What do fleas feed on in dogs? - briefly
Fleas pierce a dog’s skin to draw blood from capillaries, extracting plasma and red blood cells for nutrition. Their diet consists almost entirely of the host’s blood components.
What do fleas feed on in dogs? - in detail
Fleas obtain nourishment exclusively from the blood of their canine host. The adult female inserts her mouthparts into the skin, creates a small wound, and draws blood through a specialized, rasping proboscis. This fluid supplies all required nutrients, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, necessary for egg production and metabolic processes. Male fleas also feed, though their intake is lower because they do not allocate energy to reproduction.
During a blood meal, a flea can ingest up to 15 µl of plasma, enough to sustain it for several days. The ingested blood is rapidly processed: plasma is filtered, while red blood cells are broken down to release hemoglobin, which provides amino acids for tissue growth. Excess fluid is excreted as “flea dirt,” a mixture of digested blood and waste, often seen as black specks on the dog’s coat.
Key aspects of the feeding cycle:
- Attachment: Flea’s hind legs clasp the hair shaft; forelegs position the mouthparts.
- Penetration: Serrated stylet pierces the epidermis, avoiding major blood vessels.
- Suction: Negative pressure draws blood into the gut; anticoagulants in saliva prevent clotting.
- Digestive processing: Enzymes degrade proteins; nutrients are absorbed across the gut epithelium.
- Reproduction: Females convert a portion of the blood into yolk proteins for egg development; a single female can lay 20–30 eggs per day after a full meal.
Environmental factors influence feeding frequency. Warm, humid conditions increase flea activity, leading to multiple feedings per day. Conversely, cold or dry periods reduce metabolic rates, extending the interval between meals.
In summary, fleas rely solely on canine blood, extracting plasma and cellular components through a specialized mouthpart apparatus. The blood provides the essential macronutrients for survival, growth, and prolific reproduction, while waste products manifest as visible debris on the animal’s fur.