Treating Kittens and Puppies for Fleas

Follow These Few Simple Steps to Safely Control Fleas

One of the most common questions we receive is whether or not it’s safe to use typical flea treatments on kittens and puppies. Generally, most topical flea medications (Frontline, K9 Advantix) are not recommended for use on animals under six weeks of age. However, many people are understandably reluctant to use these treatments on kittens and puppies, even if they are over six weeks.

One of the easiest ways to kill fleas on your kitten or puppy is with a simple bath, followed by combing with a flea comb. Use a small tub filled with warm water, and gently immerse your pet up to his neck. While this may be difficult with a kitten who hates water, it should be doable if the animal feels safe.

Help ensure this by holding him securely, keeping his head above water, speaking to him and petting him gently. It will also help if your pet’s feet can touch bottom, so only fill the tub with enough water to ensure this is the case.

Once your pet is thoroughly wet, lift them out and wrap them in a towel. A gentle detergent, such as Dawn soap, can be applied and worked gently into a lather. Dawn is quite effective at killing fleas, and the existing fleas on your pet will probably head for his head. At this point you may be able to pick many fleas off his head by hand.

When your kitten is completely lathered with dawn soap, place him back in the water and rinse him well, being careful not to get any soap or soapy water in his eyes. Then, lift him out and wrap him again in another dry towel, different than the first one you used.

Once your pet is dry and warm, comb him carefully with a flea comb. A flea comb has very small teeth that will capture remaining fleas. It’s sometimes helpful to place a small amount of vaseline on the comb’s teeth to help retain fleas. Starting at the animal’s head, carefully comb his entire body, pausing regularly to remove fleas from the comb and place them in a cup of hot water.

That’s the best and safest method to kill fleas on kittens and puppies. If you know of other good methods, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to comment below.

And, check out this video by a licensed veterinarian about killing fleas on your kitten.

One Response to “Treating Kittens and Puppies for Fleas”

1. Autumn says:

   September 28, 2011 at 2:55 am

   Capstar or its generic is very effective on kittens 6 weeks or older, After bringing in and fostering two abandoned kittens our other cats and dog got a HORRID case of fleas, capstar was a great step in the right direction to ridding our flea issue, it kills all adult fleas on your pets for 24 hours, much less stressful then bathing very unhappy kitties

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