What is the best age to flea treat a kitten?
Some flea treatments are suitable for kittens from 8 weeks of age, when they’re usually still with their mother cats. Others are only suitable for kittens from 12 weeks of age.
How long does it take for flea treatment to work on kittens?
The Catego Flea and Tick treatment can be used on kittens over 1.5 pounds and at least 8 weeks of age. The topical, spot-on formula quickly gets to work and kills fleas in just 6 hours.
What should I do if my kitten has fleas?
Others are only suitable for kittens from 12 weeks of age. Signs of an overdose of flea treatment include excessive salivation, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle tremors, twitching, in-coordination, and depression. If your kitten is showing signs of any of these symptoms after their flea treatment, speak to your veterinarian immediately.
Can you bathe a 12 week old kitten with fleas?
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. Avoid flea shampoos, because they aren’t intended for use in kittens under 12 weeks of age. If you use soap, choose a nonmedicated, tear-free, gentle soap only—like Dawn or baby shampoo.
How old do cats have to be to be Flead?
8 weeksYoung kittens can be very delicate, so most flea treatments can only be given to a kitten aged 8 weeks or more. However, some flea treatments are only suitable for kittens aged at least 12 weeks.
What flea treatment is safe for kittens?
Available without a prescription, Capstar is the only flea control product safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds. With other flea control products, whether topical or oral, kittens must be at least 8 weeks old, and sometimes older.
Can 8 week old kittens have flea treatment?
Start a Topical Treatment When Your Kitten Is Old Enough 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.
What can I use on 4 week old kittens for fleas?
Capstar is a popular flea product that works within 6 hours to kill 90% of fleas, and it can be used on kittens as young as 4 weeks of age and older, provided the kitten weighs at least 2 pounds. While Capstar is fast-acting and effective at killing fleas, keep in mind that the effect only lasts for 24 hours.
What is the best way to kill fleas in cats?
Delivery Method . Flea treatments for cats may come as shampoos, dips, sprays, bombs, powders, spot-ons, orals, collars, combs, and even injections. Some delivery methods are only appropriate for killing live fleas while others will help prevent a flea from being able to reproduce.
What does it mean when a cat has fleas?
Cats that have fleas are often very itchy and may have hair loss, skin redness, and even scabs. The hair loss is often most prevalent at the base of the tail but can occur anywhere. Flea dirt, which is the black flea feces, can be seen in the fur.
How long does it take for Comfortis to kill fleas?
Does not protect against any other parasites. Flea prevention for up to one month in cats and kittens 14 weeks and older can be found in the chewable tablet option called Comfortis. This tablet works very quickly to kill fleas in as few as 30 minutes and can be crushed and mixed in your cat’s wet food if necessary.
How long does it take for Bayer Advantage 2 to work?
Bayer Advantage II is one of the go-to flea treatments for cats. It’s a set-and-forget solution, effective against fleas for four weeks and starts working in 12 hours. Simply applying the product to your cat’s neck kills fleas upon contact, without requiring them to bite the skin. It’s also fragrance-free, waterproof and kills larvae and flea eggs as well as adults.
What is the best flea collar for cats?
Our top pick is this collar from Bayer, which is effective for a full eight months and offers continuous protection from fleas and ticks. The active ingredients in the collar are released in low concentrations, protecting your cat and killing fleas on contact with the skin. The formulation is odorless and non-greasy, and is also effective against flea eggs and larvae, preventing infestations before they happen.
Can you use pyrethroids on cats?
Avoid using pyrethroids in cats as they can be toxic. These are more commonly found in some dog flea treatment products, but are still occasionally seen in cat products. Pyrethrins and permethrin products can also be dangerous to use in cats, but each cat has a different level of sensitivity.
Can flea treatments kill live fleas?
Additionally, some products will kill live fleas while others will only prevent a flea from reproducing, so not all products are appropriate for all your flea needs. Flea treatments can be used as needed if your cat gets fleas and preventatives can be given to help prevent your cat from getting fleas. Due to the potential side effects of flea ...
What Age Should Kittens Have Flea Treatment?
We have to be careful with what products we use on kittens. Unlike adult cats, kittens are still very delicate and vulnerable. Using full-strength adult treatment on such a small feline can cause several problems. They might exacerbate the issue and cause further skin irritation, or the dosage might be too high for their small bodies to handle.
What are the Best Flea Treatments for Kittens?
The best flea treatment for kittens depends on their age and weight. If you can use flea medication safely, this will be the most effective solution. However, kittens younger than 8 weeks or weighing under 2lbs require different treatments, such as combing or flea baths. Here is a look at these options in more detail.
Tips for Choosing Flea Treatment for Kittens
If you do decide to use a topical flea medication, you can’t just pick any old one off the shelf! Even kittens aged 12 weeks or more are still more delicate than adults. Choose the wrong product and it could cause them more harm. So, here are my top tips on choosing a kitten-friendly option.
Why Do I Need to Use a Flea Treatment on Kittens?
We all know that fleas are pesky parasites that are best avoided. They cause itching and discomfort, besides potentially passing on other infections to our furry friends. But when kittens contract fleas it’s even worse!
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 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.
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.
Can you use OTC for kittens?
If you’re using an OTC product, remember to check all ingredients and be sure to use the right dose for your kitten’s weight. Your veterinarian can prescribe a safe product and also give you guidance on which OTC products would be safe and effective for your kitten. Featured Image: iStock.com/SolStock.
Is permethrin safe for cats?
However, while it is safe for dogs, it’s very toxic to cats. Be extremely careful to check over-the-counter (OTC) flea products to make sure they don’t contain permethrin. 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.
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.
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.
What is a flea in cats?
Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are the most common external parasites found on cats in North America. Not only are these bugs irritating to your cat, they can also pass on other parasites such as tapeworms or lead to anemia and skin allergies. They may also transmit several serious bacterial infections to your cat and ultimately to you, ...
How many eggs do fleas lay?
Once a female flea finds a suitable host (such as your cat), she can lay up to 50 eggs per day. In addition, the immature life stages of the flea (eggs, larvae and pupae) can persist in the environment for a couple of weeks to several months.
Does flea shampoo kill fleas?
Once a major part of flea-control programs, sprays, dips and cat flea shampoos only work at killing fleas on the cat at the time of application, but do almost nothing for the hatchling fleas coming from the environment post-treatment. Many different products are available, so it is important to make sure the one you use is safe for cats.
Can you use a flea collar on a cat?
Cat Flea Collars. A cat flea collar can be an attractive option for some pet owners. They are easy to use and typically have few side effects. However, old-style flea collars may not be very effective, especially in areas of the body farthest from the collar.
Can cats take permethrin?
Some chemicals (e.g., permethrins) are not safe to use on cats. Only use the correct dose of a feline product on your cat. If you have any questions, talk to your veterinarian about how to treat your cat safely and effectively.
Can you bathe a cat with water?
Many claim to be waterproof, but if the medication resides in the skin, frequent bathing can reduce their effectiveness. They may also be rubbed or groomed off when wet, so it is best to keep an eye on your cat and avoid petting them until the liquid dries.
Does Lufenuron kill fleas?
The active ingredient (lufenuron) prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing. Since it does not kill adult fleas that may hop on your cat and bite, it is not a good choice for flea allergic cats or if it is your goal to never see adult fleas on your cat. It can prevent infestations from developing, however.
