[JoshuaZ]

I rescued 4 small kittens Friday night next to my apartment. They were very malnourished and one was very sick. That one died in the night, and I've been taking care of the rest. They're doing very well, and I've already found a home for one of them.

The problem is that they're around 4 or 5 weeks old, and they have fleas. I know because I picked off a whole lot this evening. See I went to the store and asked the lady to read the directions for me (as I can't read that much Japanese) and I know I told her 5 or 6 time I have very small kittens. Well after doing the treatment I was looking over the box and I saw something about 6 KG or higher. I asked a friend to translate, and its for cats 6 kg and up. Adults. I then washed the kittens off with soap as someone said lemony soap gets rid of fleas (and also to wash the flea treatment off, seeing I don't want to kill them). Well after removing a lot of fleas from 3 kittens I'm open to new ideas.

Cut to the chase: Does anyone know how to get rid of fleas on 4-5 week old kittens?

Also: The kids are in a box in my bedroom. What are the chances I now have fleas everywhere, and that they're in my hair. RIGHT NOW.

Thanks!

[Dakar²]

You're a good guy.

And yeah, fleas are very good at spreading.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ 

I rescued 4 small kittens Friday night next to my apartment.

Mucho props.

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ 

Cut to the chase: Does anyone know how to get rid of fleas on 4-5 week old kittens?

Nope, no idea. Just don't be doing the flea collar thing - they tend to remove the hair from the cat's neck (two of my cats still have bald necks after flea collar use 10-12 years ago).

If it were me, I'd leave the treatments off for a while and just do the washing/brushing them thing.

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ 

Also: The kids are in a box in my bedroom. What are the chances I now have fleas everywhere, and that they're in my hair. RIGHT NOW.

Not much. Cat fleas don't like humans and tend to stick to their feline hosts.

One of my cats has fleas right now. He sleeps with two others and they don't show the slightest sign of having fleas. Go figure - it's like the fleas won't even jump to another cat but like the one they're on.

[Cody Dawg]

If you were in the United States there is actually a product that vets can prescribe that is made from the same chemical as Advantage products - but weakened for kittens.

But to you for saving the Harajuku kittens.

[JoshuaZ]

Well, I made a pledge to myself to rescue kittens if I ever saw any. This is after I failed to do anything to a little guy I saw last fall. I didn't know what to do, and I felt bad for it. I reallllly like the little dudes, but have a tiny place and a big allergy problem. (The little girl is super cute.)

http://www.joshuazimmerman.com/blog/...gkittenbox.jpg

[vexborg]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ 

Well, I made a pledge to myself to rescue kittens if I ever saw any. This is after I failed to do anything to a little guy I saw last fall. I didn't know what to do, and I felt bad for it. I reallllly like the little dudes, but have a tiny place and a big allergy problem. (The little girl is super cute.)

http://www.joshuazimmerman.com/blog/...gkittenbox.jpg

Joshua, you are the greatest! I have so much respect for people who actually rescue and care about wee defenseless kittens and puppies.

Regarding the flea problem, you could just get hold of an flea comb to remove the fleas, and of course see if you can get a fleabomb or two for the apartment - you would have to be out of the partment, and so does the kittens when using them.

Before using the fleabomb, get rid of the old box where th ekittens have been living in, and after you have used the bomb, get a new box and air the apartment for 1-2 hours...

Also remember to get the kittens de-wormed as they might have gotten worms from eth fleas, but any vet would know how to treat fleas and worms on kittens.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ 

http://www.joshuazimmerman.com/blog/...gkittenbox.jpg

Put that camera down and deliver cuddles!

One thing Josh... ...if you're finding a home for them please try and get one where they'll take all three. My three youngest came as a package deal and they're much happier for still being together.

[Dark Helmet]

I have usually only brushed them and it got rid of them but talk to the local pet store or vet and they can recommend if it is ok to use those drops you put on their neck that kills the fleas.

Fleas can kill kittens as they can drink so much blood they literally have none left. Keep them warm, lots of food and even some kitten formula luke warm in a dish.

BTW you are doing a really nice thing

[Rumor]

For now, bathing and brushing is all you can do. You don't want to bathe them too often though, maybe 3 times a week.

Another thing you can try is eucalyptis (sp?). Fleas are repulsed by the smell. You can try putting some in thier box in a way they cannot eat it. It might help.

[finboy]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

For now, bathing and brushing is all you can do. You don't want to bathe them too often though, maybe 3 times a week.

Another thing you can try is eucalyptis (sp?). Fleas are repulsed by the smell. You can try putting some in thier box in a way they cannot eat it. It might help.

Cedar shavings might help too, but that will drive the fleas to other places in the apartment.

[JoshuaZ]

I think we got most of them. I don`t know how long I`ll be having them around, so I`ll probably just stick to giving them baths. Plus this way I can clean off all the kitty poo they have built up. They`re just starting to clean themselves, but not doing the best of job. I`d rather not use a flea bomb in my place... I had allergy issues. Hopefully the fleas didn`t get out of the box, or will die on their own. My blood doesn`t taste too good.

Those guys have been gettign love from lots of people. I have a friend stopping by during the day to feed them, and she has been spending upwards of two hours an afternoon playing with them. They are just super cute.

As much as I would love to keep them together, because I would, its tough enough to find homes for just one let alone all three. This is Japan. Most people I know live in apartments. I would keep one, but I honestly have allergy issues and I`m gone a lot. (I do love cats....)

The first guy heads out on Friday night, getting a new place in Hiroshima City. I`m already sad. (That and he`s the only one who has figured out the litter box thus far)

[andi*pandi]

aww. that's a generous thing to do.

I'd say you're doing the right thing with baths, since they need em anyway. If the kittens didn't sleep on your bed or anything, then the fleas haven't likely spread. Anything they've slept on wash to get rid of flea eggs.

[itai195]

You're doing a great thing JoshuaZ!

[Tuoder]

I just had a similar thing happen to me. One kitten, no fleas. It was meowing its little butt off, sitting under my friend's car. It was cold and thin. We saved it. I think we are going to keep him. He has managed to get along with our other cat for a week.

[medicineman]

Originally Posted by Tuoder 

I just had a similar thing happen to me. One kitten, no fleas. It was meowing its little butt off, sitting under my friend's car. It was cold and thin. We saved it. I think we are going to keep him. He has managed to get along with our other cat for a week.

Congrats on the rescue. One of our cats got out one night. Opened a screen in the basement and was back before morning. We never knew he was gone. In two days, the house was full of fleas. I was wondering what was biting my ankles. We brought him, and two others we had, to the vet where they were 'dipped'. I guess the vet uses a special concoction. While they were there, we had the house 'bombed' professionally. All three floors were involved. The whole thing cost me about 1k. It was an expensive lesson to learn.

[Andy8]

How is Domo-kun holding up with the suddern lack of attention?

[Dark Helmet]

I loooove taken care of kittens. They are so rowdy and cute it is ridiculous.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Andy8 

How is Domo-kun holding up with the suddern lack of attention?

Domo-kun is doing fine. He is quite flea free himself.

One of the kittens left tonight for its new home in Hiroshima City. I had tears. I still do. Goodbye Mr. Squeekers. I hardly knew you. (Though the place is a lot less noisy now that you're gone.)

(So someone asked what their names were, so on the fly I came up with Mr. Squeekers, Brownie, and Sleepy. )

I got some pet shampoo from the pet store, the lady said it should help kill fleas and would be fine with the kittens. I got a new box all worked up and then washed each one before moving them to the new box. Hopefully the itching in my scalp is from my dry skin.....

The kitten box, before, was next to my bed. I'm going to wash my sheets and sweep up. I've not gotten any bites, so that should be a good sign. I was rather careful about keeping them in a box, or when I was holding them, having them wrapped in a towel.

My apartment is small. A bomb would probably be overkill unless I know for a fact that I have a problem.

[Dark Helmet]

When you wash them make sure you don't get water into their ears. It can easily give them a major infection.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

When you wash them make sure you don't get water into their ears. It can easily give them a major infection.

Thats good to know. I'm sure I have avoided that thus far. I'll probably give them another bath in a week. Just to be sure.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ 

Thats good to know. I'm sure I have avoided that thus far. I'll probably give them another bath in a week. Just to be sure.

Just fill the sink with warm water (to their tummy level) with the shampoo in it. Then one at a time put them in the sink and use your hand or cup to scoop up some water and pour it on them bellow the neck. For the face just use your damp hand to rub it a bit.

Then rice them with clean water from the cup, dry them without using a hair dryer and put them somewhere warm and dry to do the rest of the drying themselves.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

Then rice them

Shouldn't be a problem in Japan.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

Just fill the sink with warm water (to their tummy level) with the shampoo in it. Then one at a time put them in the sink and use your hand or cup to scoop up some water and pour it on them bellow the neck. For the face just use your damp hand to rub it a bit.

Then rice them with clean water from the cup, dry them without using a hair dryer and put them somewhere warm and dry to do the rest of the drying themselves.

Exactly what I've been doing....

[andi*pandi]

depending on how badly they have fleas, you can't avoid getting their head wet, fleas run to the head, eyes, nose... before you get their body wet, you've got to make a soap barrier around the neck to stop the migration.

if you have a hand sprayer (like at the kitchen sink) you can aim pretty well and not flood the ears.

post more pix!

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

Then rice them.....

How do you rice a cat?

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

How do you rice a cat?

Hey he is in Japan so he should know better

[typoon]

My financee and I rescued a kitten she also had some fleas. We got a flea comb from Petsmart and just combed. The person from the shelter who had been at the petsmart put a little of the frontline on her and she's not worse for wear. Of course it was only a little dab nothing much. We also took her to the vet. I'm sure they could give you something for them.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

Hey he is in Japan so he should know better

Use a rice cooker, Duh.

Put kitten in rice cooker.

Set time.

Hit "start".

Enjoy!