Can cat fleas live on humans?

Flea bite on person. Photo: FCG/Shutterstock

No, cat fleas can't live on humans because there is not enough hair to protect them. They don't live on the scalp either. The human is simply unsuitable for a cat or dog flea. Although occasionally a person might be bitten on their feet or ankle by a cat flea. This might occur if fleas are in the carpet waiting to jump onto a cat, and instead they jump onto the feet of the cat's owner. And judging by some photos people occasionally get a rash of flea bites. They must live in or have visited places where there are hordes of fleas. So, fleas do enjoy a drink of human blood.

Humans are not a preferred host of C. felis (cat flea).

Owners of full-time indoor cats sometimes ask how their cat can get fleas if they live inside the home all the time. One way is for the homeowner to walk a cat flea into the home on their clothes. Or perhaps the family dog, if there is one, can walk fleas into the home. Flea comb your cat every day if you want to make sure she is flea-free. 

Here is the above photo in realistic colour. It is shocking. I can hardly believe it.

Said to be flea bites. Getty Images.

RELATED: Flea treatments can kill or cause harm: please read the instructions and use caution.

Constant vigilance is the byword. But as you know you have to take a holistic approach: the whole house needs to be checked out and cleaned and not just the fur on your cat's back.