Can Newborn Kittens Get Fleas
The preventive to treat kittens with fleas.
Can newborn kittens get fleas. These little bloodsucking insects can cause major problems for kittens and need to be removed. Keep a very close eye for fleas on kittens as a heavy infestation can kill. Kittens are especially delicate and some flea treatments are not safe. Look for flea treatments that are approved for kittens.
Most of the fleas will die and those that won t will be stunned enough so that they re easy to pick off. While you re drying them pick the fleas off with tweezers and wash them down the sink. Only use topical medications to treat fleas on the mother. Most flea control products are not safe to use on kittens under 6 8 weeks old.
Most products are safe for use in kittens older than 8 10 weeks or over 1 5 2 pounds but every product is different. When i did this i had a small bowl of water with a drop of dawn in it. To kill anything that the bath didn t completely get rid of we need a preventative. Fleas will literally suck the life out of kittens so it s very important that you get rid of the fleas.
Take a wet washcloth to clean the ring behind the ears and to wash the chin and face. If you don t have too many kittens at once or have time a flea comb can really help to discourage and get rid of the fleas. Dry the baby with warm towels so we don t drop their temperature too much and dry the best you can. However they can be very dangerous to young cats.
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. Newborn kittens with fleas or ticks should be treated immediately. Then remove the fleas from the kitten. As for getting the fleas off of the kittens bathe them in warm water and dawn dish detergent.
I would flea comb her after her bath before placing her on the heating pad wrapped in the towel. There aren t many things cuter than a kitten but imagine your shock when playing with your new pet and finding fleas. While many medications such as frontline plus are safe to use on nursing mothers other brands may carry risks. The best options for getting rid of fleas on kittens depends on their age and weight.
Make sure to talk to your vet about a safe medication for a nursing mother. If in any doubt whatsoever seek veterinary attention immediately. Follow the advice of your vet. If you are removing fleas from a newborn kitten.
Also never use medication designed for dogs or adult cats these could be deadly to a kitten. I would also try to flea comb her once she had dried. Blood sucking parasites can be fatal to kittens as they can cause anemia or a low red blood cell count or carry lyme disease.