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-   -   How to get fleas off kittens under six weeks old? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=584509)

  • Jun 28, 2011, 10:39 AM
    Cheriann
    How to get fleas off kittens under six weeks old?
    I have three four week old kittens that have quite a few fleas on them. I need to find something I can use to get rid of them. I also have a boxer and a Dalmatian dog and I do not want a problem with them and fleas. What do you recommend that I do.
  • Jun 28, 2011, 10:56 AM
    Wondergirl

    Does the mother cat have fleas too?

    Do you have a flea comb?

    There's a very stringent procedure for dealing with fleas to get rid of them entirely. Will type it in a new post.
  • Jun 28, 2011, 11:18 AM
    Wondergirl

    This is taken and edited from a post by our site's retired vet --

    Probably the safest thing to do for a kitten is to bathe it. I wouldn't waste your time with flea soaps. For the good they do, or don't, just stick with regular dish soap like Dawn or Ivory. Fleas don't like water and seem to keep ahead of it when you bathe the pet. Since we always start with the back end of the animal, the front end (ears, eyes, nose, mouth) winds up with all the fleas. Don't get soap in the kitten's mouth or eyes; stick with water and the flea comb on its head. Don't hurry. Rinse the kitten well. Use a flea comb because you'll see several to quite a few fleas immobile in the wet hair. Comb 'em out, finish with a final, and thorough rinse, and down the drain they go. Dry kitty, and keep warm. You will probably have to repeat this several times until there is little evidence of fleas. The heavy infestation is what kills the babies, not an occasional flea.

    Now, what are you going to do about Mom? Soon as she gets back in with the kids, they will be covered again, just not as bad, but soon she will have carried a bunch back to them.

    A non chemical treatment that is inexpensive and relatively safe is diatomaceous earth. It's an extremely fine powdery substance made of ancient sea deposits of diatoms...microscopic organisms like, but much smaller than plankton. This is so fine it plugs up the spiracles, or 'breathing' holes in the flea, or any other insect's outer cuticle, and they smother. It is also so fine that it quite dusty and can easily be inhaled deep into the lungs. Not so 'fine'. So otherwise it may be good on animals. It is safe, otherwise... completely non toxic. You may try it on carpeted areas. Hardwood floors usually have a small space between the boards...good places for flea eggs to develop. Cement floors, like basements..also plenty of holes for eggs. And also a very good candidate for a hot spot. If you find it impossible to get rid of the fleas, you have probably missed a hot spot, indoors or out if Mom goes outdoors.
  • Jun 28, 2011, 11:20 AM
    clafairey

    Have a read through this: How to get rid of Fleas on Kittens

    I hope you sort your problem soon. :)
  • Jun 28, 2011, 10:55 PM
    paleophlatus
    Comment on Wondergirl's post
    About the DE, use 'food grade', as it has not been treated as the DE used in water filters. It is probably available at a feed store, as it is in my town. Per pound, it runs about .50 cents.
  • Jun 28, 2011, 11:08 PM
    paleophlatus
    If the dogs and cats live, or even share, the same space, the dogs already have fleas, and will need treating as well. The flea life cycle is carried out in the animal's environment, starting with the animal. Eggs are laid on the animal and fall off all around in the environment... on furniture, in closets, behind furniture, as they walk and everywhere they walk, basements (if you have one),. essentially anywhere the animal spends any amount of time.

    In a matter of a few weeks from being laid as an egg, a new flea can start it's cycle again. Temperatures of 65-80 degrees F, and 70% humidity, or more, are conducive to rapid development.

    Fleas on young kittens can be especially dangerous if not controlled... they suck blood when they bite and can cause a severe anemia in an animal as small as a young kitten.

    Speak to your vet about his recommendation for the latest products for flea control on your pets and in their environment. Maybe even take one of the kittens to see him for his evaluation.
  • Aug 5, 2012, 07:18 PM
    shearine
    I treated the mother to frontline flea killer, and bathe the kittens with dawn dishwashing liquid. Now I am seeing a few fleas on the kittens. What should I do
  • Oct 17, 2012, 07:46 AM
    lobsterlover101
    I bathed my kitten and seems to make her sneeze and very sick. Try not to bathe so much she can catch nuemonia. Also there is an oatmeal bath that works at getting rid of fleas and/dogs it also repairs their skin and fur if there is a problem with it. Makes the animal shinny and a beautiful coat.

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