Newborn Kittens Have Fleas

In consultation with your vet kittens over 4 weeks old may be treated with capstar there is a minimum weight requirement.

Newborn kittens have fleas. Fleas can make kittens itchy and spread disease and if they re really severe they can even cause serious blood loss and illness. Slightly older kittens may be able to handle some medication or a flea brush but make sure to consult your vet first to avoid harming your kittens. As soon as you notice there are fleas either in the house or on a pet take action. Blood sucking parasites can be fatal to kittens as they can cause anemia or a low red blood cell count or carry lyme disease.

Check the kitten for fleas by combing through the fur with your fingers or with a flea comb. However most professional flea and tick products contain toxic ingredients that can be fatal to kittens. The mother may have fleas the kitten may have picked them up outside or sand tracked indoors can even contain fleas. The worst thing you can do is nothing.

It hasn t let me down yet. When the fleas surface pluck them out and send down the drain. Every foster parent should have 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.

Put a thick soapy lather of dawn around the neck and ears first as they will run fast and far to get away from the soap. Newborn kittens with fleas or ticks should be treated immediately. Other flea medications safe for kittens list 8 weeks of age as a minimum. Take a dry hand towel and spray the ovitrol or other flea tick spray and cover the towel.

Some methods for getting fleas off of pets such as flea combing and bathing will only kill the adult fleas on your kitten they don t prevent new fleas from jumping on them. Fleas hate it but it is safe for your pet. Fleas can make a new home on your kitten in many ways even in indoor cats. Cats with a heavy infestation or pale coats are easier to diagnose fleas.

Again newborn kittens need manual flea removal. Apply a new layer with a towel every couple of days. Have tweezers at your side. Signs of fleas on kittens close up of a flea and flea dirt in a cat s coat a flea infestation isn t always evident especially if the cat has a dark coat or the flea population is low.