How to Treat New Born Kittens With Fleas

Fleas can be a nuisance to a kitten and its owner. It's best to get rid of fleas as soon as possible so they don't cause a health problem for a newborn kitten. Since fleas multiply quickly, you must treat your home for fleas too so that they don't infest your kitten again. Often, fleas infest animals that are sick, because those animals have a higher body temperature. Read on to learn to treat newborn kittens with fleas.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Flea comb
• Dish soap or kitten shampoo
• Tea tree oil
• White sheets
• White towels
• Spray bottle
• Plastic gloves

1. Purchase a flea comb, dish soap or a kitten shampoo, and tea tree essential oil. Make sure that the oil is 100 percent therapeutic grade.
2. Place a white towel or sheet on the floor and put your kitten on top of it. This white background will help you see the fleas better. Use the flea comb to brush through the kitten's hair. Examine the hair in sections. Start with the kitten's back and then move onto its legs, tail, belly and face. Comb against the grain of the hair and look for dirt, which is usually flea feces. If you see any fleas or flea feces, drop them into a bowl of soapy water.
3. Fill up a sink with lukewarm water and pour in a small amount of dish soap. If you use Dawn dish soap, you will not need a lot. After the water gets bubbly, deposit one to three drops of tea tree oil into the water. Mix the oil in the water with your hand. Gently place the kitten into the water. Try to remain calm and praise the kitten so it doesn't become afraid of baths. You can use gloves to protect yourself from the kitten's claws.
4. Make a cup with your hand and pour water onto the kitten's back. Wet all of the kitten's hair, except for the hair on its face. Avoid getting soap, water and the oil into the kitten's eyes. If the kitten isn't cooperative, don't use the essential oil in the water. After the kitten is thoroughly wet, make circular motions in its hair with the tips of your fingers. Try to get the soapy water down to the roots of the kitten's hair.
5. Let the dirty water drain from the sink while you rinse off the kitten with fresh, lukewarm water. Rinse many times, until you no longer see soap bubbles. It's important to make sure the soap and oil are off the kitten so it doesn't lick them later when it cleans itself.
6. Place your kitten on a clean, white towel and comb through its hair again. Use a different clean towel to dry the kitten's hair. After the kitten is dry, immediately place all dirty linen into the washing machine.
7. Fill a spray bottle with water and add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil. You can also use citronella, wintergreen or eucalyptus. Spray your carpets with this solution; when it dries, vacuum. Do this a couple of times a day until the fleas are gone. Keep the kitten in a crate so that it's off the carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• Bathe your kitten at least once a week and check its hair for flea feces.
• Wash all bedding, drapes, blankets, etc. so the fleas don't return.
• Keep your kitten healthy by providing it with clean water and nutritious food.
• Only use flea medication if your veterinarian has recommended it for your kitten. Most flea medications cannot be used on kittens until they are 12 weeks old.
• Essential oils are strong, so you don't need to use a lot of them. Don't get the oils in your kitten's eyes. If your kitten is not cooperative, don't use them.