Fleas are the most important ectoparasites in domesticated dogs and cats worldwide. Among the more than 2,500 described flea species, the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis and the dog flea Ctenocephalides canis are the predominant flea species of companion animals.
Flea-borne diseases are a problem not only for companion animals, as both, cat and dog fleas, can also infest humans. Flea-related dermatitis is one of the most common causes for companion animals visiting a veterinarian practice.