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What do fleas eat?
- By Emma
-
- February 4, 2026
Fleas feed exclusively on blood. Adult fleas are parasites that live on our pets, us and other mammals. They survive by biting their host and drinking small amounts of blood. Flea saliva contains anticoagulants that keep the blood flowing while they feed, which is why flea bites often itch or become irritated.
Flea larvae, however, eat something different. They do not feed on blood directly. Instead, they consume organic debris found in their environment, especially what’s called flea dirt, which tiny particles of dried blood excreted by adult fleas. Larvae may also eat skin flakes, hair, and other microscopic matter in carpets, bedding, or soil.
Fleas need regular blood meals to reproduce. Female fleas require blood to produce eggs, which is why infestations can grow quickly once fleas find a suitable host.
Click here to find out about the flea life cycle and how an infestation happens.
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