Can Humans Get Fleas From Dogs?

It’s true, people can get fleas from dogs, but does a dog flea become a human flea?  

While we can be bitten by fleas, humans cannot host fleas. The dog flea cannot survive on humans for two reasons: 

1. Dog fleas need dog blood to eat. 
2. Humans aren’t hairy enough to provide ample hiding coverage or the warm environment that dog fleas seek in a home. 

Most fleas figure this out quickly and will return to your pup or seek a safer spot in your home. This makes pest control and treating your home a key part of flea prevention. 

Flea bites—and fleas—are pretty distinctive. 

Unlike mosquito bites, flea bites remain small. And if a flea bites you, you might see one or more of the following: 

• Bites that appear as small, red bumps 
• A red “halo” around the bite center 
• Bites in groups of three or four, or in a straight line 
• Bites that appear around the ankles or legs 

In humans, flea bites do not require specific treatment. 

They’re gross to think about because when fleas bite you, they secrete saliva into your bloodstream. That flea saliva triggers your body to release histamine and send it to the bite, which in turn causes itchiness and swelling. 

Once you get past the ick factor, you can relieve the itching and swelling by: 

• Washing the area with soap and water. 
• Applying a topical over-the-counter antihistamine cream as necessary. 
• Avoiding the temptation to scratch. 

First off, get rid of those fleas right away. Why? 

In dogs, fleas can lead to hot spots or cause anemia in cases of heavy flea infestations, especially in young or debilitated dogs. 

Plus, certain fleas can transmit several diseases, like tapeworms. 

If you do spot fleas on yourself, it’s likely your dog is the source of the flea problem; so, it’s best to initiate treatment, as well as get a fecal exam for your dog, to get rid of fleas right away. 

To get rid of fleas from your four-legged friend, you’ll first need to comb their hair with a flea comb, like the Frisco flea comb.

Then, you’ll bathe your dog with dish soap or a flea shampoo (as long as your dog is old enough for one), like Advantage Flea & Tick Treatment Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies. 

Once you’ve conquered the flea infestation, both in your home and on your dog, continue with flea and tick prevention, which includes:  

• Flea collars: These are medicated collars that your dog wears to repel and/or kill fleas. Seresto is a vet-recommended flea and tick collar that offers eight months of protection. Non-greasy and odorless, it’s available without a prescription for dogs at least 7 months old.

• Oral flea and tick treatments: These are taken orally and typically come in a yummy chewable form. Some, like Credelio Quattro, protect against internal parasites as well.

• Topical flea and tick treatments: Topical flea control products (also called spot-on treatments), like K9 Advantix II, are applied directly to your dog’s skin. 

Note: It is not recommended to use flea shampoo and topical flea treatments at the same time or very close together. Using both together may increase the risk of adverse effects and reduce the efficacy of the preventive medicine. Your veterinarian can recommend the best flea and tick prevention for your pet. 

Take the following steps to treat your home environment: 

1. To start, vacuum everything. That includes all floors, rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and crevices around the baseboards and cabinets. Doing so helps stimulate the pre-adult fleas to emerge from their protective cocoons and removes flea eggs.

   • Be sure to discard the vacuum cleaner bag or empty the canister after use.  

   • Use a handheld vacuum, like the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+, to get in the hard-to-reach areas of your home.  

2. Wash all human bedding, throw rugs, and pet beds. Use laundry detergent and hot water to ensure you completely eradicate the fleas before treating your home with any flea products.  
3. Apply indoor flea sprays. Indoor flea sprays, like Advantage Household Spot & Crevice Spray, should be applied to carpets, pet bedding, and furniture. 

Sprays that contain insect growth regulators (IGRs), like Martin’s, will help destroy flea larvae. 

To kill fleas, spray a product containing an IGR and repeat every 14–21 days for three to five applications. 

Fleas prefer tall grass and shaded areas near decks, woodpiles, or storage buildings, so concentrate on these areas. 

Dogs fleas and cat fleas are often one in the same, so it’s important that all pets in your home are on a flea preventive. Consider this part of your pet’s wellness plan. 

To prevent fleas on your dog, ensure they’re on a year-round flea and tick medication. Again, your vet can recommend the best preventive for your pup. 

If you’ve thoroughly treated your home and pets for fleas and have been enjoying the flea-free life, remember it’s possible they can “come back.” 

That’s because flea pupae can remain dormant inside their cocoons for up to nine months before emerging. During this time, they are resistant to insecticides applied to the environment. 

This is important to remember, because adult fleas may emerge into the environment a considerable length of time after you apply insecticides in your home. It doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It just means you need to re-treat your home and yard and ensure your dog remains on a flea preventive. 

Q: How long can fleas live on humans? 

A: Fleas may jump on humans as hitchhikers or for a quick meal if their preferred host is not available. However, fleas do not live on humans for extended periods of time. 

Q: Can humans get fleas in their hair from fleas on dogs? 

A: While fleas can bite people, they don’t live in human hair. Fleas prefer animal fur because it offers more warmth and protection. If a flea does jump on you, they tend to bite exposed areas close to the ground, like the ankles and legs. 

Q: Can humans get flea bites from fleas on dogs? 

A: Yes, humans can get flea bites from dogs. The bites look like small, red bumps and typically appear in groups of three or four or in a straight line.