What do fleas on dogs and cats look like? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects measuring 1–3 mm, dark brown to reddish, with laterally flattened bodies and strong hind legs that enable rapid jumps. They appear as moving specks on the skin or as minute black dots within the fur.
What do fleas on dogs and cats look like? - in detail
Fleas that infest dogs and cats belong mainly to the species Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) and Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea). Adults measure 1 – 3 mm in length, roughly the size of a grain of sand, and have a laterally compressed, oval body that enables rapid movement through fur.
Key visual characteristics:
- Color: reddish‑brown to dark brown; after feeding, the abdomen may appear paler due to engorgement.
- Body shape: flattened laterally, giving a “shuttle‑cock” silhouette; the head is angled downward, hidden beneath the thorax.
- Legs: six long, spiny legs; hind legs are especially powerful, allowing the insect to jump up to 100 times its own body length.
- Antennae: short, club‑shaped, concealed in a groove on the head.
- Wings: absent; the exoskeleton is smooth, lacking visible scales or setae.
Movement is characterized by sudden, erratic jumps triggered by vibrations or heat. Fleas remain close to the skin surface, feeding for 5–10 minutes per blood meal before retreating to the hair shaft.
Identification tips:
- Observe small, dark specks moving quickly across the coat, especially near the base of the tail, neck, and groin.
- Look for “flea dirt” – dark specks resembling pepper, which are digested blood excreted by the parasite.
- Examine the animal’s skin for tiny puncture marks or localized redness, often accompanied by scratching or biting behavior.
Distinguishing fleas from other ectoparasites: ticks are larger (several millimeters), have a hard shield and do not jump; mites are microscopic and usually cause scaly lesions rather than visible insects. The combination of size, flattened body, powerful hind legs, and rapid jumping uniquely identifies flea infestations on companion animals.