Tell me about fleas, quick

[Frownette]

So they can transfer from wildlife/birds to dogs and cats pretty quickly?

That's why you should flea treat monthly with a vet strength flea treatment

I think most fleas are breed specific so not really.

But yes you should be treating for fleas anyway

I was more asking about validation about how transferable they are between different beasts?

I mean I think pigeons can pick them up from dogs vice versa?

Certain types of fleas prefer certain animal species. The cat flea can live on cats and dogs and is most common I think. They can live on other animals and in the home environment.

Thanks @Chuffingchuff

Fleas have their preferred species but will jump onto any available host. Cat fleas can infest a dog for example.

You don't want to know how many fleas my terrier picked up when he ventured down a rabbit hole. You could see them jumping around his muzzle.

Oh yikes, @Elphame, sounds horrible, hope he's ok?

I remember reading about them being transferable but couldn't find much on google so wanted to see if anyone here knew before I shot off an email

Found this online:

Fleas in cats and dogs are normally one of two species, eitherCtenocephalides felis, the cat flea, orCtenocephalides canis, the dog flea. However neither is host specific, and while the cat flea can infest dogs and vice versa, both can infest humans.

In fact, cat fleas are the most common fleas on both cats and dogs and have been known to infest more than 50 different animals, including raccoons, weasels, opossums and badgers. There are also human fleas, rat fleas (which were responsible for spreading the bubonic plague), rabbit fleas and many more.

I treat mine monthly with a flea deterrent. Fleas carry larvae of the tapeworm, they also nest in carpet.

If a flea were the size of a man it could jump over the Eiffel tower.

@ Frownette Thank you - yes he was fine. He wasn't allowed in the house till he'd been cleaned up! He is forever poking his nose into various holes he finds. Luckily he doesn't pick up too many passengers. We use a good flea collar on him which I get from the vet.

Teacake as much as I hate them they do have amazing feats

H is blaming cat for his fleas, poor little thing, he's been treated but it's not his fault for picking them up in an area which doesn't have other cats.

Depends what treatment you are using on the cat as not all are effective

Yes - what are you using? We use Prinovox on the cat which is a drop on and don't have a problem with fleas despite the terrier's best efforts.

You may have to treat your carpets and soft furnishings if you think there are more than a couple of temporary guests that haven't been killed by the flea treatment yet. It can take up to 48 hours for a flea to be killed by the preventative so you may see the odd one