Dog fleas are different from cat fleas or other types of fleas for that matter, as fleas are species specific. This means that the fleas that are found on your dog cannot harm your cat. However, the feline fleas have adapted to be able to live on canine blood as well. Presently, most dogs suffering from fleas have feline fleas.
Cat Fleas
The Ctenocephalides felis is the name of the cat fleas. These fleas are powerful parasites that are typically found on felines, but may also be found on canines.
The cat fleas may also bite humans, but may not live on humans.
The cat fleas produce eggs, which hatch into larvae and will result in new fleas. The cat fleas develop at an alarming rate and live for up to 1 year, provided they have blood to feed on and if they are not treated with insecticides. The adult female lays up to 20 eggs per day.
The cat fleas are brown and the eggs are white, resembling cat dander. The cat fleas may be visible if the pet has a white colored coat. The fleas also leave dry blood behind, which can also be identified on the pet’s coat.
The fleas have developed resistance to many insecticides, but there are still some flea solutions that can work. Also, bleach is ideal to remove the fleas, the eggs and the larvae from the environment of an infested cat or dog.
The cat fleas may transmit various diseases such as the typhus or the Bartonella. If ingested, fleas can cause the formation of tapeworms.
Dog Fleas
The dog fleas are also known as the Ctenocephalides canis and are very rare in the US, but spread in Europe.
Most cases of fleas on dogs reported (i.e. over 95%) were found to be cat fleas. This is due to the fact that the cat fleas have adapted to be able to live on dogs as well. However, the dog fleas may not bite cats, as they haven’t adapted to live on feline blood.
The female dog fleas produce 4000 eggs during a life cycle.
Dog fleas can bite humans, but they cannot live on humans.
Dog Fleas vs Cat Fleas
There are numerous types of fleas including human fleas, but they are all species specific. The fleas on your dog will not bite the cat, but the cat may be a host for a while, until the flea finds a canine and will feed on his blood. The canine fleas are very rare.
However, the fleas that are found on cats may be transmitted to dogs, as these fleas have adapted so that they can feed on canine blood as well.
The dog fleas and the cat fleas are similar in morphology and cannot be differentiated with the naked eye. A microscope can help tell the difference between the cat and dog fleas.
Both cat and dog fleas may bite humans, but cannot infest the humans with fleas.