You are calmly sitting at home with your buddy and all of a sudden they start scratching and biting itself, any pet parents concern levels would suddenly start peaking. After finding the cause, it usually decreases but then all of a sudden they skyrocket again when you start asking yourself thy question.
Can dog fleas live in human hair and can I get fleas from my dog?
No, fleas can’t live in humans. If they accidentally end up in your hair, they won’t stay there. They might bite you and suck some blood, but they will leave after that because they can live on your skin.
Feel free to let out the breath you didn’t realize you were holding!
Table of Contents
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A Fleas’ Life Cycle
According to the Internet, there are over the 2,500 species of fleas. The flea that has made its nest in your cat is most likely the Ctenocephalides felis or the cat flea. Those little insects have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. By understanding the progression of the stages, you may be able to get rid of the fleas easier. through the process of getting rid of fleas.
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- Eggs: Female fleas can lay up to 20 eggs at a time, typically depositing the eggs upon a host or on a warm spot. Additionally, eggs can easily roll off the host ( your dog) so the area where your cats sleep is particularly likely to be a breeding ground for eggs. Please make sure to clean properly.
- Larva: After the eggs hatch, which can take between a couple of days and a week, fleas enter the larval stage. As a larva, fleas ingest organic matter, such as dead skin and the faeces of adult fleas. Yes, it is as disgusting as this sounds.
- Pupa: In the pupa phase, fleas weave a silken cocoon. Only that they don’t come out as beautiful butterflies. In their cocoon, a pupa can sense if a food source is available and will remain dormant until it senses a potential warm-blooded host nearby. They can remain in this stage for several months.
- Adults: Adulthood is the final stage of a flea’s life, and once this stage is reached, a flea will need to eat within a few weeks. After this first feeding, fleas can survive for a few months without a meal. Life for an adult flea is focused upon feeding and reproducing. When the adult females start producing eggs, many of them may roll off you cats. As mentioned above, the area where dogs sleep is a particularly favourite spot for these insects. A flea’s lifespan varies from a few weeks to several months depending on the hospitality of its environment.
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How did my dog get fleas?
Fleas give birth very often. Literally, a single flea can begin an epidemic in your house. Those insects are also capable of jumping nearly a foot (about 30.5 cm) into the air vertically. This makes it easy for dogs, outdoor cats, and you to carry fleas home. Because they are so easy to track inside, even indoor cats are susceptible to fleas. Fleas are most comfortable in extremely warm and humid environments. The greatest surge in fleas is during the summertime.
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Signs of having fleas
Given just how small fleas truly are, they may be a bit difficult to spot at first. Observe your pets and if you spot your cat or dog scratching and suspect fleas, use a very fine-toothed comb through your pet’s fur, while checking for small, brown shapes moving around. This may be a bit of a challenge if your dog has dark fur, so using a light coloured comb may do the trick. Look especially closely for signs of fleas by the ears and tail of your pet.
In addition to looking for live fleas, keep an eye out for what’s called “flea dirt”. You know the faecal matter that fleas deposit upon hosts? Yep, look out for that. It looks similar to small black specks on your pets’ skin and fur. If you use a tissue to moisten it, flea dirt will turn the towel red. This is because it is mostly composed of ingested blood.
Having fleas can be very uncomfortable for your animals, but they may also lead to more serious diseases. This is why it is very important to go see the veterinarian if you suspect your dog has fleas( and also for regular check-ups and vaccinations).
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What happens if a flea bites me?
Not much really. You will definitely feel it, and it will probably swell up and become red, but there are no lasting effects to it.
You do not need to head to a doctor just yet. Simply observe the bite mark for the next 48 hours. If you sense any discomfort head to a doctor and explain the situation. Don’t be alarmed though. Fleas cant transmit diseases like other insects ( such as mosquitos) can.
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How do I avoid getting fleas?
If you suspect your dog has fleas it is time to give the little doggo a nice and relaxing bath. One of the best ways to bathe your dog without getting wet, you will find here.
When its bathtime, make sure to put on some gloves and use a comb to try to get as many of them out as possible. Getting a flea shampoo from the vet will make this whole procedure about 10x easier for you and your dog. Make sure to properly clean the comb or any other grooming tools you used.
Additionally, you should take all of your dogs’ blankets and washable toys and put them into the washing machine on an appropriate setting.
Make sure you dont get any flea larvae or eggs stuck to you while bathing your dog, in order not to renew the whole ordeal.
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Thoughts
Alright, I hope this has answered your question and read this if you want to know more about dog grooming at home. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. Read you next time!
