Can Fleas Live on Humans? Understanding Dog, Cat, and Human Fleas

Dog and cat fleas are a common nuisance for pet parents because they can infest homes and wreak havoc on a pet’s skin and fur. Fleas can cause concerning symptoms like intense itching, hair loss, and skin bumps.  

Fleas reproduce and spread quickly within an infested home, especially when pets are present, but can fleas live on humans?  

Naturally, many pet parents question whether they can get fleas from their pets or even the environment. It’s important to know how fleas survive—and whether fleas can live on humans—so you can protect your pet and yourself.   

What Are Fleas? Signs and Symptoms

Fleas are tiny parasites that live within the fur of animals, including dogs and cats. Fleas are brown or black and can be seen by the naked eye, although they are quite small. Dog and cat fleas are typically only around 2 millimeters in size; however, human fleas are slightly larger at around 4 milliliters long.  

Dog and Cat Fleas vs. Human Fleas 

Fleas are species-specific; therefore, each type of flea prefers a certain host. Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis are cat and dog fleas, respectively. Pulex irritans is the most common type of human flea, but it can also occasionally live on other mammals like dogs and cats.  

Dog and cat fleas are very common, whereas human fleas are less common. While all species of fleas only live within animal fur or in the environment (rather than on humans), they can bite people and cause discomfort and symptoms similar to what is seen in pets.  

People can be exposed to dog and cat fleas or human fleas the same way— from pets or by spending time outdoors. Some signs that you may have been bitten by a flea include:  

• Frequent itching 

• Small, red skin bumps, especially on the legs 

• Skin rash 

• Visible fleas or flea dirt on skin or in home 

The most common diseases that dog/cat fleas and human fleas can spread to people include tapeworms.  

Dogs and cats can become infected with tapeworms by ingesting contaminated feces or licking their fur where flea eggs may be. People can get tapeworms through accidental ingestion of flea eggs or larvae as well.  

Other diseases that can be transmitted via cat fleas include cat scratch fever and murine typhus, both of which are relatively rare.  

While human fleas have been shown to carry Yersinia pestis, which is the bacterium that causes the plague, they are poor vectors of disease in general. This means they are unlikely to spread infection to people. 

Can Humans Get Fleas?

Fleas do not live on humans, but people can be bitten by them. The human flea— Pulex irritans —prefers feeding on human blood, but human skin is not a desirable environment for this flea to live on compared to other animals.  

Pet parents can be exposed to dog/cat fleas or human fleas from their indoor pets or in the environment, such as in areas of tall grass or even in their own backyards.  

Even if you don’t have a pet with an active flea infestation, you’re still susceptible to flea bites if you spend time outdoors or if a flea hitches a ride on your clothing and comes inside.  

Fleas are attracted to movement, so they may seek out people in the home to feed on even if pets are not present. 

What Do Fleas Look Like on Humans?

Fleas are tiny and brown or black, but you will rarely see them actually crawling on your skin. However, fleas may bite you while you sleep, so you may only notice after finding small bumps on your skin.  

Frequent itching and discomfort are also common. Fleas generally bite people on their legs and ankles and leave small bumps in clusters or in a straight line.  

Can Fleas Live in Human Hair? 

Fleas do not live in human hair. They prefer thick animal fur, where they can burrow in and keep warm.  

How Long Can Fleas Live on Humans?

So can fleas survive on humans? Fleas don’t live on humans; however, if you notice fleas or flea dirt within your home or have symptoms of flea bites, it’s important to act quickly to resolve the infestation.  

Fleas have a complex life cycle; they lay eggs that hatch into larvae, followed by pupae, then mature to adults. Each part of the life cycle must be targeted to eliminate the infestation from the home through vacuuming, steam cleaning, and washing.  

If you notice a flea infestation in your home, all pets are considered at risk and should be checked for fleas by your veterinarian, and appropriate treatment should be started immediately.  

How To Get Rid of a Flea Infestation

If pet parents notice an active flea infestation, it’s important to act fast. Some steps pet parents can take include: 

• Ensure your cat or dog is on a year-round flea and tick preventative. 

• With a flea comb, routinely check your cat or dog for fleas. 

• Vacuum all carpet and rugs thoroughly. 

• Wash all bedding and rugs frequently. 

• Steam-clean furniture in the home. 

• Use a pet-safe spray to treat fleas indoors, such as Vet’s Best Indoor Flea & Tick Home Spray. 

• Contact a pest control company or apply pet-safe outdoor treatment, such as Vet’s Best Flea + Tick Yard & Kennel Spray. 

It can take several months to completely eliminate fleas within the home, so it’s important to be patient and consistent with treatment.