How pets get fleas

Editors Note: In a new series, DVM Newsmagazine asks experts within a variety of veterinary specialties to bust commonly held medical, business or professional myths. This month, we deal with a tiny insect.

"The biggest myth that we deal with is that most people believe their dog or cat got fleas from direct contact with another pet. The flea on the dog or cat came from a pupa, which came from larva, which came from an egg laid three to eight weeks ago. It's the biggest issue we have to hammer home."