A flea infestation, even on a kitten, can be a massive health risk and it can be dangerous for its health. But, how can you treat kittens for fleas? The fact is that kittens are young and, therefore, delicate creatures. Therefore, you can’t use the typical anti-flea spray. Not only are they composed of strong chemicals, but they can also cause severe skin and allergic reactions to your kitten’s delicate skin.
Therefore, in this article, I will talk about how you can treat kittens for fleas and flea infestations. Along with that, I will also discuss at length everything that you need to know about fleas infesting your kitten and what you can do to prevent such infestations.
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What do you need to know about fleas in cats and kittens?
Of the two thousand different species of fleas in the world, cats and kittens are typically infested by a species that is popularly called the cat flea. The cat flea is, much like its other counterparts, wingless and generally travels from one animal to another by leaping high and far.
Furthermore, these fleas hide between the strands of the fur of cats and kittens and suck on their blood. They also lay eggs and gradually infest the entire bodies of these creatures.
Fleas enjoy the continuity of comfortable temperatures since the temperature of our houses is controlled using air conditioners and heating systems throughout the year anyway. This is one of the reasons why you must stay consistent with anti-flea treatments for both kittens and fully-grown cats.
What are the health risks of fleas to a cat?
The fact is that, apart from causing itchiness, fleas also have the capability to transmit serious diseases and trigger severe allergic reactions. In fact, if your kitten stays infested with fleas for too long, your kitten’s skin can be damaged beyond repair.
These parasites also cause severe systemic issues such as parasitic infections by tapeworms, anemia, and loss of blood through the sites of flea bites. Fleas can also transmit bacteria that cause cat scratch fever.
Therefore, these health risks make it absolutely necessary to stay alert when it comes to inspecting your kitten for fleas and getting rid of them.
Bear in mind that kittens should be even more protected against fleas than adult cats need to be since kittens have extremely fragile immune systems. Therefore, getting infested by fleas as a kitten can cause long-term health and immunity issues unless proper corrective and preventive measures are taken against the fleas.
How did your kitten get fleas?
Fleas are parasites that reproduce rapidly. They dwell in natural environments that are very humid and hot. Therefore, allowing your kitten to spend too much time outside may not be the best idea in terms of keeping it safe from fleas.
Having said that, fleas typically jump from the soil, plants, or other animals into your kitten before gradually multiplying in numbers.
How can you detect a flea infestation in your kitten?
To spot a flea infestation in your kitten, you simply need to watch for some of the following signs.
- Excreta left behind by fleas in your kitten’s fur or bed resembles tiny spots or smears of brown and black dirt.
- Spotting rash and excessive itchiness on your kitten’s skin.
- Being able to see live fleas moving about in your kitten’s fur or its sleeping area.
How can you treat kittens for fleas?
In treating kittens for fleas, you must be very careful with the approach you take. Typically, opting for a natural flea treatment alternative that is free of poisonous chemicals and parasiticides is a safe option for your kitten.
Here are some of the best natural flea treatments and home remedies that you can adopt to treat your kitten for fleas.
Natural flea treatments and home remedies for your kittens
Using these natural flea treatment options for your kitten can help ensure that you successfully get rid of fleas from your kitten without harming its long-term well-being.
Weekly combing sessions
You can run a fine flea comb through your kitten’s fur on a weekly basis. However, you should avoid using a flea comb on a daily basis since that might cause irritation and unnecessary hair fall.
If your flea comb happens to catch some of these parasites, you should wash them off in hot soapy water. This will kill the fleas and ensure that they are collected in a single place.
Wash your kitten’s blanket and bed with dish soap and hot water
Washing your kitten’s blanket and bed if your kitten is infested with fleas is vital in ensuring that any eggs and fleas that fall off your kitten or are laid directly on the bed are killed and washed off the fabric.
Lemons
Lemons are a rich source of citric acid, which can act as a flea repellant and killer. Therefore, you can create a lemon solution by steeping or squeezing a lemon into some water and then spraying it on your cat’s fur coat.
Apple Cider Vinegar
While apple cider vinegar doesn’t generally kill fleas, it can act as a powerful flea repellant. That said, using apple cider vinegar will only ensure that the fleas jump off your kitten’s body and into your surroundings.
Therefore, you will have to use other flea control alternatives anyway. Using apple cider vinegar can be a helpful method to keep fleas off your kitten altogether.
Can you use anti-flea sprays for digs on your cat?
No, you can’t use anti-flea spray that is made for dogs on your cats. The chemicals used might be slightly harsher for dog sprays than they are for cat sprays. Furthermore, since cats thoroughly groom themselves with their tongues, they might end up ingesting the poison.
That can have drastic consequences for its health. It would be ideal to use anti-flea sprays that are specifically manufactured for kittens and cats to drive away these stubborn parasites.
How to prevent adult flea infestations in cats and kittens?
Preventing adult flea infestations on your cats and kittens is the ideal way to ensure that your kitten stays healthy. Even though these techniques may not be successful all the time, your chances of ensuring that your kitten stays free of fleas improve substantially if you implement the following methods!
Keep your house clean.
You should wipe all surfaces using a surface disinfectant and vacuum your house and your kitten’s bedding regularly. Using a vacuum will help you suck up and dispose of the eggs and any stray fleas in your kitten’s bed, thereby controlling the flea population in your house.
Allow your kitten to groom itself.
The fact is that felines are obsessive groomers. However, their grooming helps them stay clean and identify the presence of parasites like fleas. One way to understand whether your kitten is infested with fleas is to simply keep an eye out for excessive grooming and bald patches.
Flea collars and topical flea treatments
While you should only use flea collars and topical flea treatments after consulting your vet, these products can be extremely helpful in your fight to keep these parasites off your beloved kitten.
Conclusion
In answering how can you treat kittens for fleas, the best answer would undoubtedly be to keep these parasites off and away from your kitten entirely.
However, that may not always be possible. Therefore, using the methods that I have discussed in this article, you can ensure that you get rid of all the fleas and eggs from your kitten’s fur coat!
