Can dog and cat fleas live on humans?

Fleas have moved in! Your pet is scratching and biting itself, spinning around in circles erratically and you may have even noticed one of the tiny bloodsucking critters jump onto you. Your first thoughts might be about your poor pet, quickly followed by the alarming question ‘can dog and cat fleas live on humans too?’

First things first, can cat or dog fleas live on humans?

The short answer is that fleas on humans may bite people but they won’t live on you. Fleas will seek out your dog or cat as their preferred host and blood meal.

Two specific species most commonly live and dine on your cats and dogs; Ctenocephalides felis – the scientific name for cat fleas – and Ctenocephalides canis – the scientific name for dog fleas. However, despite their names, the most common flea found on dogs and cats is the cat flea. That’s because fleas are not host specific, meaning that while their preferred host is a cat or dog, they will both happily feed on either cats or dogs, and sometimes humans!

The dark, moist environment of fur is the perfect place for fleas to live. Because of this, fleas don't choose to live on humans. Scientific research shows that our relatively hairless bodies don’t make great hiding places, they’re difficult for fleas to attach to and they don’t provide enough heat for them to survive long term. Fleas need a dog, cat or another pet to live and breed on, so if you’re the only food source around, they’re unable to complete their lifecycle and multiply.

Take note though, fleas will often stay on our skin and inside our clothes in the short term, using us a ‘carrier’, waiting for a more suitable host, like your cat or dog, before jumping onto them. They can also infest our homes, laying their eggs on your pet, which fall into the environment onto furniture and on the carpet; the eggs can then lay dormant before hatching into larvae and developing into adult fleas.

Is there also such a thing as a human flea?

Yes, but don’t fear. There are around 2,000 kinds of flea and luckily only one type, the human flea, Pulex irritans, lives on us and it’s rarely a problem in the UK.

How do you know if you have been bitten by fleas?

To find out whether that itchy red spot you’ve found on your skin is just a spot, a bug bite or something more sinister, here are some ways flea bites appear:

You’ve found a small scab on your skin which has a light red ‘halo’
Very small red marks around a central red spot
Clusters of red bite marks that have swollen in a similar way to mosquito bites
You have been bitten on your ankles and legs, in particular

Other signs your household has fleas include:

Found black specks, which look like ground pepper? This is called flea ‘dirt’ which is, in fact, flea faeces
Your pets are scratching more than usual and could have fleas

Can fleas cause health issues in humans?

Simply put - yes. Fleas don’t just bite, they can also cause health problems in humans.

Flea-borne diseases - Ignoring a flea infestation is not wise and can risk your own and your family’s health. Even if you get over the discomfort of irritating bites, infected fleas can spread disease, which can result in serious illness in humans, such as typhus and the plague, although these are very rare in the UK. It’s more common that a person may contract Bartonella, often known as cat scratch disease, from infected flea faeces under the cat’s claws.
Allergic reactions to flea bites - Some people may react to flea bites, their skin can become swollen, itchy and irritated, sometimes displaying red bumps, hives or a rash. If this happens, it’s best to visit a healthcare professional.
Risk of tapeworm infection - Fleas can carry the tapeworm parasite and can pose a risk to your household. If a flea carrying the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm parasite is ingested by your pet, such as during grooming, or by humans accidentally although this is rare, it can develop into a tapeworm infestation.

What should you do if you or your family has been bitten by fleas?

NEVER use pet flea medicine on humans – Medicine for your pets should only be used on your pets as it can make humans very sick.
Soothe the itch – The biggest complaint from fleas is the itchy bites. To get relief, speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter options.
Avoid scratching – As hard as it might be, try to avoid scratching the bite. This can open up the scab and take longer for it to heal. It also increases your risk of infection.

How to get rid of fleas on pets

Prevention is always better than cure – Treating your pet regularly with a flea preventative treatment is one of the most effective ways to prevent a flea infestation. There are many different types of flea control products on the market:

Flea collars for flea control in dogs and cats

Flea collars can vary in how they work; Seresto Flea and Tick Control collar kills fleas (and repels and kills ticks) through contact without the need for them to bite your pet¹. Just put it on your pet like a normal collar and with Seresto they’re protected for 7-8 months.

Spot-on treatments, such as Advantage Spot-on, contain a small amount of liquid that is applied to the skin at the base of the cat's head or between the dog's shoulders once a month. Many pet owners find them convenient as they are easy to apply. Advantage Spot-on kills fleas within 24 hours and and prevents further infestations for 4 weeks. Fleas are killed through contact with the treated pet and do not have to bite to die¹.

Tablets are another commonly used method to protect dogs and cats from fleas and can be given either by putting the tablet in with your pet's food or treats, or by gently giving it directly into their mouth. An example of a tablet available for preventative flea control is Advantage Chewable Tablets. This a tasty, meat-flavoured chewable tablet for dogs that provides fast-acting, reliable protection, killing fleas in just 4 hours and ticks in 8 hours². Speak with your vet about preventative flea control for cats. If your pet already has an infestation of fleas, one Capstar tablet starts killing adult fleas in just 15-30 minutes and lasts 24 hours; to prevent a re-infestation of fleas, you'll need to use a longer-acting preventative product afterwards too.

Flea treatment options

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Your vet will be able to recommend the right product for you to keep you, your pets and home flea-free.

Remember, your pet will only be fully protected from fleas when regularly using a preventative flea product. It can help to make a note of the date that you first gave the product, so you know when to re-treat. When applying flea treatments, you will need to choose the right product for your pet’s age and weight; always make sure you read the label and consult your vet or local pet retail store if you’re unsure.

But don't forget about worms! As fleas can carry the tapeworm parasite, a nasty intestinal worm which can be transmitted to your pet if a flea is ingested, it's important to worm alongside flea control for full coverage. Speak to your vet about treatment options and frequency.

Responsible use of medicines in pets

When we use pet health treatments, be they for parasites or for other health issues, it's essential that they are used responsibly. Find out more about the principles of responsible use of medicines in pets.

How to get rid of fleas in the home

Whenever you’re treating your pet for fleas, you'll also need to treat your home. This is because fleas love warm hidden places, making carpets, furniture and other soft furnishings the perfect habitat for their eggs and larvae, that have the potential to re-infest your pet - and you. In fact, only around 5% of fleas in an infestation are found on your pet - the other 95% will be scattered around your home in immature stages.

To remove fleas in the home:

Wash your pet's bedding and toys – remove any fur from the bedding before washing and dispose of it in general waste, then always wash the bedding on a hot wash, ideally at 50˚C or above, as the high temperature will kill the fleas and their eggs which may be hiding there. Try drying it using heat, such as in a tumble dryer, rather than air drying.
Wash your own bedding too, especially if your cat sleeps on your bed!
Vacuum thoroughly – Vacuum all floors, carpets, rugs and sofas and remember to empty your machine to stop flea eggs hatching inside.
Other treatments – Speak to your vet about other treatments that can be used if you have a home infestation. Don't forget to treat other pets in the house or garden at the same time.

It can take several weeks to fully tackle a flea problem, but so long as you’re patient and consistent, you’ll get there. Remember that to prevent re-infestation, it’s important to treat your pets regularly.