March 14, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Flea & Tick Preventatives, Pet Health, Pet Supplies

Fleas are nasty on any household pet, but when they attack your little fluffy kitten, you may feel especially motivated to fight back. You have good reason to combat these pesky insects. Blood-sucking fleas can take enough from a small feline to make it anemic, so it is important to tackle the issue right away.

While some flea and tick preventatives like Comfortis are recommended for puppies once they are 14 weeks old, others, like Frontline Plus, can be used on kittens as young as 8 weeks. There are other pet drugs like Capstar that can kill adult fleas on cats as young as 4 weeks old. These pet products are great because they work within hours to kill the adult fleas on your animal, then go on to kill the flea eggs and larvae to prevent future infestations. You might also find it helpful to invest in a Resco Pro-Series Flea Comb, which will help you remove the insects from your kitten's coat.

Once your cat has been treated with one of these preventatives, it is important to keep up with the treatments. Many are topical monthly treatments, and will also protect your cat from ticks and lice. This will then prevent the kitty from developing Lyme disease or allergic reactions your cat may have to the bugs.

Although pet shampoo like Be Flea Free Shampoo is not recommended for cats, you can certainly use it to bathe your dogs and make sure they don't pass the insects onto the kitten. If your cat has an allergic reaction to a flea bite, a bath with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Shampoo might be just what it needs to feel better.

After you have treated your kitten for fleas, check its gums to make sure the insects did not cause anemia. If the feline's gums are pink, it should be OK. You should also keep an eye on the kitten's stool for the next several weeks. Fleas can carry tapeworms, which will present themselves as rice-like segments at the cat's rectum or in its feces. If you are concerned about tapeworms, call the veterinarian to determine how to tackle the issue.

Throughout the flea removal process, make sure your kitten stays warm and cozy, especially if it is still very young. You should also wash all of its bedding and vacuum the surrounding area to ensure the bugs don't come back. 

Related posts:

1. Fleas: Not just an indoor problem
2. When your puppy gets fleas
3. Managing your dog’s reaction to fleas
4. First weeks of kitten nutrition
5. How worms can affect your pet