Available 24/7, 365 Days/Year
877-927-2521
Can people get fleas from dogs or cats?
Can people get fleas from dogs or cats?
Many of us cannot imagine life without our adorable furry friends and across the United States, over 60% of households have at least one 4-legged family member. Some pets share their beds with their human friends and with our pets living so close to us, catching certain diseases from them has never been easier, especially ectoparasites like fleas. Fleas are blood-sucking insects that prefer to live in the fur of animals and feed on their blood, they prefer to infest animals like dogs, cats, rats, raccoons, rabbits, skunks, opossums, etc. This is because the fur of these animals provides these insects with the perfect temperature and warmth they need to survive and also provides some form of coverage so the insects are well- hidden and secure enough to go on a blood-sucking rampage.
So, can humans get fleas from cats and dogs?
Fleas prefer to feed on animals, but they can also feed on humans if the opportunity presents itself. For instance, if you have a cat or dog that has been infested with fleas, and you have your pet lying around on the carpet or couch, then you will most likely get bitten by fleas too. Occasionally, fleas will leave their host and feed on another host. If your pet moves in such a way that a flea in their coat loses footing and falls off, that flea may jump on your body or on the body of another member of your household for a quick snack. But unlike our furry friends, we humans don’t have fur, therefore, fleas cannot live and feed on us.
Our bodies are too smooth and cannot provide any form of coverage for the fleas and since they are very visible to the human eye, if it stays too long on your body you’ll certainly see it and probably slap it off. Another reason why fleas cannot infest the human body is that these insects actively avoid light, they would rather stay in a dark place, and the fur of our pets (and some other animals) provide them with the perfect environment for feeding. If you have a pet with fleas and your home is infested with these tiny insects, then you are to get bitten too. So, fleas bite humans, but they do not live on our bodies like they do with our pets.
What types of fleas bite humans?
There are over 2000 species of fleas but only a few of them are known to bite humans and they are mainly, cat fleas, dog fleas, and human fleas. Cat fleas are the most common flea in the US, and a large percentage of flea bites and infestations are cat fleas. Flea bites are usually itchy, irritating, and will form a small red bump that looks like a rash. Despite the various types of fleas, the fleas are basically the same and treatment is simple and straightforward. You can rinse the affected part with cold water and a mild antiseptic soap or place a small block of ice on the area to reduce the itching and soothe the irritation. The best way to ensure you never get bitten by fleas is to ensure that there is no flea infestation in your home, take care of your pets, and endeavor to treat an infestation right away.
Pest Control Professional
Pest Information is a non-profit organization, offers pest control resources, as well as bug and insect pictures, information, facts, and more.
Newsletter
Recent Posts
Catagories
Categories
202-555-0142
