What do fleas feed on on a cat? - briefly
Fleas ingest the cat’s blood by piercing the skin with their mouthparts. They obtain nutrients primarily from the host’s plasma and red blood cells.
What do fleas feed on on a cat? - in detail
Fleas that infest domestic felines are obligate hematophages; their mouthparts pierce the skin to access the host’s circulatory system. Once a blood vessel is ruptured, the insect ingests plasma and cellular components, which provide the essential nutrients for development and reproduction.
The ingested blood supplies:
- Proteins required for synthesis of egg yolk proteins and structural proteins.
- Lipids that serve as energy reserves and are incorporated into the flea’s cuticle.
- Carbohydrates, primarily glucose, that support immediate metabolic processes.
- Trace minerals such as iron and zinc, which are critical for enzymatic activity.
Feeding episodes occur every few hours for adult fleas. A single engorgement can deliver up to 0.5 µL of blood, representing a measurable portion of the cat’s total blood volume when infestations are heavy. The ingested material is stored in the midgut, where proteolytic enzymes break down hemoglobin and plasma proteins, releasing amino acids and peptides for assimilation. Lipid droplets are absorbed and transported to the fat body for storage and later utilization during egg production.
Repeated blood meals lead to physiological stress in the host. Significant blood loss may cause anemia, especially in kittens or immunocompromised animals. Moreover, fleas act as vectors for pathogens such as Bartonella henselae and Rickettsia spp.; these organisms are transmitted during feeding, potentially resulting in systemic infections. Effective control therefore targets interrupting the flea’s access to blood, breaking the cycle of nutrient acquisition and reproduction.