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Some dogs and cats are allergic to flea saliva so the bites of fleas cause itching and irritation. Your pet may quickly remove the fleas so they are not obvious. You may see black flea dirt (digested blood) that turns red on a wet paper towel.
Adult fleas live on dogs and cats (and possums) and need to take blood before they can breed. They need a continual source of blood so fleas risk death is they leave a host once they start feeding. Female lay 30 to 40 eggs per day that fall off, hatch into a larvae and go down and away from light. They then form a sticky cocoon that is hard to treat. These stages can last many weeks and continue to hatch out for up to 8 weeks even with treatment.
Ctenocephaladies felis (Cat flea) with ingested dog blood and eggs visible. There is a dog flea but the cat flea is the most common flea on dogs and cats.
Nylon carpet is an excellent place for fleas but they will live in cracks in floorboards and other places, often inside the house.
Treat all the dogs and cats in the household with a product from your veterinarian year round. Most are monthly but read the label carefully. The various forms of Bravecto may last longer.
Wash and dry bedding and vacuum floors and furniture daily.
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