Even though there are many safe and effective flea treatments for both adult cats and kittens 4 weeks and older, younger kittens are equally susceptible to flea infestations. Very young kittens, in fact, are at greater risk than older ones for developing flea-related anemia.
If your tiny kitten is flea-ridden, try some natural flea control until the little one is ready for a commercial flea medication.
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Some Commercial Flea Treatments for Kittens
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Capstar and Program tablets are flea medications for kittens as young as 4 weeks weighing as little as 2 lbs. Either conceal the tablet in your kitten's food or put it in her mouth. Treat all your other pets that fleas might have infested.
Revolution, ProMeris and Advantage are topical spot treatments safe for use in kittens of 6 to 8 weeks old. Apply them by parting the hair on the back of your kitten's neck and emptying the vial onto his skin. Their effects last between 4 and 7 weeks.
Frontline monthly spray will kill fleas on kittens of 8 weeks and older.
The Flea Comb
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If your kitten is too young or too small for flea medication, a flea comb will remove most of her fleas. Buy one at your pet store. It will trap fleas along with kitty's loose hair.
Before combing, partially fill a jar or bowl with warm water into which you'll submerge the comb after each swipe. Comb your entire kitten until no more fleas wash off the comb. Flush the dirty water and prepare for your kitten's shampoo.
Shampooing Your Kitten
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Any cat, no matter how small, may resent a bath. Use a mild "no-tears" cat shampoo.
Have everything ready before you begin. Use a small sink, placing a rubber mat in it so your kitten doesn't slide around. Fill it just enough to wet your kitten's belly. Have your flea comb handy along with two towels ready to wrap and dry kitty when the bath is over.
Use water that feels slightly warm. Kitty's temperature is 101.4, about 3 degrees warmer than yours. Wet her very slowly, and apply a dime sized drop of shampoo to your palm, lathering her neck. This will discourage fleas from flocking to her head and ears.
As the fleas head for her neck comb them into the water where they'll drown. Lather her gently until she's completely covered. Avoid getting soap in her mouth and eyes. Then rinse her with warm water until there's no more lather, and repeat the rinse to get any stragglers.
Wrap her in a towel, and gently dry. Repeat with the second towel. If she has long hair, finish drying her with your hair dryer on its low setting, combing her to prevent tangles.
Flea Control
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Remove flea larvae from the places your kitten sleeps, says UC Davis, to reduce chances of reinfestation. Wash his bedding with soap and hot water weekly.
Vacuum the floors, drapes, upholstery, and cracks around your baseboards and cabinets at least every other day. Empty the vacuum's cup or seal its bag in a plastic trash bag and put it outside to to keep fleas from reinfesting your house.
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