Cat fleas vs. dog fleas

My dog and cat both have fleas, but I'm unsure if I should get different treatment. Are fleas on cats and dogs the same?

Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) are two distinct species, with small physical differences in head shape and leg structure that only a trained eye (or microscope) can spot. 

But are cat fleas and dog fleas different enough to change your treatment approach? No.

Here’s what actually matters to you: if fleas have made it into your home, they're almost always cat fleas, regardless of which pet (or pets) they're on. That's because the cat flea isn't picky about its host. It feeds on dogs, wildlife, and even people just as readily as it does on cats, which is exactly why it's the species you're most likely to find indoors. Dog fleas are pickier about where they live, sticking mostly to outdoor or rural areas, so they rarely turn up in a household infestation.

That's why dog vs cat fleas isn't usually the most useful way to think about a flea problem. What matters more is getting treatment for your pet, and — if the fleas have spread to your home — residential flea control.