How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Kitten

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By Casey White
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Photo by theashleynichole at Flickr.com

Getting rid of fleas on your grown cat and getting rid of fleas on a young kitten are two entirely different things. This article will only address getting rid of fleas on your kitten. Most powders and other chemicals are far too dangerous to use on a kitten, but fleas are also dangerous for a kitten, so how do handle flea control on a kitten?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Dawn dishwashing liquid
Petroleum jelly
Flea Comb
Towel

Step 1

Your kitten MUST be bathed, so after you decide where you are going to bathe it, fill up the receptacle with warm water. I have always bathed my kittens in a bathroom sink because it is small enough that the kitten doesn't get as scared as it would if you bathed it in a bathtub full of water. You will need to check the temperature of the water in the same way that you would if you were bathing a baby.
Step 2

Dip the kitten in the water up to its neck and make sure his hair is completely saturated with water. You will probably have to wet its face and ears with a washcloth or a gentle sprayer, but you DON'T want to submerge its head in water! If you do, your pet will be so afraid that it may never trust you again.
Step 3

Next, take your kitten out of the water and put it on a towel. Squeeze out some Dawn dishwashing liquid onto your hands and work it gently through your little kitten's hair, making sure to rub around the neck, ears and head, but DO NOT GET THE DAWN IN YOUR KITTEN'S EYES. Even pet professionals use Dawn to get rid of fleas because it works!
Step 4

Photo by Anna Lytical at Flickr.com

When you feel like you have massaged the Dawn thoroughly, put your kitten back into the water for a rinse. Assuming it is not trying to claw your eyes out, keep it submerged for a few minutes, then take it out and wrap with a warm towel. Don't let your kitten get cold!
Step 5

After all is said and done, your kitten will be a happy camper.

To make sure you have gotten rid of the fleas, use a flea comb while the kitten's hair is still damp to comb through your kitten's hair. This will make sure to clean off any dead fleas and show you any live fleas that managed to survive. If there are any live fleas remaining, grab them with your thumb and finger and stick them on a piece of packing tape. Some people suggest using water to put them in, but all too many times, I've seen the fleas just jump right out of the water and back onto the kitten. They WON'T jump off the packing tape!