Treatment FAQ

how early can a cat start flea treatment

by Imelda Shields Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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At what age should kittens have flea treatment? Young 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.

Full Answer

How old do kittens have to be to use flea treatment?

With kittens, flea treatment products place restrictions on the minimum age of the pet using the product. Look at the age restrictions for the following products: Advantage - Kittens must be eight weeks or older. Frontline® - Kittens must be eight weeks or older. Revolution® - Kittens must be eight weeks or older.

When to take your cat to the vet for flea poisoning?

Your veterinarian will use your answers, the cat’s signs, and the test results to make an accurate diagnosis. It is vital to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you notice the signs of flea and tick medicine poisoning. Early detection and treatment can lead to a full recovery for your four-legged friend.

What is the best flea treatment for a kitten?

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.

Can You reapply flea treatment early?

While you can reapply flea treatment early in some cases, you should talk to your veterinarian to find the best and most effective flea treatment for your pet. Your vet will know which products are working well in your region, as some that may have been effective at one time may no longer be killing fleas the way they used to.

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How early can you put flea medicine on a kitten?

8-10 weeksStart 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.

Can I flea treat my cat early?

If you are finding fleas on your pet even after applying your pet's topical flea treatment, you might consider reapplying it early. However, this solution is not always recommended and may lead to an overdose in some rare cases.

What happens if I give my cat flea medicine too soon?

Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.

Can you apply frontline before 30 days?

There is no single answer for this frequently asked question. The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.

How old do kittens have to be to get flea treatment?

With kittens, flea treatment products place restrictions on the minimum age of the pet using the product. Look at the age restrictions for the following products: Advantage - Kittens must be eight weeks or older. Frontline® - Kittens must be eight weeks or older. Revolution® - Kittens must be eight weeks or older.

How to treat fleas on kittens?

When you want a safer method of kitten flea treatment for your pet, purchase a box of Borax Powder, some baby shampoo or Dawn dish soap and a flea comb. Make sure your bathroom is warm, use a space heater to heat the area up.

How to get rid of a kitten's fur?

Make sure your bathroom is warm, use a space heater to heat the area up. Bathe the kitten in warm water using the baby shampoo or dish soap, avoiding the nose and eyes, to create suds in the kitten's fur. Leave the suds for five minutes before rinsing.

How to get fleas off a kitten's head?

Fleas will crawl to areas on the head, such as the nose, eyes and ears. Pick them off with fingernails or blunt-tipped tweezers. Wrap the kitten up in a warm towel and scrub well. Once the kitten's fur is drier, use a flea comb to remove any addition fleas or flea eggs.

What is the best flea treatment for kittens?

Topical flea treatments effectively kill fleas and the eggs they lay. They require a prescription from your veterinarian. With kittens, flea treatment products place restrictions on the minimum age of the pet using the product. Look at the age restrictions for the following products: 1 Advantage - Kittens must be eight weeks or older. 2 Frontline® - Kittens must be eight weeks or older. 3 Revolution® - Kittens must be eight weeks or older.

Why are kittens anemic?

Younger kittens can become anemic as fleas feast on their blood. Fleas multiply quickly, so you must take immediate action on removing these parasites. However, kittens are often too young for commercialized flea treatments.

How old do kittens need to be to use flea shampoo?

Most flea dip or flea shampoo products, like Ectokyl, state that the treatment product should not be used on kittens under the age of 12 weeks. Veterinarians may recommend a diluted version of these products for younger kittens, but you must ask first.

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.

Where to apply flea drops on 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.

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.

Can fleas be treated on kittens?

Kitten Flea Treatment. i. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images. Flea infestation is not only uncomfortable for your kitten, it can also cause severe health problems, ranging from open sores to anemia if left untreated. The challenge in treating a flea-bitten kitten is that most readily available topical flea treatments cannot be used ...

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 fleas in kittens be fatal?

If you notice any of these warning signs, let your veterinarian know right away. Flea anemia in kittens can be fatal if not treated promptly.

How long after applying flea and tick preventive to cat?

For the several hours following application of a flea and tick preventive product, keep an eye on your cat for any reactions or sensitivity to the product. This is especially important when using a flea and tick product for the first time. Keep the packaging for the product for at least a day after application so that you have information as to ...

What to do if your cat has a flea or tick?

If you believe your cat has had an adverse reaction to a flea or tick preventive product, call your veterinarian and report the problem right away. Your veterinarian has access to a national reporting center that will inform the EPA. You may also wish to inform the company that manufactured the product.

How to reduce cat flea and tick reaction?

Working with your veterinarian and carefully reading labels will help reduce the incidence of reactions to flea and tick products. Make sure you know your cat’s correct weight and the proper application technique for the product. If you are careful, there is a much lower possibility of your cat experiencing any adverse effects.

What is the best way to kill ticks and fleas?

One product (spot-on or spray, etc.) should be all that is necessary to kill or repel fleas and/or ticks for the time period indicated on the package. To prevent accidental contact with flea and tick products during application, you can wear disposable gloves to protect your skin.

Can you use more than one cat spray?

Once you’ve read all the directions for proper application, be sure that you use only the amount required for your cat. Do not use more product than indicated and do not use more than one product at one time. One product (spot-on or spray, etc.) should be all that is necessary to kill or repel fleas and/or ticks for the time period indicated on the package.

Can you use cat products on dogs?

Cats should never be given products designed for use on dogs (nor should you use your cat products on your dog, if you have one). If you have any concerns, or are unsure about ...

How do you know if your cat has flea and tick poisoning?

Symptoms of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats. You may notice the signs of flea and tick medicine poisoning within the first six hours of exposure. Take your cat to the veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms: Drooling. Vomiting.

How long does it take for a cat to be released from the hospital?

The good news is your cat may be released from the hospital in just two to three days.

What to expect from a veterinarian for a cat?

Expect your veterinarian to order blood work as part of the physical exam. Your veterinarian will use your answers, the cat’s signs, and the test results to make an accurate diagnosis. It is vital to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you notice the signs of flea and tick medicine poisoning.

What to do if your cat is poisoned?

The best thing you can do for your cat in the case of poisoning is take them to the veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will start by asking questions about their medical history and the signs they are displaying at home. You can also expect your veterinarian to ask about their exposure to the chemicals.

Why do cats get fleas and ticks?

The causes of this condition are as follow: Sensitivity to the medicine. Medicine clinging to hair coats. Unusually low body temperature. Overdosing of medication. Ingestion of topical medication.

How long do you have to monitor a cat after poisoning?

Constant Monitoring. The medical staff will monitor your cat for several days to ensure they are recovering from the poisoning. This includes monitoring their blood glucose, body temperature, and kidney function. Your cat may need to remain hospitalized until their symptoms fade and their body is functioning normally.

Can ticks kill cats?

The effects range from mild to severe, depending on the amount of exposure and condition of your cat. Flea and tick medicine poisoning can be fatal if it is not treated by a veterinarian. Flea and tick medicine poisoning occurs when your cat has a negative reaction to the medication.

How long does flea medication take to dry on cats?

The short answer is to wait for it to be completely dry before giving your cat their much-deserved pets.

How long after the flea treatment do I have to wait before I can give my cat a bath?

There should be a leaflet that comes with the treatment package that answers this question. But if there isn’t one, just wait for 48 hours before giving your cat a bath. If you can wait a couple more days, even a week after treatment, that’s even better.

How long should I keep my pets apart after flea treatment?

You have to keep your treated cat away from your other cats and pets for the next 24 hours. Because although the treated cat cannot reach the medicated area on their body, the other cats or pets may possibly lick or rub up on the medication. It can come into contact with their eyes, nose and mouths which we do not want.

Conclusion

After applying your cat’s flea treatment, you have to wait 24 hours before touching them. This is to make sure that the medication is completely dry and the chemical is no longer harmful to you or your other pets. Keep your cat in a crate for the 24 hours so they don’t rub up on furniture or people.

How long does it take for flea drops to dry?

If you used simple flea drops, these should dry within about 15 to 20 minutes, at which point it should be safe to touch the cat.

Is it necessary to use flea treatments?

Having to use flea treatments may be inconvenient, but it may be necessary . The most important takeaway is that you always need to follow the exact instructions on any and every flea treatment product you buy.

Can you touch a cat after flea treatment?

Before we talk about touching and petting your cat after a flea treatment, it is important to note that most flea treatments are not overly safe. Many cats may suffer from adverse side effects from flea treatments.

Do flea collars come off cats?

This situation is a bit different with flea collars, because of course, unlike drops or sprays, flea collars are a constant application and release method; they don’t come off your cat.

Do you have to wear gloves when treating cats for fleas?

One thing to keep in mind as well is that it is always recommended to wear gloves when applying any sort of flea treatment to cats. Once again, these flea treatments contain harsh chemicals which should not come in contact with human skin. So, always wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after each application.

Why did the vet put flea drops on mom?

The vet put the drop flea treatment on mom because she had fleas and did not want the kittens to get them. Mom did fine and so did all 7 kittens but that was just my experience. You could call a vet and ask if it's okay to flea treat Mom. Nov 28, 2014. Thread Starter.

Is dawn soap safe for cats?

Also, even if the flea shampo is really OK for adult cats, there is a big risk the kittens will get some in them - which isnt necessary safe.

Can fleas flee on kittens?

Wet with the soap foam around her face, so the fleas wont try to flee on her face, and bathe.... Similiar tip if you ever must flea bathe kittens - there perhaps the ring of soap foam around their neck, as htey are smaller. With kittens be extra sure it is warm in the room, no draugh, and dry off them thoroughly afterwards.

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