How to Kill Fleas Safely on Kittens

Fleas can cause a variety of illnesses, including anemia. Many flea control products contain chemicals that can harm your kitten. One chemical, permethrin, is considered to have a low toxicity to dogs, but is extremely toxic in cats. While warnings will come on packaging labels not to use spot-on treatments containing permethrin in cats, some pet owners will make the mistake and assume that their cat can use such a product. The use of permethrin in kittens can lead to permethrin toxicosis. Such exposure results in seizures, salivation and possibly death, indicates Vetinfo. Though washing and manually removing the fleas is a taxing method for removing fleas from your kitten, it will be a safer process.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Kitchen gloves
  • Dish soap
  • Flea comb
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Toilet paper
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Instructions

    • 1
      Wash your kitten in the sink.

      Fill your kitchen sink with warm water. Ensure that the water isn't hot enough to scald your kitten. Test the water with your wrist. If the water burns your wrist, the water is too hot.

    • 2

      Place your kitten in the water up to its neck. Gently massage your kitten's coat. Use kitchen gloves to protect your hands and forearms if your kitten begins to claw you during bathing. Use a sponge to dab your kitten's face. Take your kitten out of the sink and place it on a towel. Drain the sink.

    • 3
      Use a mild dish soap.

      Rub a gentle dish detergent soap such as Dawn onto your kitten's fur, recommends Vetinfo. Get the soap around your kitten's ears, neck and under its chin.

    • 4

      Fill your sink with warm water before placing your kitten back into the sink. Rinse the soap off and thoroughly wipe around your kitten's face with the sponge. Remove your kitten and dry it with a towel.

    • 5

      Take your flea comb and rub a dab of petroleum jelly through it, which will catch flees in the comb. Comb through your kitten's fur and manually remove any fleas you see. Place the fleas onto a piece of toilet paper. Flush the paper once you've completed combing your kitten.