Fleas are blood-feeding arthropods that can infest a wide variety of hosts. Ctenocephalides felis<\/em>, the cat flea, is the most common flea species found on dogs and cats worldwide, as well as the most medically important in the veterinary setting. This article focuses on C felis<\/em>, the diseases associated with flea feeding, and available products that both eliminate flea infestations on pets and break the flea life cycle in the environment.<\/p>\n Take-Home Points<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/p>\n The most common flea of domestic dogs and cats worldwide is Ctenocephalides felis<\/i>, the cat flea (Figure\u00a01<\/b><\/span>).1<\/sup> In some countries, Ctenocephalides canis <\/i>is more commonly found on dogs, but this species is rare in the United States.2,3<\/sup> Other flea species that have been recovered from dogs and cats include Pulex <\/i>species, Xenopsylla cheopis, <\/i>and Echidnophaga gallinacea<\/i>; however, this review primarily describes the veterinary importance of the cat flea and the effectiveness of current parasiticides in treating and\/or preventing infestation.<\/p>\n Figure 1. Adult female Ctenocephalides felis flea. Note the distinct genal comb by the mouthparts (black arrow) and pronotal comb at the base of the head (yellow arrow), which help identify C felis from other fleas commonly found in North America. Courtesy Dr. Michael Dryden<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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<\/a>Life Cycle<\/span><\/h2>\n