1.5–3 mm; larvae 2–5 mm (longer but thinner).
- Color: adults dark brown/black; larvae creamy‑white.
- Body shape: adults laterally flattened; larvae cylindrical, C‑shaped.
- Mobility: adults jump actively; larvae are immobile, relying on environmental humidity.
- Location: adults on the animal’s skin; larvae in the surrounding habitat.
Recognizing these characteristics enables accurate identification and targeted treatment of flea infestations on felines.