Okay, recently, we discovered a stray kitten, pretty young, most likely at least 10-12 weeks since he's obviously weaned and on his own without a problem. My family is taking him in, and so far we've fed him and kept him outside until we could buy him a bed, a toy or two, and some flea products. I want him to be an indoor cat, not outside, to lessen the threat of fleas.
I was disappointed to find that my mother had shopped without me, so she had purchased a Hartz flea collar and Sergeants flea spray. After looking around and researching, it seems that not only are flea collars not good and worthless, but Hartz is a horrible product. I don't want to lose my first kitten, but neither do I want fleas. He can't come in until he's flea free, and I was wondering about anyone's advice concerning de-fleaing a new kitty.
I have bought a flea comb, a grooming brush, (I only want to use the flea spray now, not the collar) cat wipes to bathe him, etc. Is this enough to rid him of fleas? Help!
2007-08-04 20:41:08 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Oh yeah, I'm very sure that he has fleas, he's been scratching, been outside since we discovered him, and recently he's been rolling around and biting his fur like crazy at times. My poor kitty...
2007-08-04 21:17:08 · update #1
Get Advantage for kittens and cats under 9 lbs. You can get it much cheaper through http://www.800petmeds.com. You're absolutely right about the flea collars and Hartz products - avoid altogether.
When we had a recent flea infestation here I treated all the pets and the house. I also gave everyone baths before putting the flea killer on. It'll kill any on the cat so they get that immediate relief. Plus I hate thinking that critters are on them - ewwww
Raves to you for wanting to make this kitty an indoor cat - I'd hug you if I could! The outdoors is far too dangerous for them!
2007-08-04 21:45:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER use flea colars on kittens! Because there so small, most of the time it makes them severly sick! Also flea shampoos and sprays, must be for kitten. Your best bet, is revolution for kittens up to 5 lbs. I had the same problem, and this is the only product i know ok for kittens. It always prevents again heart worms, ticks, fleas and there eggs. You apply it behind their neck once a month. It can be very pricey at a vet. So try www.petshed.com, they have the best prices!
Wipes, and brushing helps, but will not get rid of the fleas. Make sure you vaccum daily until you get the product, or try some in home flea carpet treatment. Fleas will infest your home in a few days! You can get that at walmart and stores like that, its made by hartz i believe.
Claws are the kittens only defensive besides their teeth, so they would have to be an indoors cat for that. My vet said its not a good choice. Keep there nails sort and filed down, and all your funiture should be fine!
Bless you and your little kitten and i hope this info helps!
2007-08-05 06:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by nightskystar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're research is correct - flea collars are completely pointless, and Hartz is indeed a horrible product. Not only does it not work well but it has caused many bad reactions in cats - just one of the many flea products that really shouldn't be on the market.
You need to get a proper flea treatment from your vet. Have you heard of Frontline, Advantage or Revolution? These are the Big 3 flea products - they all actually work! I'm afraid you can't rely on any product from a shop to work, believe it or not. Shops aren't licensed to sell the appropriate drugs, so they just have general insecticides in their products, most of which are very inappropriate.
Tell your mum these things so she goes to a vets for some proper treatment. The spot-on treatments I've described above can be used on animals from 8 weeks of age. You will also need to purchase a house spray - very important to treat the environment as well, as when an animal has fleas, the eggs are dropping off and hatching in your house.
Flea combs are only to discover the presence of fleas and to remove dead fleas. The wipes are not really useful, and should not be used two days before or after applying Frontline as they may wipe off the skin's natural oils necessary for the Frontline to work.
Chalice
2007-08-05 05:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, i foster cats so fleas are a big concern!! flea collars shouldn't be used on cats under 6 months anyway n are only good short term, i recommend using a flea bomb in your house first although you may not have fleas in your house it will keep working for about 8 months and kill any fleas before they become a problem for the kitten a product like advantaged or frontline put on the back of the cats neck works quickly and isn't harmful available from the vet without an appointment, hope that helps.
2007-08-05 04:21:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a kitten too but i got him when he was six weeks old and ur kitty is a lil too young to have flea medication but if he must you should check your local petsmart to fins a flea medicine for cats of a certain weight or ask a vet for the best one and r u sure the kitty has fleas? It might cost a lil money to get the vet to check but where i live they give vaccinations at petsmart on tuesday's and thursday between 2 and 4 and u don't have to pay the costly office visit
2007-08-05 03:53:30 · answer #5 · answered by Mickey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋