My kitten was brought to me almost straight from a farm type atmosphere. He has fleas, I know this, but I don't want to sleep by him if the fleas can transfer onto me. The little guy was going to be killed if I didn't take him :(. He is a beautiful kitten!
2006-07-30 15:31:51 · 25 answers · asked by athanasia042505 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
First, yes the fleas can transfer to you, your bed, floors, furniture....
Second, schedule an appointment with a vet. You need to have the little feller checked out and shots started.
Third, you will need to have your house cleared of the fleas or they will infest the kitten again and you will have mess on your hands. Easiest way is to have an exterminator come to your home. If this is not a option, you can try talking to your vet about low cost solutions that aren't harmful to you and your pet.
Fourth, it imperative that you place the kitten on a flea treatment. Fleas is the cause for heartworms in animals which can kill a pet.
Fifth, try and reduce your cats time outdoors.
Sixth, if you have a yard that is fenced in have the yard treated for fleas
Good luck with your new cutie putie!
Meow Meow Reow =^..^=
2006-07-30 15:51:22 · answer #1 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT PUT A FLEA COLLAR ON OR DIP THE KITTEN! Depending on his age, either of these treatments could seriously harm or possibly kill him.
If you can't get him to a veterinarian (which is the best thing, since he needs to get vaccinations anyway):
get a flea comb (it is a special small comb with a single row of tines very close together) a bowl with hot water and with dish detergent mixed in it, and a flea powder made for carpets and furniture. (Petsmart and Petco both carry flea combs and carpet powder in-store and on-line.)
Put the bowl of hot water and soap next to the sink, and gently comb through kitten's fur, paying special attention around ears and tummy. As you bring the comb out of his fur, dip it into the water. The detergent and water will kill the fleas, and when you're done, empty the bowl in the toilet.
Follow the directions on the carpet powder, since each manufacturer has different methods. You can't leave the kitten in the house while you treat the carpets and any furniture or bedding the kitten's been on, so that would be a good time to leave him at the vet.
If you simply clean the kitten of fleas but don't treat your environment, you'll have flea egg hatchings and a continual problem.
And thank you for caring enough to save that kitten!!
2006-07-30 15:57:45 · answer #2 · answered by gsdmommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 7 years veterinary experience. Fleas will jump on humans, but do not stay on us. They normally jump off, there are time were they may bite us but we normally don't get anything execpt a mid irritation. I highly recommend starting a flea treatment like Advantage or Frontline Plus. Do not use the over the counter stuff at most grocery or pet stores some can actually be toxic to your pet. And make sure to to use the product that is for cats, to make sure you are getting the correct dosage. Frontline and Frontline Plus are for any cat or kitten over 8 weeks of age and any weight. Advantage is good for cats and kittens over 8 weeks of age as well, you have Advantage orange for 0-9lbs and Advantage purple for over 9lbs. There is no product except Capstar (a daily pill that kills fleas within 30 minutes and lasts for 24 hours) that can be given safely to kittens under 8 weeks of age with veterinarian supervision. Program is another good product but works best with Frontline and Advantage. Program and Capstar are safe to use in conjunction with either Advantage or Frontline. Also Frontline and Advantage (both are topicals) and Program (is an oral treatment) these are all monthly treatments. Capstar is a daily type of treatment (used mostly for immediate treatment so the others get settled in). The topicals (Frontline and Advantage) are absorbed into the sebaceous glands and is recycled through the hair folicles. If your cat has fleas it more and likely has tapeworms which is common when a cat grooms itself and ingests a flea. Best treatment is you can either go to you vet for a dewormer or go to the pet store and look for something called Tapeworm Tabs with the ingredient called Praziquantal. That is the best tapeworm treatment you can get.
2006-07-30 17:08:41 · answer #3 · answered by sully_josie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cat needs vet asap fleas cause kittens or adult cats to get worms, that w/ make him sick, vet w/do fecal exam for parasites, and put a topical flea treatment. You should do this once a month goes on neck area vet w/show you. And your home can be a breeding place for fleas, you may have to use a powder where the kitten has been, or if its been awhile a flea treatment, by a pest control company. As for you ,are you itching yet! they bite, and live also in carpet so after treatment vac and get rid of vac bag asap, all should be ok Ive been there, good luck and good health and long life to your new baby!
2006-07-30 15:47:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fleas will transfer EVERYWHERE! Fleas always seemed to prefer me to the cats!
Call your vet tomorrow. Depending on her age she may be able to be treated with Advantage. A few months of that if she is indoors should be the end of your flea problems. If she is too young for that you will have a lot of work combing, combing, combing till she's old enough for the treatment. Do not delay!
Flea collars don't work. Over the counter flea treatments can kill your kitten.
The kitten needs shots now and you should be making an appointment for her future spaying. Make that first contact with your vet and keep the kitty in top-notch health.
Fleas reproduce exponentially!
2006-07-30 15:42:14 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He sure can. fleas are pests, not a disease, so they can (litterally) jump the species barrier. Flea dip your kitten (ask for your vets help as to the best product to use), and deep clean your house. At this point in time, your vaccume will e your best friend. I even think there is a carpet powder you can lay down then vaccume up that can kill the little boogers. It is very improtant to get rid of the fleas as soon as possible. Not only are they gross and a nusince, but they can hurt your little kitty. FLeas eat blood, and baby critters only have so much. Fleas and ticks (which are worse) can easily suck your little one to death. Seriously. But don't worry, like i said, ask your vet what is the best product (many vets also do free wellness checks to make sure your critter is healthy) for a little kitty, don't over medicate (a product that is for an older cat or even a dog can poison you critter), and vaccume, vaccume, VACCUME!
2006-07-30 15:42:04 · answer #6 · answered by marquise_hari 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Feline fleas, unlike canine ones, can transfer to humans. In addition, if the primary host (your cat) is absent then they will attack you more aggressively.
You should take your kitten to the vet (a check-up is always advisable when you bring a new pet into the house) and they can give it an injection that will kill the fleas. You will also have to spray your house to stop the kitten from contracting the fleas again.
By the way...fleas cause tape worm (cat ingests them and they carry tape worm eggs) but NOT heart worm (heart worm is caused by mosquitos - and, yes, indoor cats can get heart worm).
Good luck.
2006-07-30 15:39:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Fleas can transfer to you and the house. It's not fun. Get your kitty a flea bath ASAP (from a groomer or visit your local pet store and buy a flea dip). Also, get a flea bomb for your house (available almost anywhere)... then you are good to go and enjoy your new friend!
2006-07-30 16:12:51 · answer #8 · answered by eeeeeeeeclipse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fleas can bite you and be a little irritating, but no worse than regular bug bites. They can't live off of you and they prefer to stay on the kitten rather you, but if they end up on you they will bite, it's only a little irritating and over time most owners don't notice they're there, kind of like being immune to them, but not really....you're gonna have to take care of the problem though, fleas are part of the life cycle for tapeworms, and you don't want your kitten getting them!
2006-07-30 15:40:47 · answer #9 · answered by logical 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You betcha! You'll get fleas from your kitty in no time at all. Treat the little fellow with a flea bath right away and keep him outdoors until you are sure all the fleas are dead. Flea bites are terrible, nasty things and you both will be very uncomfortable for a long time.
2006-07-30 15:46:25 · answer #10 · answered by Miss Annie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋