Treatment FAQ

when can kittens start flea treatment

by Mrs. Coralie Gislason DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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8 weeks

What is the best flea treatment for a kitten?

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. Small kittens are subject to poisoning if you use the product at full strength.

When can you start giving a kitten flea medicine?

Flea treatments for kittens 8 to 13 weeks of age and older If your kitten is at least 8 weeks of age or older, you have lots more options to treat fleas, including these topical treatments: Advantage II: Can be used on kittens 8 weeks or older and weighing 2 pounds or more. Frontline Plus: Can be used on kittens 8 weeks or older. There is no minimum weight requirement.

How do you kill fleas on kittens?

Topical flea treatment meant for dogs can be toxic to cats. Frontline and Advantage are two popular brands that can be used on kittens as least eight weeks old. Revolution is a newer product that can be used in kittens as young as six weeks.

How do you get rid of fleas on a kitten?

Aug 23, 2021 · The challenges with flea treatments in young kittens Once kittens reach eight to twelve weeks of age, many of the most popular veterinary approved flea products can be used on them, and so the main issue when it comes to fleas occurs in kittens under eight weeks old, which is when a flea infestation is potentially the most risky.

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What flea treatment is safe for kittens?

Capstar Flea Control TabletsCapstar Flea Control Tablets are safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks old and start killing fleas within 30 minutes. 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.Aug 17, 2021

Can you put flea medicine on a 6 week old kitten?

However, veterinarians advise that kittens under the age of eight weeks not be treated with flea medication. The fleas can cause anemia in kittens, and they will cause the small kittens to scratch constantly, which can be very annoying and uncomfortable.Sep 26, 2017

Can you treat a 7 week old kitten for fleas?

If the kitten weighs more than 2 pounds, you can safely use Capstar, an oral medication that will kill adult fleas. Get it from your vet. You can also bathe the kitten in warm water with a few drops of Dawn dish liquid.

How do I get rid of fleas on a 5 week old kitten?

0:221:49Kitten & Cat Care : How to Treat Newborn Kittens With FleasYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith a mild shampoo it doesn't have to be a chemical flea shampoo any shampoo will do just lather upMoreWith a mild shampoo it doesn't have to be a chemical flea shampoo any shampoo will do just lather up let the lather sit for like five minutes rinse.

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.

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.

How to get rid of fleas on kittens?

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. Place the kitten in a basket lined with a heating pad covered in a blanket and let the kitten groom him/herself.

Can you leave your house with flea bombs?

When using flea bombs, you and your pets must leave your house for a few hours while the product works. This is problematic, especially with kittens that may not enjoy traveling. If you opt to stay overnight in a hotel, it can be hard to find hotels that accept animals.

Do flea bombs kill fleas?

While flea bombs do effectively kill fleas, they do not kill the eggs. Flea eggs hatch up to a week later.

Can you use flea shampoo on kittens?

Flea Dip and Flea Shampoo Products. 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. Small kittens are subject to poisoning if you use ...

How old is a kitten when fleas are treated?

Flea treatments for kittens 8 to 13 weeks of age and older. If your kitten is at least 8 weeks of age or older, you have lots more options to treat fleas, including these topical treatments: Advantage II: Can be used on kittens 8 weeks or older and weighing 2 pounds or more. Frontline Plus: Can be used on kittens 8 weeks or older.

How long does it take for Capstar to kill 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.

How to keep kittens warm?

To prevent a recurrence of the fleas, it's important to also wash the kittens' bedding, vacuum the surroundings, and treat the kittens' mother if she's living with you . Fleas can remove enough blood to make kittens anemic, so confirm that the kittens' gums are pink.

Can kittens get fleas?

Even newborn kittens can get fleas which are often spread from the mother cat to the kitten. However, flea control medications must not be used on very young kittens. For kittens younger than 4 weeks, groom with a flea comb, or pick fleas off with tweezers. Be sure to keep the kittens warm while you're working with them.

Can fleas be used on dogs?

Note that you should NEVER use a flea treatment labeled for use on dogs on your kitten as it can result in serious side effects or even be fatal to your kitten.

Can fleas cause anemia in kittens?

Therefore, it's important to eliminate the fleas as soon as you identify the problem. But not all flea medications are safe to use on delicate young kittens.

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 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 old do puppies need to be to get flea and tick treatment?

Most of the products available are not recommended for use on animals younger than 8 weeks old, and that can leave new pet parents in a pickle. Thankfully, there are safe and effective options for young puppies and kittens. Read on to learn more about flea and tick ...

How long does it take for fleas to emerge?

Then they cocoon themselves in 0.5 mm-long pupae as they develop into adult fleas. It usually takes 8-28 days for the pests to emerge, depending on the climate, though they can remain dormant in their cocoons for up to 50 weeks depending on temperature and other stimuli.

Why is flea prevention important for dogs?

Kitten and puppy flea and tick prevention is important for your pet’s health and happiness—and your own health and happiness, too. Those little bloodsuckers can cause distress and anemia in young animals, not to mention skin irritation or worse, Dr. Dryden says.

What does warm weather mean for pets?

Warm weather means it’ s time to enjoy the great outdoors with your pets. It also means it’s time to think about flea and tick prevention for puppies and kittens, because those little parasites are out in full force when the sun comes out. If you have pets, you probably already take precautions against fleas and ticks.

What is the most common type of tick in the United States?

Ticks are another type of critter altogether. Several species affect dogs and cats, but the most common are the hard ticks, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, aka the brown dog tick, which can be found everywhere in the United States, even in colder regions.

How long does it take for a tick to develop?

Many hard ticks follow a three-host lifecycle that can take two or three years to complete.

What is the most common type of flea in dogs?

Fleas. The most common type of flea to affect dogs and cats is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Counsel. C. felis goes through a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult.

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 treatment for kittens?

Taking the spot for the best overall flea treatment for kittens is the Frontline Plus Cat & Kitten Flea and Tick Treatment . Suitable for kittens over 8 weeks of age, this long-lasting and effective flea treatment is super easy to apply.

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 Frontline Plus last?

This long-lasting treatment remains active for 30 days after application and gets to work straight away to kill fleas and their eggs and larvae.

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.

Does Zoetis Revolution kill fleas?

If you’re looking for a premium choice for your kitten, then the Zoetis Revolution Topical Solution Flea Treatment is our recommendation. This kills adult fleas and prevents eggs from hatching, but it doesn’t affect the flea larvae, so you may need a few treatment cycles before you notice that all the fleas have gone.

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 to get rid of fleas on kittens?

If you do choose to bathe your kitten to get rid of fleas, follow these steps: 1 Fill the sink with a shallow amount of warm water and gently introduce the kitten. 2 Avoid wetting their head. If they have fleas on their head, wet a cloth and carefully wipe the area clean. 3 Use a very small amount of kitten approved soap or shampoo to wash them. 4 Do not take too long as the water can get cold and promote problems. 5 Rinse carefully and dry by gently massaging them with a dry warm towel.

Can you use salt water on kittens?

Fleas are not an exception and saltwater can be used as an effective deterrent. However, it is not to be used on the kitten themselves. Fleas spend 3/4 of their lives away from the host, so getting rid of fleas on your kitten won't be sufficient to eliminate an infestation. To do this, you need to take all of their blankets, toys, beds and anything the kitten comes in touch with and clean them thoroughly.

Can you use apple cider vinegar for fleas?

This solution is one which should be used when you don't have access to other fleas treatment until later. The apple cider vinegar can be used as a preventative and deterrent rather than as an insecticide.

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