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Dog Flea Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis) (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

andPhillip Kaufman
Contacts: Edwin Burgess


Release Date: 4/29/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-in1033-2014

Agriculture

Abstract

This document provides an overview of the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis, including its biology, distribution, and medical significance. It details the flea’s life cycle, from egg to adult, and highlights its role as an ectoparasite on various mammalian hosts. The article also discusses the flea’s ability to transmit parasitic worms and cause allergic reactions in pets. Management and prevention strategies for controlling flea infestations are outlined, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and the use of chemical treatments.

About this Publication

This document is EENY589, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2014. Revised December 2025. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

How to Cite

Seraydar, K. R., & Kaufman, P. (2014). Dog Flea Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis) (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). EDIS, 2014(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in1033-2014

Authors

Krista Seraydar
Krista Seraydar
Phillip Kaufman
Phillip Kaufman
external
University of Florida

former professor/Extension entomologist, UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, professor and department head, TAMU Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University

Contacts

Edwin Burgess
Edwin Burgess
Specialist
University of Florida

assistant professor, veterinary entomology, Department of Entomology and Nematology

Publication #EENY589