Can Cat Fleas Bite Humans?

Cat fleas can cause horrible discomfort, hair loss, and dermatitis in cats. Cat flea problems are not limited to the effects on the cats in the household. People may consider cat flea problems as minor nuisances to their cats. Can cat fleas bite humans? Cat fleas certainly can!

Not only can cat fleas bite humans, but they can bite dogs and other family pets as well. Cat fleas are parasitic pests. Health problems from flea bites can range from no noticeable effects to tapeworms or anemia. Many people who have cat flea bites only experience mild skin irritation at the site of the bites.

In a household, one or more people may experience more problems with flea bites than the other people in the household. It is not uncommon for two people who share a bedroom that is contaminated with fleas to have totally different experiences with the fleas even though they may have the same exposure to cat fleas. One person may get frequent cat flea bites while the others in the household may have only an occasional bite or none at all. Some people think that the individual’s body chemistry may affect whether or not the individual is a target for flea bites.

Even if the household members are not having problems with cat flea bites, the presence of fleas should be treated for the health and hygiene of the cat and household. Getting rid of fleas can be extremely difficult. Not only does the cat need to be treated for fleas, but the items in the house need to be treated as well. Carpets should be vacuumed with a shop vacuum or other powerful vacuum cleaner. Even wood floors should be vacuumed since fleas and flea eggs and larva could be in the cracks and seams of the wood flooring.

Bedding and clothing should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat if the presence of fleas in the home is substantial. If a flea bomb is used in the house, the directions should be followed carefully. Pets and people should not be present when the flea bomb is used. Special precautions should be taken to avoid chemical contamination of food, dishes, and eating utensils. If the flea infestation persists, the veterinarian may have helpful advice for getting rid of cat fleas.