I rescued a stray kitten (about three months old) from my shared backyard (I live in a muti-unit dwelling) and she has an abundance of fleas. All the cat grooming products caution that a cat this young could be harmed by the chemicals contained in the shampoos, powders, etc., that you would use on an older cat, and even though I have bathed her regularly with some of these products, she still has fleas. She seems to suffer so much (she scratches and cries) and I have tried everything I can think of (brushing, baths) it does not seem to be getting better. Is there something I can use that won't hurt her? I can't bear to see her suffer any more.
2007-10-26 04:37:23 · 12 answers · asked by Mrs. E 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hey you need to be really careful with fleas and small animals such as kittens. They can get flea anemia and other diseases. I rescued a kitten that had a bad flea problem and my vet recommended bathing the kitten with a mild dish detergent and warm water. Be sure to rid the house of any fleas otherwise you will be fighting a battle you will be unable to win. Here are some helpful links.
2007-10-26 05:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by brittanylee6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flea baths and powders shouldn't even be used on adult animals, never mind young ones. They don't work, and many are harmful.
Stay away from pet store products from now on, you are not going to find ANY that are helpful. Pet stores aren't licensed to sell the proper chemicals for flea treatment - anything you find in store is just going to be a basic pesticide that you can't expect to work.
Pop in to a vets for some proper treatment, like Frontline. If ever you have a problem with an animal in future, please pick up the phone to a vet. You're not expected to understand what's going on with your pets all the time; that's why vets are there to help.
Chalice
2007-10-26 17:51:23 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the vet and get your kitty a check up. They are the ones who specialize in it. You also need to get some Flea Control for the House. Here are some suggestions:
*You can try foggers, but you will probably need one for each room.
*They are flammable, so turn off all pilot lights.
*Remove birds and fish.
*It's toxic, so don't breathe the fumes.
*Protect surfaces by placing the fogger on a newspaper.
*Leave the house undisturbed a minimum of two hours or as directed.
*Thoroughly air out before introducing small children or vulnerable animals to the environment.
A safer and more environmentally friendly product, which I have personally found to be highly effective, is called Fleabusters. The product is a powder.
*Remove all bedding - wash or dry clean.
*Thoroughly vacuum all carpeting and rugs.
*Sprinkle powder inside sofa cushions, along the perimeter of all the walls and cover your floor area with it.
*Scratch or brush into the carpet.
*Vacuum excess and at least two to three times a week.
*Discard vacuum cleaner bags.
2007-10-26 12:05:59 · answer #3 · answered by Matt's Angel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frontline works well although you need to get it from a vet. She may also be too young for it (I believe they need to be 12 weeks old) but your vet will be able to advise you. I assume you have had her vaccinated? If not then you need to go the vet and get that done before she goes back outside. They will be able to advise you about flea treatment at the same time.
Good on you for rescuing a stray, they make the nicest cats 8)
2007-10-26 11:41:56 · answer #4 · answered by inkedgrrrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My theory with flea control and kitty litter is that you get what you pay for. Honestly, the stuff from the store is pretty useless. It will reduce the number of fleas but not break the life cycle. I suggest a trip to the vet. They can give you better stuff that will completely kill the fleas. If her ears itch she probably has ear mites too.
2007-10-26 12:05:08 · answer #5 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take her to a vet and see what they suggest. She probably needs a check-up anyway since she is a stray. She may need shots and probably needs to be spayed as well. There has to be something out there that will get rid of the fleas. Good luck and bless you for rescuing a kitty.
2007-10-26 11:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by *Cara* 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor baby!
I had to deal with this, when my kittens were of a similar age.
What my husband and I ended up doing was having them dipped at the vet's. Then I washed everything that was washable and made liberal use of Borax to get rid of the flea infestation in the house. After that, we treated them with Revolution.
2007-10-26 12:06:21 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your kitty to the vet - frontline is great for fleas, but you should check with vet first cause if she has a skin irritation it will not help her only make her scratch more.
2007-10-26 11:50:56 · answer #8 · answered by kitten 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to a vet. If she has fleas she will also have ear mites.Also the vet will give a de-worm medicine.Standard thing for kittens to have. Good for you.
2007-10-26 11:49:16 · answer #9 · answered by jet5249 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to treat the whole house! They are getting off her and then back on! Put a moth ball on the floor then vacuum, that will kill the eggs and fleas you vacuum. Spray the areas she plays and sleeps on, repeat in 14 days, the little buggers are hard to get rid of.....good luck.
2007-10-26 11:45:14 · answer #10 · answered by bubu 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋