Can Newborn Kittens Get Fleas
May 9 2020 references as soon as your kitten is born it is possible for it to get fleas.
Can newborn kittens get fleas. Apply a new layer with a towel every couple of days. As soon as you notice there are fleas either in the house or on a pet take action. Do not use flea medications including topical spot on products flea collars dips or shampoos on young kittens unless you have been told to do so by your veterinarian. Then rub the towel over the baby kitten being sure not to get it in its eyes ears or mouth.
There are numerous otc and prescription options available for flea treatment that are safe and effective for kittens. One old myth says that kittens can be born with fleas but this is not true. The mother may have fleas the kitten may have picked them up outside or sand tracked indoors can even contain fleas. The only way you re going to do this without harming them is to flea treat the mom cat with something that is safe to use on nursing cats get advantage from your vet.
Ignoring the fleas is not an option as they can grow in number and cause serious health issues for your kitten. Fleas will literally suck the life out of kittens so it s very important that you get rid of the fleas. Most over the counter flea products will kill the kittens even if you put them on mom advantage is safe. Again newborn kittens need manual flea removal.
Keep a very close eye for fleas on kittens as a heavy infestation can kill. Also clean the bedding daily change it and wash it in the hottest water you have which will kill the flea eggs. Other flea medications safe for kittens list 8 weeks of age as a minimum. In consultation with your vet kittens over 4 weeks old may be treated with capstar there is a minimum weight requirement.
Blood sucking parasites can be fatal to kittens as they can cause anemia or a low red blood cell count or carry lyme disease. I ve gone as far as putting a seresto collar in the bed with the baby. The worst thing you can do is nothing. However if the queen has fleas or if there are fleas on other pets or soft furnishings in the home kittens can catch fleas pretty much immediately after they are born.
Once kittens are 8 10 weeks and over 1 5 2 pounds they can safely receive appropriate topical flea treatments. Newborn kittens with fleas or ticks should be treated immediately. Most flea control products are not safe to use on kittens under 6 8 weeks old. Placing the seresto collar in the confined space will apply what is needed as.
These products not only kill fleas on your kitten but can prevent new fleas from hitching a ride on your pet. Normally kittens under 8 weeks are tiny and need to be kept warm and in a confined space. Take a dry hand towel and spray the ovitrol or other flea tick spray and cover the towel. Unfortunately in very young kittens regular flea medications are too strong to use and will cause harm to your kitten.