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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

New kitten had fleas

16 replies

zebrA03728 · 17/07/2021 14:25

Got a kitten three days ago, I just noticed soemthing crawling on his stomach area which looked like a flea! Shock I haven’t noticed him scratching much as he is still so new to our home.

How do I get rid of the fleas if he has them? I have purchased a flea treatment called Fiprotec, and ordered a household flea spray, once I have treated him I am planning to wash all soft furnishings at 60 degrees and Hoover / spray everywhere.

Quite gutted he has fleas, is there anything else I need to do?

Thank god we don’t have carpets at least!

OP posts:
Reallyreallyborednow · 17/07/2021 14:27

Vet. Good idea to get him registered and a general health check.

They will also have a good idea of local flea resistance and which product is currently most effective in your area.

TroysMammy · 17/07/2021 14:28

Get a flea comb if your kitten is young. Haribo had a few fleas and I used the comb. He's now 2 and he loves a comb and brush, no claws, hisses or bites.

Original poster
zebrA03728 · 17/07/2021 14:35

Thanks @Reallyreallyborednow I am going to bolk an appointment with our local vets, they do a package offer for kittens which includes a health check/vaccinations/microchip, I’ll mention I think I spotted a flea when I call up!

Thanks @TroysMammy I’ll order a flea comb too Smile

Does anyone know if fleas are hard to get rid of once they’re in your home? I’m trying not to panic Blush

OP posts:
BridgetInHerBravery · 17/07/2021 14:45

Don't use anything fipronil based as it is mostly useless. You need vet advice with flea treatment for kittens.

Indorex spray is excellent for the house

Original poster
zebrA03728 · 17/07/2021 14:59

I’ve just definitely seen another flea on him! Going to call vet now Sad

OP posts:
MidnightMeltdown · 18/07/2021 00:59

Get flea treatment from the vet. The ones bought elsewhere usually don't work/aren't strong enough because they aren't required to meet the same standards.

SqueakyPeaks · 18/07/2021 01:21

It's really normal for kittens to have worms and fleas. The vet will sort you out with treatments. My rescue cat was absolutely riddled, so I'd comb her with a bowl of water next to me and flick off the fleas into that!
Indorex and Hoover. You'll be fine.

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/07/2021 06:42

Indorex is very effective for the house, some pharmacies sell it.

You can bath her, the fleas will move to her head and and you can pick them off and squish them then.

Original poster
zebrA03728 · 18/07/2021 22:09

Thanks for the replies, I’ll get some indorex. Is it best to use it when I won’t be in for the day afterwards breathing it in?

I also used a flea treatment on the kitten yesterday, it was a tablet one, and found a dead flea on the floor today so I’m guessing it worked. I have flea combed him extensively and found nothing, I have also put the soft furnishings/blankets/sofa covers on a hot wash, and hoovered like mad! Really hoping that has done the trick, feel really paranoid.

I gave him a worming treatment too. Going to take him to the vets during the week for vaccinations/microchip and I’ll let them know I saw fleas, hoping they’ll advise it there is anything else I need to do. I’m scared to go in the living room at the moment, he was confined there anyway so at least the rest of the house should be relatively flea free Grin

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 18/07/2021 22:20

No you don’t gave to go out, be careful of the kitten breathing it in too ie don’t lock him in a room with it.

Cookerhood · 18/07/2021 22:24

When we got a kitten it had fleas. DD spent ages coming him & putting the fleas in a cup of water. The vet then smothered him in something and said we might see fleas on the end of his nose as they tended to go there as there was none of the flea treatment there! We didn't but that and the combing fixed him. He now has a flea vaccination every 6 months.

Wolfiefan · 18/07/2021 22:28

@zebrA03728 the kitten needs to see a vet. You’ll need to treat monthly for fleas. And most OTC stuff is dangerous or plain ineffective.
You can’t spray the whole house and go out but leave the kitten to breathe it in. Confused

SqueakyPeaks · 19/07/2021 01:58

Please get the proper worm and flea treatment from the vet. The stuff you can buy otc that's safe for kittens is usually pretty ineffective imho

supermodel · 19/07/2021 02:18

This happened to us, we got a kitten and found it had fleas, I took the kitten to the vets for flea treatment as I think when they are so young you need to be careful what treatment is used.

Original poster
zebrA03728 · 19/07/2021 19:16

We have vet appointment and they are aware of the issue, have used kitten safe treatments in the meantime.

@Wolfiefan obviously we would move the kitten from the sprayed room too, don’t worry! Smile

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/07/2021 19:28

Good luck at the vets. You’ve reminded me. Cats flea treatment due today!! Grin

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