getting new kitten?

Question

I am bringing home 2 new kittens. The owner of the mother has just told me that she has treated them for fleas because her one adult cat got out. She used a treatment that is placed on the back....forget what brand she mentioned (hertz maybe). My question is how effective are these treatments and how fast do they work? I do not want to bring fleas into my home. Will the kittens be flea free within a few days? And also, do you think I should treat them (again) and or bath them when we get home? They are 10 weeks old. Also, when is it ok to fix them (1 boy, 1 girl) and when do they start their shoots? Thank you

Answer 1

Congratulations on your new kittens! We just brought a new kitten home yesterday.

Kittens can be very sensitive to flea treatments. I wouldn't use any chemical treatments on them until they are a bit older. Use a flea comb instead. Have a container of soapy water handy, and drop in any fleas you find.

They should get started on their shots now, and be tested for Feline Leukemia. They can be neutered/spayed at 3-4 months.

Answer 2

Hi...

Whatever you do, do NOT use Hartz brand flea treatment again... this product has been known to make kittens and cats very ill (my mother works for a vet, and they have had sick animals as the result of the Hartz product).

I wouldnt' worry about fleas too much. Take the kittens to the vet as soon as you can make an appointment. The vet will give you good advice about flea treatment and what is safe to use.

Many people at the larger pet stores are also very knowledgeable about what works the best. Some of these flea treatments are expensive, but worth it...

I''m sure everything will be fine! Your kittens need their shots now, and the vet will let you know when they need their second set.

If you are going to keep the cats inside all of the time, the first couple set of shots should do.

Otherwise they need a yearly vet visit.

take care.

Answer 3

I was in a similar postion to you. I bought 2 kittens and they brought flea's with them. The flea's were an absolute nightmare - they got everywhere (and I mean everywhere). The problem with the treatments is the flea's will jump off the cat and feed on you instead. Once they said multiplying they'll be everywhere. I got a flea exterminator around and he said the hear the vibrations when you come in and jump straight onto you. Flea powder and sprays were a complete waste of time. The exterminator soaked the bottom of the walls (where flea's reside) with a solution. Within 2 day all the flea's were gone but it was a very unpleasent experience. When I get an itch on my leg now I'm convinced it's a flea.

The vet can prescribe tablets that do something to the cat's blood that the flea's do not like.

Answer 4

I am no an expert but i do know most flea medecine your only suppost to put on your pets 1 time a month and
read back of the box not all fleas die but if you really want them gone buy a brush that the pointy thng on a brush that brush the hair are all close together or buy a lice comb sold in most grocery stores and brush threw its hair a couple times a day and get all the fleas out. Also make sure it stays inside!!!! If you find one flea in its hair kill it because fleas lay thousands of eggs wich means lots of fleas. cats do have to be a certain age to use flea medicine i think and i would check with a vet when they can get there shots.

Answer 5

The flea treatment should start to work as soon as it is put on them, they should be free of fleas when you bring them home. There wont be any need to put more on so soon, it may be too much for them as it is quite a strong treatment, also please dont bath your kittens, they may not be able to cope with being cold and wet for long. you can get them neutered from about 6 months but check with your vet. I think 10 weeks is ok for them to start there shots but again ask your vet. One thing i would reccomend is make sure you have a scratching post or your furniture will be ripped to shreds, i made the mistake of not getting one straight away when i got my 2 kittens and they took it out on my leather sofa! Good luck and i hope you enjoy your new arrivals.

Answer 6

Flea treatments work within 24 hours.
Do not bathe cats and don't use a cheapy flea treatment like hertz. Use Frontline and use it once a month in the summer.
So, treat them again in one month.

You probably won't need to treat them in the winter if it gets cold where you live.

Fix them before they are 6 months old, but they should get used to you and their new home before you have them operated on. Too much stress too soon can make them sick.

Good luck.

Answer 7

1. They will be OK flea-wise. You have to repeat the treatment after a month. Don't bathe them! (It will only stop the action of their flea protection). Use Frontline spray or selamectin (I don't know the US brand name, but this is the substance) spot-on (but make sure you get teh quantity for their age).
2. You will fix them when they are at least 6 months old. Sometimes they are fixed earlier in shelters, to make sure they will be fixed when adopted, but when there is no such rush, 6 months is an optimum age.
3. They should get their first shot around now (or when they weigh at least 2 pounds), and then repeat in a month. Also, don't forget de-worming (your vet will give you instructions).

Answer 8

Take them to the Vet as soon as possible, for a checkup, he/she will advise on flea treatment. The treatment your kittens have had are normally repeated after 30 days, and they are usually flea free after a couple days.

Answer 9

Congratulations!

"Advantage" or "Frontline" work the best for me when it comes to flea provention. You squirt a dropper on the nape of their neck every 3 months. When your kittens are 12 weeks you may have them spayed and neutered. A free clinic is fine but be sure to have them checked for worms as well.

Enjoy!

Mother of 3 Vet Techs:)

Answer 10

be careful with those type of flea killers, you need to wait at least 3 months before you reapply and don't use the same type too many times or the fleas adjust to it. Dawn dish-washing liquid can be used every couple of weeks safely on healthy cats and dogs to kill fleas. if you aren't sure about your kittens health , please consult your local vet so you don't accidentally poison you kitties. Congrats on saving two cats!!!!!!