Fleas might be tiny, but they are a very big deal, especially on kittens under four weeks old. Not only do they cause itching and skin irritation, but they can also spread viruses and bacteria and lead to tapeworms. Fleas can even cause anemia and death in young kittens.
Since small kittens do not have that much blood, they are virtually defenseless against fleas. Tiny kittens also do not groom themselves yet, so they are not scratching the fleas away, inadvertently allowing them to feed on their blood.
You should be concerned about anemia if a kitten has a severe flea infestation and also has signs of lethargy, low appetite, breathing difficulty, or pale gums. You can help some kittens survive flea anemia simply by removing the fleas and providing supportive care, but tiny kittens with severe blood loss may not survive.
If a kitten is under two months old, the safest way to treat fleas is by giving the kitten a flea bath.
Only bathe a kitten if it is absolutely necessary. Getting a bath can be a terrifying or traumatic
experience for kittens so proceed with caution and care. In many cases, baby wipes are enough to clean up a small mess on a kitten. However, kittens should receive a bath if they have fleas, or if they are extremely dirty from bodily excretions or any other filth.
Steps for Bathing a Kitten
1. Set up a heating pad or Snuggle Safe and a blanket where the kitten can warm up after their bath. You will need two towels, blue Dawn dish soap, a big bowl, a hair dryer, and a flea comb.
2. Run the faucet until the water is comfortably warm. If it feels too hot or cold, it is not the right temperature for the kitten. Kittens under 4 weeks old cannot control their body temperature so it is very important to keep the kitten warm throughout the bathing process.
3. Place the bowl in the sink and fill it with warm water.
4. Place the kitten in the bowl. Hold the kitten in your non-dominant hand.
5. Avoid getting the kitten’s head wet. Only bathe the kitten from neck to tail. Since kittens cannot regulate their body temperature, getting their heads wet and cold is dangerous.
6. If the kitten has fleas, create a ring of soap around the neck before bathing the kitten. This will prevent fleas from crawling up onto the kitten’s head, where they can avoid being killed.
7. Use the Dawn liquid soap and warm water to quickly bathe the kitten. While you want to be thorough, you also want to be fast. Try to keep the entire process under two minutes.
8. Rinse the kitten thoroughly to remove all of the soap. It is normal for the water that comes off a flea-ridden kitten to be red from their blood. Do not be alarmed if the water in the bowl turns red. Wash the kitten until the water that drips off them runs clear.
9. Immediately towel dry the kitten to get them warm.
10. Use the flea comb to comb through the kitten’s fur. Fleas particularly love kittens’ heads and the areas near their tails, armpits, and genitals. Fleas should be disposed of in a cup of warm soapy water. The soap will kill the fleas.
11. If necessary, spot-clean the kitten's head with a warm, wet washcloth. Rather than rinsing the face, use the cloth to get rid of any excess soap or dirt. Avoid getting the kitten’s nose and mouth wet.
12. Use a hair dryer to dry the kitten. Keep the hair dryer a foot away from the kitten and on a low setting.
13. Once the kitten is dry and flea-free, place them on the heating pad and wrap them in a blanket to get warm and cozy.
Flea baths are not needed for most kittens, but if you encounter a kitten who is riddled with fleas, a bath can be life-saving. It is important to know how to properly bathe a kitten and keep them warm and dry afterward.
P.S. It is very important to never use a topical flea treatment on a kitten under two months old. They are too small for topicals until they weigh at least two pounds. Additionally, do not use flea collars or sprays. These products aren't approved for kittens and can kill them. Flea collars release chemicals that can be toxic to both kittens and adult cats. Dawn dish soap can kill fleas without harming kittens.
Love, Nala
