Learn the four stages of the flea life cycle.
Just one flea on your dog or cat can signal a huge problem. In fact, a single flea can lay up to 50 eggs in one day1 . These eggs can then roll off your pet and infest the environment —wherever your pet goes, fleas and their eggs will go, too. Before you even realize you have a problem, just a few fleas can quickly become hundreds that may infest your home and bite your pet.
Since humans can only see adult fleas, it can be difficult to grasp the full scope of an infestation. Most pet owners focus treatment efforts on the adult fleas they see crawling on their pets and are unaware of the younger stages of fleas growing in the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, adult fleas make up only 5% of the total flea infestation problem. The other 95% are invisible to the naked eye.2
Understanding the four stages of the flea life cycle, including how long fleas live, can help you put a stop to a seemingly never-ending invasion.
The 4 Stages of the Flea Life Cycle
Stage 1: Flea Eggs
One flea can lay up to 50 eggs in one day, which fall off your dog or cat anywhere they go. As your pet moves around, flea eggs disperse into the surroundings, including carpet, bedding and the backyard.
Stage 2: Flea Larvae
Flea larvae hatch from eggs in one to 10 days. Flea larvae feed on organic debris, don’t like sunlight and live in moist, dark areas such as:
- In carpeting
- Under furniture
- Under baseboards
- In bedding
- In shaded areas of your yard
Stage 3: Flea Pupae
Larvae turn into pupae by enclosing themselves in a sticky, silk‐like cocoon. They usually emerge as adult fleas one to two weeks later, but can stay in their cocoons for weeks or months waiting for a host — like your dog or cat — to live on.
Stage 4: Flea Adults on Your Dog or Cat
You can see fully grown fleas with the naked eye, and they begin biting almost immediately after getting onto your pet. Contrary to popular belief, fleas neither jump from pet to pet nor fly because they do not have wings. They stay on one pet biting, feeding and laying eggs for up to several months.
If a flea cannot find a dog or cat to jump on, it’s not uncommon for them to jump on and bite people. This is why some people experience flea infestations and flea bites after returning from vacation or moving into a new house.
How to Prevent and Treat Fleas on Your Pet
Killing fleas across various life stages helps break the flea life cycle and prevent fleas from biting your cat or dog. That’s why it’s important to use a product that both treats and prevents fleas.
These products work in two ways:
- They kill the adult fleas on your cat or dog.
- They break the flea life cycle by killing flea larvae, an immature stage of a flea.
When it comes to flea prevention for your pet, there are many products available from your veterinarian or local pet store. You can also prevent fleas with routine, year-round use of a flea preventive that kills fleas through contact.
1. Dryden MW. Host association, on-host longevity and egg production of Ctenocephalides felis felis. Vet Parasitol. 1989;34:117-22
2. Grace SF. Fleas. In: Norsworthy GD, Crystal MA, Grace SF, et al, eds. (2006). The Feline Patient. 3rd ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing; 106-107.
Seresto® Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
An easy-to-use, odorless, non-greasy collar that kills and repels fleas and ticks for 8 continuous months.
Seresto® Flea & Tick Collar for Cats
An easy-to-use, odorless, non-greasy collar that kills and repels fleas and ticks for 8 continuous months.
Advantage® XD (spinetoram)
Kills fleas for two months with one dose, outlasting the typical six-week flea life cycle — and the monthly competition.
Credelio® (lotilaner)
As a trusted resource, your vet can provide additional information on how prescription-only Credelio can protect your dog from ticks and fleas all year long when taken monthly.
Credelio® CAT (lotilaner)
Protect your feline friend with Credelio Cat, the first and only flea and tick chewable for cats.
K9 Advantix® II
A convenient, monthly topical application that kills and repels fleas and ticks through contact, so they don't have to bite your dog to die. Do not use on cats.
Credelio® (lotilaner)
Indications:
Credelio kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and treatment and control of tick infestations (lone star tick, American dog tick, black-legged tick, and brown dog tick) for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older and 4.4 pounds or greater.
Important Safety Information:
Lotilaner is a member of the isoxazoline class of drugs. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, incoordination, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving this class of drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. The safe use of Credelio in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, elevated blood urea nitrogen, increased urination, and diarrhea. For complete safety information, please see Credelio product label or ask your veterinarian.
Credelio® CAT (lotilaner)
Indications:
Credelio CAT kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations for one month in cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 2 pounds or greater.
Credelio CAT is also indicated for treatment and control of black-legged tick infestations for one month in cats and kittens 6 months of age and older and weighing 2 pounds or greater.
Important Safety Information:
Lotilaner is a member of the isoxazoline class of drugs. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, incoordination, and seizures. Neurologic adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in cats without a history of neurologic disorders. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders. The safety of Credelio CAT has not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats. The effectiveness of Credelio CAT against black-legged ticks in kittens less than 6 months of age has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, rapid breathing and vomiting. For complete safety information, please see Credelio CAT product label or ask your veterinarian.
