Cats are one of the most adorable pets you could have at home. They are tiny, cuddly, purry, and jolly. No wonder more and more people are becoming cat parents. Kittens are the cutest cat stage. However, because of their very young age, they are quite prone to some diseases. One of the most common diseases of kittens is fleas. Whether you are a cat lady or a cat guy, nothing will stop you from rescuing your little kittens from pesky little bugs like fleas. Fleas may be devastating to see on your poor kitten’s skin. However, there is no need to panic. With the right medications and practices, you can effectively get rid of fleas on your kittens. Keep on reading to find out how to cure a kitten with fleas, whatever age they may be.
What are fleas?
First things first. You need to know your enemy.
Fleas may be familiar with you because it’s one of the most common parasites of cats. However, what are fleas? Fleas are wingless insects that live off of hematophagy or sucking off the blood. Despite being wingless, fleas have nice, strong, legs that help them move around your kitten’s body. Furthermore, fleas are famous for their jumping ability, thanks to their mighty legs.
A flea’s life cycle begins with an egg. Later on, this turns into a larva. Ultimately, this becomes the adult form of the flea. It is crucial knowledge because you want to kill the fleas at all of their life stages. Thus, you know that even if you are unable to see any adult fleas on your cat, it doesn’t mean that your cat is free from fleas. It is because flea eggs are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye. They could easily be hiding in the skin and hair shafts of your cat.
How does my kitten get fleas?
Kittens don’t just get fleas magically. Moreover, because you know that fleas don’t have wings, it’s not too easy for them to move from one place to another. You might be wondering how your exclusively indoor kitten contracted fleas. It may be due to furniture, carpet, and other objects infested with flea eggs. Furthermore, other animals, such as dogs may be a carrier of fleas. Thus, it’s essential to check your cats for parasites regularly.
Are fleas on kittens harmful?
A kitten with fleas is a timebomb for an infection. It might seem harmless, but fleas may cause some damage to your kittens. You may see some cats who have them but seem okay. However, when the fleas get out of control, the real problem ensues. Fleas are irritants to your kittens. When they have fleas, they scratch their bodies like there is no tomorrow. In the process of scratching, kittens create tiny wounds on their skin. It becomes an entry point for bacteria, viruses, and fungi to cause an infection.
Furthermore, if your kittens have way too many fleas, they could also suffer from anemia. Remember that these pests fest on your kitten’s blood. Thus, a kitten with fleas, especially excessive amounts, may lose a lot of blood. If your kitten is a newborn, this is even more likely to happen.
What are home remedies for a kitten with fleas?
Flea Comb
There are some instances when giving your kittens the regular anti-flea shampoo and powder may not be feasible. In this case, you may resort to handy tools like a flea comb. This Zelta flea comb is great because it comes in two sizes. If you have a kitten that’s very small in size, you may use the smaller comb size.
Pros: Zinc alloy teeth are very sturdy, comfortable to use, no abrasions.
Cons: A bit flimsy because of the handle.
If you prefer more control over the comb, try this Plastic Handle Long Teeth flea comb. It doesn’t only work on fleas but also mites, ticks, and dandruff flakes.
Pros: All-in-one comb
Cons: One size only
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another safe and effective home remedy against cat fleas. Even humans can’t stand its smell; fleas stay away from them too! You may start by preparing a 2:1 dilution of Apple Cider Vinegar and water as a spray. Use this solution to spray directly on your kitten’s coat. This particular remedy isn’t quick-acting. Thus you may need to repeat this for a couple of times before seeing results.
What to do with a newborn kitten with fleas?
Newborn kittens have a very poor immune system. You could give them your optimum support in terms of nutrition and shelter, but they will remain fragile. They are also more likely to be sensitive to chemicals from flea and other parasitic medications. Thus, it might not be ideal for bombarding them with various types of shampoos, powders, oils, and other medications for fleas.
For a newborn kitten with fleas, it is recommended to improvise in the beginning. Make use of homemade remedies at the beginning. A simple combing of hair with a flea comb (as previously mentioned) would be one of the safest ways you could use.
Don’t attempt to apply any kind of chemical or medication on your kitten. Of course, if anything gets worse, you may always consult with your pet’s veterinarian.
How to get rid of fleas on newborn kittens?
Imagine this. Your cat has given birth to a wonderful litter of small and cute kittens. You gently pick them up, and then you find little pesky insects crawling on their delicate skin. This is just one of the worst things that could happen. In this case, your first instinct would be to get an anti-flea shampoo and rub it all over your kittens. However, this isn’t the best thing to go about the problem.
When your kittens are just newborns, and they have fleas, they didn’t just magically appear on them. The truth is, they were passed on by the mother. Thus, the most effective way to get rid of them is to treat the mother cat.
Adult cats can tolerate oral flea treatments. This Nitenpyram tablet is easy to ingest and works quickly in adult cats who have fleas. Within 30 minutes of intake, this will instantly work on your cat with fleas. This particular drug works from the inside out to kill fleas.
Pros: Quick-acting, very effective
Cons: May not be suitable if your cats have gastrointestinal problems that may impede the drug’s absorption.
What is a natural flea treatment for kittens?
If you’re a cat mom or a cat dad, you might be looking for natural treatments for your kitten with fleas. It is most especially if you have very young kittens. You don’t want to expose them to harsh chemicals at a young age. The mdxconcepts Organic Cat Flea and Tick Spray is a bestselling all-natural spray for fleas in kittens. What’s good about this particular spray is that it’s fast-acting. Its main ingredient instantly kills adult fleas and eggs. Moreover, it’s also very easy to use because it is in spray form.
Pros: All-natural and organic, easy to use
Cons: Comes in one scent (Rosemary)
What are good flea shampoo for kittens under 8 weeks?
Kittens who are under 8 weeks or 2 months are considered very young. Therefore, as a cat owner, you only want to use shampoos with gentle yet effective ingredients.
Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath
Try using the Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath. It is ideal for kittens 8 weeks or younger. Because it’s a waterless bath, it’s great for young kittens who might not be able to tolerate baths or showers. They are proven safe for these young little ones. Moreover, they’re tough on fleas despite their gentleness on kittens’ young skins.
Pros
Waterless, convenient, quick to use
Cons
On the expensive side
Paws and Pals Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo
An excellent alternative to this would be the Paws and Pals Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo. It comes in a large 20-ounce bottle, so you get more bang for your buck. This clinically formulated shampoo provides instant relief of fleas without being too harsh on your kittens’ delicate skin.
Pros
Instant relief
Cons
Too much product if you’re only going to use it a few times
What is a flea treatment for kittens of 3 weeks old?
Three weeks is a very young age for kittens to be having parasites feasting on their skins. It is where homemade remedies will come into play. You don’t want to introduce any kind of pesticide or chemicals on these kittens. Their young age makes them highly susceptible to chemical hypersensitivity. Furthermore, they are unable to tolerate even small amounts of pesticides because systemic absorption is at its peak.
A handy cat flea comb is the best tool you can use for kittens of 3 weeks old. It is very safe and will get you instant results. Make sure you’re regularly disinfecting the comb after each use to avoid cross-contamination.
Pros: Very affordable, comes in different sizes
Cons: Not very well-made
What is a flea treatment for kittens of 7 weeks old?
Seven weeks old is still young for strong anti-parasitic medications. Typically, your veterinarian will be reluctant to prescribe medications unless the fleas are out of control. The good thing you can do is to use mild dish soap and water to rinse your kitten’s coat. Along with this, comb your kitten’s coat with a flea comb while wet. It increases the chances of trapping the flea in the comb.
While doing this, make sure you’re avoiding putting any soap or water on your kitten’s eyes or ears. After the combing session, make sure to dry your kitten with a soft towel thoroughly. This method won’t eliminate all of the fleas right away but surely will provide immediate relief. Furthermore, this will prevent the number of fleas from increasing until your kitten can tolerate the medicated shampoos.
What is a flea treatment for kittens of 8 weeks old?
An 8-week old kitten may be able to tolerate some mild, natural medications for fleas. However, make sure to be picky when it comes to the shampoo or other products you may use. Make sure they are mild, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic. If you are unsure, you may always talk to your veterinarian for a more guided shopping.
Adams Plus Flea and Tick shampoo
The Adams Plus Flea and Tick shampoo are famous for its toughness on fleas and gentleness on animal’s skin. You may dilute the shampoo in water to make sure your kitten’s skin won’t be irritated. It has a sensitive skin formula, including aloe, coconut, and oatmeal. One thing to take note of is that this shampoo contains pyrethrin. Don’t forget to perform a patch test first or dilute the shampoo (1:10) in water to avoid hypersensitivity reactions.
Pros
Highly effective, easy to use
Cons
May cause hypersensitivity reactions in young kittens
What is a flea treatment for kittens of 12 weeks old?
You may use an anti-flea collar for kittens of this age. Remember to choose one that’s appropriate for your kitten’s age. These collars are great because they are not in direct contact with your kitten’s skin. Furthermore, they are no-fuss to use and are highly effective. The only downside to this product is it may be unsuitable for very young kittens. It may cause some hypersensitivity reactions depending on how your kitten processes the active ingredient. For this, you may perform a patch test before use.
Pros: Works for over 8 months
Cons: A bit expensive
How do I prevent fleas from coming back?
If you’ve had a kitten with fleas, they could always come back if you’re very lax. Thus, you should observe some preventive measures, so you’re sure that those pesky fleas won’t come back and haunt your pets. Make sure to clean surrounding furniture, carpets, and other objects that fleas and flea eggs may stay. This way, you won’t have any recurrence of flea infestations on any of your pets.
Understandably, you get worried over your kittens, especially if you spot insects crawling on their skin. They are quite helpless at an early age and would need your help when it comes to these parasites. By following the tips above, you can easily rid your kittens of fleas!
