what do fleas look like on cats

Fleas on cats are small, wingless insects about 2-4 mm in length, dark brown to black in color. They have laterally flattened bodies and six legs, with hind legs adapted for jumping. When full of blood, they may appear reddish- black. Fleas are fast-moving and may be seen crawling on the cat’s fur, especially around the neck, lower back, back of hind legs, and base of the tail. In addition to the live fleas, what is often noticed are flea dirt (flea feces), which look like tiny black or dark brown specks resembling dirt or pepper. These can be seen on the cat's coat or bedding and will turn reddish when wet due to digested blood content. Flea eggs may look like tiny white oval specks that are nearly microscopic. Cats with fleas often show signs of scratching, over-grooming, hair loss, scabs, and irritated skin due to flea bites. Flea bites typically appear as pink bumps or clusters of raised bumps, and severe reactions can cause widespread itching and skin inflammation. This visual and behavioral description should help identify fleas on cats effectively.