BIOLOGY OF FLEAS OF DOGS AND CATS

A review of the veterinary literature reveals many inconsistencies con cerning the biology of fleas of dogs and cats. Such inconsistencies re sult mainly from inappropriate extrapolations of the known biology and behavior of other flea species. The most common flea on dogs and cats in North America is the cat flea, Ctenophalides felis felis. The pree merged adult flea residing in the cocoon is the most resistant and pot entially lives the longest. Newly emerged cat fleas typically can surv ive only one to two weeks before the need to find a suitable host beco mes