Do Newborn Kittens Have Fleas

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Do newborn kittens have fleas. This application kills the adult fleas but not their offspring. If you have a kitten under 8 weeks old that has fleas it s a better idea to use a flea comb to remove the fleas. Take a dry hand towel and spray the ovitrol or other flea tick spray and cover the towel. Flea collars generally don t work.

Then rub the towel over the baby kitten being sure not to get it in its eyes ears or mouth. Bathing a kitten that is younger than 8 weeks old is generally not recommended as they have difficulty controlling their body temperatures at such a young age. Keep a very close eye for fleas on kittens as a heavy infestation can kill. Blood sucking parasites can be fatal to kittens as they can cause anemia or a low red blood cell count or carry lyme disease.

While you re drying them pick the fleas off with tweezers and wash them down the sink. For very young kittens under 8 weeks the safest option is using a flea comb on them once or twice a day. Give your kitten a bath. This will allow you to physically remove the adult fleas without exposing your young kitten to potentially toxic ingredients in products.

Check the kitten for fleas by combing through the fur with your fingers or with a flea comb. Newborn kittens with fleas or ticks should be treated immediately. In consultation with your vet kittens over 4 weeks old may be treated with capstar there is a minimum weight requirement. If in any doubt.

It hasn t let me down yet. Apply a new layer with a towel every couple of days. However most professional flea and tick products contain toxic ingredients that can be fatal to kittens. Again newborn kittens need manual flea removal.

Do not use flea medications including topical spot on products flea collars dips or shampoos on young kittens unless you have been told to do so by your veterinarian. Kittens under two pounds are usually not given flea prevention as it can be too hard on their system. Most over the counter flea products will kill the kittens even if you put them on mom advantage is safe. Most of the fleas will die and those that won t will be stunned enough so that they re easy to pick off.

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. Most flea control products are not safe to use on kittens under 6 8 weeks old. Every foster parent should have a flea comb. The only way you re going to do this without harming them is to flea treat the mom cat with something that is safe to use on nursing cats get advantage from your vet.

But they very often still come in with fleas especially if they are strays or were found outside.