Fleas on very young kittens can be fatal as they can cause anemia. Most flea products cannot be used on young kittens under 6 weeks of age.

The first line of defence is to speak to your veterinarian.

How do you know if your pet has fleas?

Scratching & biting at the fur is a good indicator your cat has fleas, although cats scratch & bite for reasons other than fleas. Upon close inspection of the fur & skin, you can usually see fleas on your cat, they are small dark brown insects. It is easier to see fleas if you have a light coloured cat. You may also notice flea droppings on your cat's bedding. If you are unsure, stand your cat on a white piece of paper, rough up it's fur a little & then lightly spray the paper with a demister. If you have very small brown specks which leave red stains on the paper then that is a sure sign your cat has fleas.

Tackling a Flea Outbreak

Below is a percentage of the flea population in the environment:

Killing fleas on your cat is will not solve the problem as most of the flea life cycle is spent off the animal. You need to focus your attention in three areas:

If you live in a multi-cat household or have dogs, it is important to treat all animals simultaneously.

Treat the kitten:

Do not use flea medications (including topical/spot on products, flea collars, dips or shampoos) on young kittens unless you have been told to do so from your veterinarian.

Keep a very close eye for fleas on kittens, as a heavy infestation can kill. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Fleas can also transmit tapeworm, so once the kitten is an appropriate age, he will need to be wormed. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you which is the best product to use.

Treat the mother:

If you treat the kitten but not the mother then the kitten will quickly become infected again. Check with your veterinarian for products which are safe to use on nursing queens.

Treat the environment:

No flea treatment is complete until you have treated the environment.

To treat the house & environment you can either hire the services of a professional pest controller or buy a product from your local supermarket. Most DIY products come in the form of an aerosol "bomb". Prior to letting the bomb off you & your pets should temporarily vacate the premises. Be aware that flea bombs are toxic to other animals, so all pets (including fish) need to be removed prior to bombing.

IGR's: (insect growth regulators) disrupt the cycle of the flea. They prevent eggs from hatching, kill larvae & prevent adult fleas from reproducing. These most often come in as a  bomb/spray.

A pest controller should be able to spray your house & garden for fleas. It is important to specify that you have cat(s) living in the house, so they can use a suitable spray which is safe for pets.

Wash rugs, cat bedding etc., in the hottest possible cycle.

Frequent vaccuming will also remove fleas & their eggs. One useful tip is to put a flea collar in your vacuum cleaner bag. When vacuuming, pay extra attention to corners, skirting boards, under furniture & any other nooks & crannies. Also vacuum furniture, curtains etc. This is where the larvae love to hang out, eating dust & debris, so it is vital that you thoroughly vacuum. Once you have vacuumed, clean out the bag & dispose of carefully. Ensure that every time you vacuum, you empty it out to prevent any fleas escaping.

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