How to Bathe Your Kitten To Remove Fleas

How to safely bathe a cat or kitten to remove fleas

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• bath tub or large container with warm water
• Blue (original) Dawn dish detergent
• Flea Comb
• Towels
• Blow dryer (optional)
• Assistant (optional)

1. Confirm that the cat or kitten has fleas and is in need for a bath. To do so, comb the hair along the back of the cat near the tail with the flea comb. You should see live fleas and/or flea dirt to confirm the presence of fleas. To verify that you are seeing flea dirt and not dander or normal dirt, place on a square of white paper towel and moisten with a few drops of water. Flea dirt will leave a reddish-brown stain. If you do not see fleas or flea dirt, your cat may not have fleas. Take him or her to the vet to diagnose other reasons for scratching. If you see flea dirt, move on to Step 2.

2. Assemble all the tools you will need to bathe the cat/kitten. It is preferable to do this in a small bathroom so that you can close the door to prevent an escape. Make sure that the water is warm enough to be comfortable, but not so hot that you might scald your pet.

3. Gently pick the cat or kitten up by the scruff of the neck, supporting the hind quarters with your other hand. If you are trying to bathe a large or difficult to handle cat, you may need a second person to assist with holding the cat while you bathe.

4. Gently lower the cat into the warm water, pouring water over him until the fur is completely wet. Using a small amount of Dawn, gently work up a lather. Avoid using Dawn around the face and eyes. Rinse thoroughly.

5. Using the flea comb, comb away any dead fleas and remaining flea dirt.

6. Dry the cat thoroughly to prevent her from catching cold. If she'll tolerate it, you can use the blow dryer on a low setting.

7. Contact your veterinarian about a flea preventative that is recommended for your pet. Most flea preventatives can be applied 24 hours after a bath.

Tips & Warnings

• Always bathe cats and kittens in a warm area to prevent them from catching cold, and dry them as thoroughly as possible.
• Use a flea preventative to prevent re-infestation.
• If flea problem is severe, you may need to treat the home and/or other pets to completely solve the problem.
• If your cat will not tolerate bathing, talk to your vet about other ways to safely remove fleas.
• NEVER use flea products intended for dogs on your cat. They can be highly toxic and make your cat very sick.
• Do not overbathe your cat. Too much bathing can lead to skin irritation. Cats are naturally clean animals, and bathing should only be used when absolutely necessary.
• Cats can do significant damage with teeth and claws! Keep a secure hold on your cat throughout the entire bathing process, and enlist the help of an assistant for difficult animals.