How are fleas commonly transmitted from one dog to another?

Fleas are primarily transmitted from one dog to another through direct contact and by jumping from host to host. Fleas are highly mobile parasites capable of jumping several inches, which allows them to easily transfer from one animal to another when they come into close proximity. As dogs play and interact, they can pick up fleas from each other. This mode of transmission is crucial to understand for effective flea control, as it emphasizes the importance of treating all pets in a household to break the flea lifecycle.

Contaminated food, shared water bowls, and airborne particles are not common routes for flea transmission. Fleas do not live in food or water, nor are they spread through the air, making direct physical interaction the primary means by which these parasites move between hosts. Thus, knowing that fleas are capable of moving through direct contact can help in implementing better prevention and treatment strategies for affected pet populations.