Where do fleas lay eggs on cats? - briefly
Female fleas lay eggs on the cat’s coat, concentrating near the base of the tail, the lower back and abdomen where the fur is dense. The eggs soon drop off onto the animal’s bedding and surrounding surfaces, where they develop.
Where do fleas lay eggs on cats? - in detail
Fleas deposit their eggs primarily on the host’s coat, where the environment remains warm and protected. The majority of oviposition occurs in areas with dense, moist hair that facilitates egg attachment and concealment. Typical sites include:
- The base of the tail and surrounding ventral surface, where the fur is thick and the skin is less exposed.
- The lower abdomen and groin region, characterized by a high concentration of hair and limited grooming access.
- The neck and shoulder blades, where the cat’s reach is limited and hair density is high.
- The inner thighs and hind legs, providing additional sheltered microhabitats.
Eggs are minute, smooth, and translucent, allowing them to blend with the host’s fur. After laying, most eggs detach within minutes to a few hours, falling onto the surrounding environment—bedding, carpets, or upholstery—where they hatch into larvae. The host’s grooming behavior removes many eggs, but those that remain in protected zones can survive long enough to drop off and develop off‑host. Understanding these deposition patterns aids in targeted treatment, focusing on both the animal’s coat and the immediate surroundings.