Ten Ways To Eliminate Kitten Fleas
Getting rid of kitten fleas is no easy task. Feline fleas are often resistant to certain treatments. Fleas on kittens not only cause itching and skin irritation, but can carry diseases. Bortadella, rickettsia, bubonic plague, and tapeworms are all transmitted by fleas. In addition, fleas can bring about death or illness in kittens as they feed on blood and cause severe anemia. Yes, kittens with fleas can be truly problematic.
There are many thousands of types of fleas. The most common types that affect kittens are cat fleas (feline fleas) and dog fleas. There is little difference between the two types other than those that can be detected by a microscope. Cat fleas are most common in North America. Dog fleas are endemic to Europe.
However, both kinds of fleas on kittens can cause skin irritation and transmit disease. Eliminating fleas requires persistence and treatment of both your kitten and its environment. Fleas love to hide out in your kitten’s blankets or bedding. So, what are the best ways to get rid of the itchy pests?
Let’s look at the most effective ways to treat your kitten.
- Try Topicals
The newest and most effective treatments against kitten fleas are topical treatments. Advantage®, Revolution®, and Frontline® are all topical medications that can reduce the number of kitten fleas on your furry friend’s coat.
Advantage® kills fleas within hours of contact. It is applied at the base of your kitten’s neck and is rubbed into the skin. Advantage® can be used with kitten 8 weeks and older.
Revolution® is used kill many types of kitten parasites including worms. Revolution® can also be used to kill fleas and is applied in a similar fashion to Advantage®. The active ingredient selamectin is considered safe for kittens 8 weeks of age and older.
Frontline® can kill up to 100% of fleas in 18 hours on your kitten’s fur. It is safe for kittens 8 weeks of age and older.
- Possibly Pills
Capstar® and Program® are two oral forms of flea removal. Capstar® can be used on kittens four weeks or age and older. The pill works quickly within 30 minutes. However, the flea killing effects do not last more than 24 hours. Program® is taken monthly and stops flea eggs from hatching into adults. It takes up to 60 days for Program® to kill adult fleas due to the length of the fleas’ lifecyle.
- Baths, Shampoos, Flea Dips
Flea baths work by killing the fleas while on the skin and fur. They have no residual activity when not on the skin. Make sure to use a kitten-safe shampoo. Dog shampoos and even adult cat shampoos are not appropriate for kittens.
Flea dips are solutions applied to the kitten’s fur to eliminate fleas. The kitten is “dipping” in the solution and it is allowed to dry on the fur. Make sure that the dip contains pyrethrin or d-limonene as these are kitten-safe. It is best to use dips on kittens 12 weeks or older.
- Flea Combs
Flea combs are a great non-toxic way to mechanically removes fleas from your kitten’s fur. 
The best flea combs have extremely fine teeth to catch fleas during combing. Run the come through your kitten’s fur at least 4 times a week.
Be sure to disinfect the comb and kill the fleas after use by dipping the comb in a bleach/water solution or alcohol.
- Consider Collars
Flea collars can work. However, you must use them with other flea control products. Make sure the kitten collar that you buy is not too tight around your kitten’s neck. Also, watch for signs of skin irritation from the chemicals in the collar.
In order to eliminate fleas, your kitten’s environment must be treated as well. Without removing kitten fleas from the area, they will simply reoccur time and time again.
- Fix Floors
Cleaning floors can help eliminate fleas on kittens. Vacuming sucks up the fleas and eggs. Just be sure to remove and discard the bag after vacuuming. Before vacuuming, use a flea killing carpet foam to kill the fleas. Kitten safe insecticides are those that contain pyrethrin.
- Be Careful With Foggers
Foggers can be an effective way to eradicate fleas. Foggers get into the small areas and crevices where fleas can hide. However, if you have small children do use a fogger where they sleep or play.
You, your family, and your pets need to be out of your home for a few hours while the fogger takes effect. The chemicals contained in the fogger may remain linger in your home long after use.
One drawback to foggers is that they tend to not seep down into the carpet to reach where fleas and their eggs burrow.
- Clean Outside
Clean the areas outside your home where fleas inhabit. Remove mice-attracting decayed trash and debris. Spray around areas where your kitten likes to play or other fleas gathering points. Be sure to get a cat safe outdoor insecticide. And if possible get try to raise your kitten as an indoors cat. They will be less likely to come in contact with fleas.
- Say Good Riddance to Rodents
Mice and other rodents can be flea carriers. Set kitten-safe traps around areas where mice congregate. Close any openings that can allow rodents to enter into your home.
- Enlist the Help of the Pros
Sometimes, no matter what steps you take to eliminate fleas, they persist. That’s when you should call in professionals to get rid of the fleas. Professional pest removal services use strong chemicals to remove fleas from the home.
To get the best effectiveness from all flea remedies, use a combination of treatments. Different treatments kill fleas in different times in their lifecyle. Some treatments kill adult fleas. Others kill the eggs and larvae. It is also necessary to treat other pets in the home to fully eliminate fleas.
Remember…when treating kitten fleas, diligence pays off. You may need to treat and then retreat your kitten and your home to eradicate the fleas.
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