It can take anywhere from two weeks to several months to complete the life cycle.
Where Fleas Live
Only 5% of fleas live on the dog.
The rest live as:
- Eggs
- Larvae
- Pupae
These can be found in carpets, bedding, or the wider environment.
How the Life Cycle Happens
Female fleas lay eggs which fall onto flooring.
Within 10 days, the eggs hatch into larvae.
Between 5–20 days, they grow and spin a cocoon. Inside the cocoon, the larva turns into a pupa.
After several weeks or months, the adult flea hatches from the cocoon.
They then jump onto their nearest host, feed on blood, mate, and start laying new eggs.
Flea Treatment
Vets will give advice on the most effective flea treatments, which are either sprays or spot-on medication.
It is vital to treat the environment with sprays as well as the animal and other animals that live in that house.
Because most of the fleas don’t live on the dog, but instead fall off the animal and live in the surrounding environment, it’s very important to treat any areas where the dog has been as well as the animal itself.
