What do fleas look like on kittens? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, dark brown to reddish insects about 1–3 mm long that dart through a kitten’s fur and cause small, irritated bite spots. They may also be observed as fast‑moving specks or as clusters of eggs and larvae in the kitten’s bedding.
What do fleas look like on kittens? - in detail
Fleas that infest young cats are tiny, wing‑less insects measuring 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving a flattened appearance that enables movement through dense fur. Color ranges from reddish‑brown to dark brown, becoming more pronounced after a blood meal. The abdomen expands noticeably when engorged, producing a rounder silhouette.
Key visual indicators on a kitten include:
- Small, moving specks that dart quickly when the animal is disturbed.
- Darkened spots on the skin where fleas have fed, often appearing as tiny punctate hemorrhages.
- A gritty, “sand‑like” debris (flea feces) that may be visible on the coat or in bedding.
- Irritated skin with thin, red lines tracing the path of flea movement.
Fleas typically congregate in warm, protected areas such as the neck, base of the tail, and under the belly. Their rapid jumping ability allows them to relocate across the body within seconds, making detection challenging without close inspection. A thorough combing with a fine‑toothed flea comb reveals the insects and their eggs, which are oval, white, and approximately 0.5 mm in size.