How Can I Get Rid of Fleas on My Kitten?

A female flea lays up to 50 eggs a day.

A female flea lays up to 50 eggs a day. Adult fleas live on pets, such as cats, feeding on blood and laying eggs in the fur. These eggs drop off in areas where the pet sits or sleeps and hatch into a larval stage. The larval stage then burrows down and encases itself in a cocoon to become the pupal stage, which can lie dormant for up to 6 months. Once stimulated by vibrations and movement nearby, the baby flea hatches from the cocoon and jumps onto a nearby pet, completing the whole cycle. Below are a few common ways to get rid of fleas on kitten:

• Fine-toothed lice comb is a safe, chemical-free way to clear up a mild flea infection in your kitten. You may want to place your kitten in a sink or bathtub or take them outside while using the lice comb. Wherever you choose to use the comb, do it away from other cats in the house. Don't worry about the flea jumping to you, as they are specific to cats only. Wash your cat with shampoo and dry him slightly, so their fur remains slightly damped. Place the comb at the kitten's head and brush down their back toward the tail. Clean the comb in between each stroke by rinsing it under running water. Brush the entire kitten's coat in sections with the comb until you can no longer see any fleas or eggs on the comb after brushing. Repeat this process two to three times a week for 4 weeks to ensure you remove all eggs and fleas from the kitten.
• Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils that may be used to help keep fleas away. Apart from using the lavender essential oil, there are several ways in which you can incorporate lavender into your home to get the scent around your cat. You could grow lavender in your garden to keep the fleas away. Additionally, if you want to apply it directly to your cat, you can make lavender into a spray to use as a natural flea repellent. Get some fresh lavender and soak in water overnight and then strain straight into a spray bottle. Spray this solution onto your cat to make them flea-resistant. You may also use a comb to dip into the lavender solution to brush through the cat’s fur.
• Use dish soap instead of shampoo for lather. The soap destroys the fleas’ exoskeletons (outer shell), drowning and killing them within minutes. It may take a lot of scrubbing to get them all, but a flea comb should help you find and dispose of any leftover bodies. Once you’re done, you can give your pet a proper bath with a cat shampoo to keep their skin from drying out.
• Lemons are one of the most effective and natural ways to kill fleas because of the high level of citric acid. Spraying or brushing lemon water onto your cat’s coat can help you get rid of the fleas. Slice a lemon and let it steep in boiling water. After the water cools down, strain it into a spray bottle. Spray gently onto your cat’s fur and brush in. Rub the lemon water into red and irritated areas of the body where the fleas have been and repeat as often as needed until the fleas have disappeared or dip a comb into the lemon water and gently brush them. This will help comb out any fleas too. If you think there are still some leftover fleas or flea eggs, most probably they are hiding in your cat’s bed. Wash your cat’s bedding with a cup of lemon juice to get rid of the fleas.

Being vigilant is one of the best ways to combat these pests. Once your cat is old enough, you may want to ask your veterinarian about flea prevention during the spring and autumn months. Staying flea-free is the best way to keep your kitten healthy and happy.