How old do kittens have to be to get flea treatment?
Once kittens are 8-10 weeks and over 1.5-2 pounds, they can safely receive appropriate topical flea treatments. These products not only kill fleas on your kitten but can prevent new fleas from hitching a ride on your pet.
How to get rid of fleas on kittens?
Bathing your kitten is another pretty safe and effective option to help your kitten get rid of fleas. Follow these safety tips: 1 Don’t bathe your kitten more than twice a week, because frequent bathing can be damaging to their skin. 2 Keep your kitten warm during the bath and dry them quickly afterwards—kittens are not very good at maintaining their body temperature at this age. 3 Avoid flea shampoos, because they aren’t intended for use in kittens under 12 weeks of age. 4 If you use soap, choose a nonmedicated, tear-free, gentle soap only—like Dawn or baby shampoo. Soapy water helps prevent fleas from jumping out of the bathwater, although it isn’t actually necessary to remove or kill fleas. 5 Be sure to thoroughly rinse the soap off so your kitten doesn’t ingest the soap while grooming after the bath.
How much does an 8 week old kitten weigh?
An 8-week-old kitten only weighs about 1.5-2 pounds. Most products are safe for use in kittens older than 8-10 weeks or over 1.5-2 pounds, but every product is different. Typically, flea products haven’t been tested on kittens younger or smaller than that, so they may contain doses that are too high for very young, tiny kittens.
Can cats take permethrin?
Do Not Use Products With Permethrin. Cats actually have a very poor ability to process certain kinds of drugs and chemicals that humans and dogs can easily process. This poor processing ability means that these substances can be toxic for cats at very low doses, even though they are perfectly safe for dogs and humans.
Is flea medicine safe for cats?
It’s critical that you read all labels very carefully. Even if a flea product is safe for cats, it does not mean that it is safe for kittens. If you’re not sure a product is safe, simply ask your veterinarian.
Can cats use essential oils?
Many natural flea treatments use essential oils because they can be effective against fleas. However, essential oils can be very dangerous for cats, so it’s best to avoid these products, especially for kittens.
Does soap kill fleas?
Soapy water helps prevent fleas from jumping out of the bathwater, although it isn’t actually necessary to remove or kill fleas. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the soap off so your kitten doesn’t ingest the soap while grooming after the bath.
Where to apply flea treatment for kittens?
Topical flea treatments are drops or gels that are applied at the base of your kitten's neck. Because topical flea medications are pesticides, it's very important to follow the manufacturer's directions carefully and only use products labeled for use on kittens. Topical flea treatment meant for dogs can be toxic to cats.
How to treat fleas on kittens?
If your kitten weighs at least 2 pounds, you can give her a Capstar pill. These pills kill all living fleas on the kitten and can provide your kitten relief within the first few hours after the medication is administered.
Who is Jillian Peterson?
Jillian Peterson began her professional writing career in 2007, writing training manuals for the staffing industry. She contributes to eHow, specializing in staffing, employment and business-management topics.
Can fleas live on a kitten?
Fleas live on their host and survive by drinking the host's blood. In large, healthy animals this may cause itching, but in small kittens it can cause flea anemia. A kitten is considered anemic when 25 percent of his red blood cells are depleted.
Can flea products cause seizures in kittens?
Avoid using any flea products that claim to be "all natural" unless they are recommended by your veterinarian. Many of these products are not regulated and can cause serious side-effects in kittens, ranging from drooling to seizures.
Can flea shampoo kill fleas?
Flea shampoos and flea combs are effective for removing adult fleas from your kitten's fur, but they do not prevent re-infestation. If your kitten is too young to use a topical flea treatment or Capstar, consult your veterinarian before using any products that claim to kill fleas.
How old should kittens be treated for fleas?
While your vet should sell you age-appropriate products, read the label on any over-the-counter topical medication. Safe ages for treatment range from 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the pesticide. If you're not sure how old your kitten is, don't take the risk unless your veterinarian gives you the go-ahead.
How to treat fleas on kittens?
Old-fashioned, safe flea treatments for kittens still work. Buy human baby shampoo, a flea comb and Borax powder. Bathe the kitten in warm water with the shampoo, lathering up to create suds. Leave the suds on the kitten for a minimum of five minutes before rinsing with warm water. Any fleas on the kitten should crawl to his head, where you can pick them off, either with your nails or blunt tweezers. Dry him well in a warm towel. Once he's dry, comb him thoroughly with the flea comb. Put him in a warm, enclosed area.
Why do kittens have fleas?
Because kittens are so young and small, with immature immune systems, flea in festations can lead to anemia. This condition kills kittens. If you see a flea or two on your kitten or evidence of flea dirt -- those small black bits often found around the head -- try treating the kitten yourself. If your kitten is infested, take him to the vet.
Who is Jane Meggitt?
Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications.
How to get rid of fleas on kittens?
This helps to remove some of the fleas, and keep an eye on whether the infestation is lessening. You may also need to bathe your kittens using a very gentle detergent (your vet can recommend one) to help to get rid of the fleas too. Ensure that you are very gentle, and dry the kittens thoroughly afterwards.
Can fleas kill kittens?
However, virtually all effective flea treatment products contain an antiparasitic agent to kill fleas, which is not harmful to older cats but that can be too strong for young kittens, and so, this makes them inappropriate for treating tiny cats.
Can fleas cause anemia in kittens?
Additionally, whilst for most adult cats the occasional flea that is quickly treated is not usually a major problem, fleas on young kittens can have a significant impact on their health, wellness and development, leading to potential problems such as anaemia and flea bite sensitivities.
Can kittens get fleas?
Kittens can become infested with fleas virtually as soon as they are born, and while fleas are easy to treat and resolve in older cats with a spot-on treatment or other method, few products are safe to use on very young kittens.
How to treat fleas in kittens?
A few more pointers: 1 Again, newborn kittens need manual flea removal. 2 In consultation with your vet, kittens over 4 weeks old may be treated with Capstar (there is a minimum weight requirement). This application kills the adult fleas but not their offspring. 3 Other flea medications safe for kittens list 8 weeks of age as a minimum. 4 Natural, homeopathic or essential oil treatments may harm your kitten, so avoid using these, especially if you haven’t consulted your vet first.
How to get fleas out of kittens?
How to Safely Remove Fleas From Kittens. 1. Dampen the kitten’s coat. First, dampen the kitten’s coat with warm (not hot) water. “Exercise caution when bathing the kitten, as baths can be traumatic to a kitten if done incorrectly,” says Hannah Shaw, who has fostered many young kittens. “Try to complete the entire bath in less than 2 minutes, ...
Why are my kitten's gums pink?
Make sure your kittens gums are pink since this condition can be deadly, and bring your kitten to the veterinarian if you notice a discoloration. Fleas on kittens (and on any other animal) can also cause excessive scratching and skin irritation. Kittens are especially delicate, and some flea treatments are not safe.
How to keep a kitten warm?
Towel dry the kitten. Dry the kitten right away — and completely. “Place the kitten back into a warm environment, such as a heating disk or baby blanket,” says Shaw. “Kittens can easily become chilled from a bath, and it is of utmost importance that the kitten be kept warm.”. 4.
Can you use flea medicine on a kitten?
Because of newborn kittens’ young age and fragility, do not apply any type of detergent or medication on them.
Can fleas cause anemia in kittens?
William Miller Jr., VMD. “It sticks its proboscis into the skin and sucks blood. It doesn’t take too much of this sucking to cause anemia in a kitten that is carrying innumerable fleas.
How long does it take for flea medication to work?
Luckily, the quick-acting formula of the medication can kick off working after 30 minutes, and considered over 90% efficient in removing any adult flea within hours. In other words, it can relieve the itchiness and unpleasant experience for your poor kitty, much quicker than ever, and without any mess or bad smell.
How long does Capstar kill fleas?
However, according to some users, this product might not exert the effect for too long, around 48 hours maximum, which makes it less common for controlling fleas.
What are the symptoms of a syringe?
They are diarrhea, vomiting, salivation, and reduced appetite. Together with them, there are certain neurological signs, including hard breathing, seizures, incoordination, pupil dilation, and trembling. And some of them are likely to possibly result in death.
Does Capstar treat fleas?
Even though Capstar creates a full flea treatment regimen for cats and dogs, there would be other choices available for all cats and dogs that provide different degrees of protection against fleas and other pests . They’re mosquitoes, ticks, lice, and flies.
