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.
Can I use flea medicine on a newborn kitten?
This article has been viewed 106,153 times. Fleas are annoying to humans and animals, and can actually be dangerous for very young kittens. While you can safely use flea medications on nursing mothers, manual removal is usually necessary for newborn kittens.
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.
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 you give a baby kitten flea medicine?
Do not use flea products on newborn kittens; it's not safe as they are too young. If you see fleas on the kittens, you can bathe them using Dawn dishwashing liquid and use a small flea comb as needed to get the fleas off. Avoid antibacterial soaps.
How do you get rid of fleas on young kittens?
Treat Fleas With A Dish Soap BathUse comfortably warm water and a fragrance free dish liquid or a natural baby shampoo.Try to complete the entire bath in less than 2 minutes, as kittens can become panicked or chilled during this process.Wash from the neck down, avoiding the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.More items...
How do you get rid of fleas on 4 week old kittens?
Put a small amount of mild dish detergent into your palm and gently rub it into the kitten's fur. Thoroughly coat the the entire kitten. Take extra care around the eyes, ears and mouth. Place the kitten back in the water and rinse well.
How do you get rid of fleas on a 6 week old kitten?
Add a few drops of dish detergent and lather up your kitten. Let the kitten stay soapy for a total of five minutes. This should be sufficient time to kill all of the fleas. Rinse your kitten off and then dry her with a towel.
Why can't kittens have flea medicine?
A kitten's body is small so there isn't a large area to cover, and you should be able to remove the fleas with your fingers or tweezers easily. Because of newborn kittens' young age and fragility, do not apply any type of detergent or medication on them.
Can kitten fleas live in human hair?
Although cat fleas don't live in human hair, they can bite humans, especially on the ankles and lower legs.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for kittens?
Not only is Dawn dish soap safe to use on cats, but it's also very effective. Whether your cat has gotten into some mud, grease, or just has a general odor and needs to be scrubbed down, Dawn will fix your cat right up.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 to get fleas out of a cat?
A wash cloth. Put this in the sink so Kitty has a grippable surface rather than your arm. Prepare yourself and then put Kitty into the warm, not hot, water and get him wet. Add the shampoo/soapy water as soon as possible so fleas don’t have a chance to make a run for it.
How to get rid of itching in kittens?
First, be sure any itching is really due to fleas. Take a fine toothed comb and while the kittens are getting used to being handled and brushed, you’ll be able to remove a few fleas as evidence. It that plan fails, part Kitty’s fur and look for tiny black specks. This will be flea dirt (digested Kitty blood).
Why are my kitten's gums pink?
Pale gums mean anemia from flea bites and require a fast trip to the veterinarian as anemia is dangerous to tiny cats.
Can fleas float in water?
Fleas are lightweight enough to float on water. The soap will break the surface tension of the water and the flea will drown. Do not feel sorry for it. It was making your kitten ill. Petroleum jelly. Put this around Kitty’s eyes, inside his ears, around the mouth, and on his butt.
Do fleas lay eggs on kittens?
Fleas lay eggs and although you may have done in the fleas that were on the kittens, there are more who were lounging on the rug, Kitty’s bed, and on Mama. Vacuum, throw out the used bag so flea eggs don’t hatch inside it and let the fleas escape. Wash all the bedding Kitty and Mama use.
Can kittens get cold?
It’s very difficult for kittens to regulate their body temperature and they can get dangerously cold. However, faced with a flea-infested kitten, we have to consider the alternatives. In this case, the risk of anemia outweighs the risk of hypothermia, especially as the latter is easier to control in a home environment.
Can you bathe a baby kitten?
If the kittens are still nursing, you’ll have to treat Mama Cat too. Remember, any medications you give Mama Cat will migrate to the kittens through the milk – unfortunately, bathing is the best answer. Read more here about bathing an adult cat. The decision to bathe newborn or young kittens should not be taken lightly.
How to treat fleas on kittens?
Fleas do not just exist on your cats and kittens. They can live in the surrounding environment for a long time. In addition to treating your cats with flea combs, medications, and baths, you should wash all the bedding they use in warm water.
How to get rid of fleas in cats?
Topical flea medications are poisons that kill fleas when absorbed through your pet's skin. Usually, you would apply a topical medication between a cat's shoulder blades or on the back of the neck. Within a certain time frame, the medication would begin to kill fleas.
How to get a kitten to lick its face?
Fill a sink with warm water and soap. Take your kitten and immerse it to its neck in the water. Use a cloth to gently wet the kitten's face , but make sure to stay away from the eyes. Remove the kitten from the water and massage the soap into its skin. Then, submerge the kitten up to its neck again to rinse it.
Can kittens have fleas?
Learn more... Fleas are annoying to humans and animals, and can actually be dangerous for very young kittens. While you can safely use flea medications on nursing mothers, manual removal is usually necessary for newborn kittens.
Can you use Frontline Plus on a nursing mother?
Make sure to talk to your vet about a safe medication for a nursing mother. While many medications, such as Frontline Plus, are safe to use on nursing mothers, other brands may carry risks.
Can flea medication kill kittens?
Within a certain time frame, the medication would begin to kill fleas. These medications are usually safe to use on nursing mothers and should not affect your kittens. However, they can be very dangerous to young cats. Only use topical medications to treat fleas on the mother.
How old do cats have to be to take Capstar?
Despite the fact that the product direction clarifies that a cat should be more than 4 weeks of age by the time it’s cured with the Capstar flea controlling pills. According to the manufacturer, most cured animals (both dogs and cats) should weigh over two pounds before you give them these pills.
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.
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.
How to get rid of fleas on kittens?
Wash from the neck down, avoiding the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Never dunk a kitten's head under water. Create a ring of soapy water around the kitten's neck. This will act as a barrier so that the fleas do not run up the body and onto the head. Wash the neck first, then work your way down the rest of the body, ...
How to check if a kitten has fleas?
Check the kitten for fleas by combing through the fur with your fingers or with a flea comb. You may see active, live fleas which will appear as fast-moving, small, dark brown bugs that quickly dart through the fur, seeking refuge in the cat's face, belly, and armpits.
Why do kittens have itching?
Fleas are small parasitic bugs that seek a host animal, such as a kitten, and can cause severe itching, discomfort, and anemia. Because kittens' bodies are so small, they are at a high risk of flea anemia due to the loss of blood from the fleas feeding.
What does flea dirt look like?
Flea dirt looks like small black flecks of dirt, and will be present along the base of the fur. If fleas or flea dirt are present, treat the kitten for fleas right away. Never use a topical chemical treatment on a neonatal kitten, as this may be toxic to a young kitten.
How to keep a kitten warm?
Avoid the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Place the kitten back into a warm environment (read about providing a heat source to a kitten here .) Kittens can easily become chilled from a bath, and it is of utmost importance that the kitten be kept warm. Gallery - Physical Health Feature. Assessing Kitten Health.
How to bathe a kitten?
Use comfortably warm water and a fragrance free dish liquid or a natural baby shampoo. Try to complete the entire bath in less than 2 minutes, as kittens can become panicked or chilled during this process. Wash from the neck down, avoiding the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Never dunk a kitten's head under water.
How to dry a kitten's head?
Dry the kitten completely. Spot clean the head with a washcloth, sponge, or cotton round and warm, soapy water. Avoid the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
How long does flea treatment last on cats?
Many spot-on treatments are effective for around 30 days, but some aren’t waterproof, so if your cat comes into contact with water, you’ll need to re-apply. The frequency that you can give tablets varies, so make sure to read the label for each product. Section of flea life-cycle targeted.
What is the best flea and tick treatment for kittens?
Our recommendation as the best flea treatment for kittens for the money is the PetArmor Flea & Tick Squeeze-On Treatment. Suitable for kittens over 8 weeks of age and 1.5 pounds in weight, this treatment is easy to use and gets to work killing those fleas straight away. While this is a great flea treatment, it missed out on our top spot because it only acts to kill adult fleas, not the eggs or larvae.
How long does Bayer Advantage II flea treatment last?
The Bayer Advantage II Flea Treatment has been specifically designed for kittens weighing between 2-5 pounds. This spot-on treatment contains two active ingredients designed to work together in order to kill all life stages of fleas. This pack includes two pipettes, each of which protects for up to 30 days.
How long does it take for Activyl to work on kittens?
Activyl Flea Treatment is a once-a-month spot-on treatment for kittens from 8 weeks of age that weigh over 2.9 pounds. You can choose from a pack of three or six treatments. This spot-on treatment is said to eliminate 90% of fleas within the first 12 hours after it’s been applied.
What is the best treatment for fleas and ticks?
The Sentry PurrScriptions Plus Flea & Tick Squeeze-On Treatment provides five-way protection from fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, deer ticks, and mosquitoes. If you live in an area with West Nile Virus, then this is a great option as it’s effective on mosquitoes carrying West Nile.
How long does Onguard treat kittens?
This spot-on treatment can be used on kittens over 8 weeks of age, as long as they weigh more than 1.5 pounds. It contains two active ingredients designed to stop flea infestation while preventing future infestations.
What happens if a kitten loses blood from a flea bite?
So, if they lose too much blood from flea bites, their tiny bodies aren’t able to cope as well as those of adult cats. Kittens also don’t have a fully developed immune system, so they can be more susceptible to bacterial infections. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
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.