Fleas are the unwelcome critters that do more harm than just a bite. These tiny creatures depend exclusively on blood for survival and reproduction. Under favorable environmental conditions, they can infest every corner of your homestead in a split of a second.
Cat flea – scientifically known as Ctenocephalides felis – is a popular species of flea that affect cats, dogs and other domestic animals. The wingless creatures attach and draw blood from the bodies of their hosts, not sparing kittens and puppies.
However, unlike adult cats, kittens have a weak immune system. This makes them vulnerable to several diseases that cat flea transmits. Alongside depression and stress caused by itching and insensitivity, the small pets will easily succumb to disease infection.
If you really love your pet, then you must act smart and in time. However, the main question is; how? Don’t fret. This guide will take you through five easy ways on how to get rid of kitten fleas at home.
Materials Needed
- A drying towel
- Kitten mat
- Fine comb or brush
- Flea shampoo
- Warm water in a basin or sink
- Flea powder for a kitten
- A flea collar for a kitten
Process of Getting Rid of Fleas on a Kitten
Here is the simple 5-step process I use to get rid of fleas on my kitten:
1. Brush the Kitten’s Fur
As short as the fur may look, you direly need to brush them to remove knots that may clatter when you submerge the pet inside the water. Brushing also helps in removing flakes of dead skins on the pets coat, loose hair and even some fleas.
Sit your pet in a mat. Using a soft-silken brush, gently brush along the grains of its far. Then, reverse the method and brush against the grain. Make sure not to pull any hair. Pay close attention to the pest inside the coat to ascertain the intensity of infestation.
Once you are through, you can use a kitten massage mitt to remove any free hair before going to the next process.
2. Get Your Water Ready
Warm water will save you the hustle of engaging in a tug of war with the pesky pests. However, your water should not be too hot to scare or burn your pet.
Dip your finger inside and ascertain its temperature. The temperature should range between 96.8 and 98.6 Degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Submerge the Kitten in the Water
Once you have filled the basin or sink with hot water, gently immerse the kitten–butt first going upwards. Some pets get frightened during their first bathing. If at all the pet resists water, start with sprinkling some water over its body until it gets accustomed to the water.
Lather a flea shampoo over the pet starting from the neck to the nail. Make sure to lather every part including the ears, face and nose area, belly and feet. Take your time and remain highly cautious while doing this. Do not let the shampoo land on the pet’s eye. Also, do not suffocate your pet. let the head of the kitten stick out as you lather its body along.
Once you are through with lathering, partially immerse your kit while leaving only the head out. Rub its coat gently up and down; along and against its fur grains until the coat is free of all the shampoo.
As you clean the kitten, you will realize that the color of your water turns reddish. The cat is not bleeding. Rather, it sheds off flea droppings that stick in the body in the form of bloodstains. Secondly, fleas are full of blood. As you press along and against the grain, some of them burst to release blood.
Fleas will automatically suffocate underwater. You will notice some of them moving towards the uncovered part of the kitten. Strike the head of your kitten with a wet hand to release them back inside the water.
4. Dry Your Kitten
Wrap a dry towel over your kitten and use it to rub every single part of your kitten’s body. This also helps to kill some of the remaining fleas lurking inside the pet’s coat.
Go ahead and apply flea powder for kittens over the dry body.
5. Apply the Flea collar for a Kitten
Once your pet is fully dry and the powder has taken its effect, add a flea collar for kitten over his body. Make sure to use only the recommended collar for kittens below eight months. Also, make sure that you stay on point with the recommended procedure of applications as scribed over the collar’s container.
Up to here, you are through with your treatment. However, sustainability is your main goal. You will not wish to see the same pet suffer on the hands of these little bugs. Include the pet’s bedding and other accessories that he uses every day in this cleanliness.
Immerse the beddings inside warm water. Apply appropriate soap, rub and rinse with clean lukewarm water. Apply a flea powder and leave to dry.
The long-term solution should also encompass the immediate environment of your flea. For dire efficacy, it is advisable to clean all your rooms and apply appropriate flea medications. Through this, you will be able to prevent these tiny bugs from jumping into your pet’s room once the shampoo, powder and collar cease to function.
Why You Need to Get Rid of Kitten Fleas Fast?
Preventing fleas on your kitten is best, however if the prevention failed, you need to take action fast. Here are some of the reasons:
Skin related problems
Fleas cause itching that prompts kittens to scratch the affected part. Vigorous and consistent scratching normally leads to the creation of wounds that attract bacterial infections when not treated in time.
Tapeworms
Fleas carry tapeworms into their systems. Whenever your pet ingests a flea, the worms are transmitted into his system where they thrive. These worms cause itchy rear and weight loss.
Anaemia
Anaemia is common among kittens. It happens when the young ones are infested with numerous fleas. The fleas will end up drawing a lot of blood as compared to what the pet’s system generates.
Conclusion
Fleas are a real nuisance to kittens. They will depress and deprive your pet of blood and even cause death whenever you do not get rid of them in time. However, they do not die easily as many people would think.
Knowing about this process is just but the start. To get rid of all kitten fleas, you will need to check on your pet frequently and repeat the procedure every two weeks.