What do fleas on pets look like? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, wing‑less insects 1–3 mm long, dark brown to reddish, with laterally flattened bodies that fit easily between hairs. Their legs end in tiny claws for gripping fur, and they can leap several inches when provoked.
What do fleas on pets look like? - in detail
Fleas that infest dogs and cats are small, laterally flattened insects measuring approximately 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are dark‑brown to reddish‑black, with a hard exoskeleton that gives a glossy sheen. The head is barely visible, tucked beneath the thorax, and the legs are long relative to body size, ending in tiny claws that enable rapid jumping. The abdomen expands after a blood meal, appearing slightly swollen and sometimes giving the flea a more rounded silhouette.
Key visual traits include:
- Size: comparable to a grain of sand; easily missed without close inspection.
- Color: deep brown to black; may appear lighter after feeding.
- Shape: flattened from side to side, facilitating movement through fur.
- Movement: erratic, quick hops of up to 150 cm; often observed as sudden, brief bursts.
- Location on host: primarily at the base of the tail, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the groin area; also in armpits and under the abdomen where the coat is thinner.
Life‑stage differences affect appearance. Eggs are tiny, white, and smooth, often deposited in the environment rather than on the animal. Larvae are blind, cream‑colored, and C‑shaped, feeding on organic debris. Pupae are encased in a silken cocoon that can be found in the pet’s bedding. Adult fleas, the stage that bites, are the only ones visible on the animal’s skin.
When examining a pet, look for small, moving specks that dart away when the fur is brushed. Fleas may cause tiny puncture marks that bleed slightly, but the visual identification relies on the insect’s size, color, flattened body, and jumping behavior.