How to Get Rid of Fleas on Kittens

Fleas can make kittens itchy, sick, and—if they’re really severe—even cause serious blood loss (anemia).

Some methods for getting fleas off pets, such as using a flea comb and bathing them, will only kill the adult fleas on your kitten. They don’t prevent new fleas from jumping on.

Because fleas have a complex life cycle, they don’t need to live on your pets to survive as eggs, larvae, and pupae. In these stages, they can live in your home or in your yard.

So how do you get rid of fleas on kittens? Which treatments are safe, and what are the best flea treatments for kittens?

Here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of fleas on kittens.

Bathing a Kitten With Fleas

If your newborn or young kitten is facing a flea issue, a bath is the quickest way to solve the problem along with cleaning their environment and treating all pets in the home.

When bathing kittens, it’s important to get them used to the water when they are young.

Cutting your kitten's nails first can be helpful in case they get scared and accidentally scratch you. It’s important when bathing kittens—especially newborn or young kittens—to have a plan on how to dry them and get them warmed up after their bath. Kittens can get cold easily and when they are wet, it speeds up the process.

Make sure you have a warm towel. Additionally, supervised heat support is recommended so kittens don’t get hypothermia. Using warm and not cool or cold water is also advised to help prevent too much heat loss during their bath.

Gradually introducing water to your new kitten is a good idea and can be accomplished by giving them a small bowl of water to play with. You can also dunk their paws in the water to show them that it’s not harmful.

Using treats and toys for positive reinforcement can also create a good bath time experience.

Use a small tub. Place a small ring of soap around a young kitten's neck to prevent any fleas from crawling onto their face or to prevent soap from getting in their eyes and mouth.  

Avoid using any sprayers. Instead, use a cup of water to gently rinse your kitten.

Make sure to remove all water from your kitten’s fur before drying them well with a towel or warm dryer.

Never leave your kitten alone when using drying electronics, as they can overheat very quickly.

Tips for Getting Rid of Fleas on Kittens

Making sure all pets in the house are treated for fleas, trying to manage fleas in the home and the environment, and washing bedding in soapy hot water can all help reduce the transmission of fleas to kittens. But when it comes to getting rid of fleas already on kittens, there are some additional things to take into consideration.

Let's look at five tips to consider when getting rid of fleas on kittens.

1. Don’t Use Products With Permethrin

Cats have a poor ability to process certain drugs and chemicals that humans and dogs can easily handle. This poor processing ability means these substances can be toxic for cats at very low doses, even though they are perfectly safe for dogs and humans.

One of the drugs cats have trouble with is permethrin, which is found in many flea medications because it’s effective against fleas. However, while it is safe for dogs, it’s very toxic to cats. Be extremely careful and check all flea products to make sure they don’t contain permethrin.

Read all labels very carefully. Even if a flea product is safe for cats, it does not mean that it is safe for kittens. If you’re not sure a product is safe, ask your veterinarian.

2. Do Not Use Essential Oils for Fleas on Kittens and Cats

Cats’ poor ability to process certain compounds also means that many kinds of essential oils can be toxic to cats, even at low doses and concentrations.

Many natural flea treatments use essential oils because they can be effective against fleas. However, essential oils can be very dangerous for cats, so it’s best to avoid these products, especially for kittens.

3. Look for Flea Treatments That Are Approved for Kittens

The best options for getting rid of fleas on kittens depends on their age and weight. An 8-week-old kitten only weighs about 1.5–2 pounds.

Most products are safe for use in kittens older than 8–10 weeks or over 1.5–2 pounds, but every product is different. Typically, flea products haven’t been tested on kittens younger or smaller than this, so they may contain doses that are too high for very young, tiny kittens.

Always read the warnings and instructions carefully to be sure that a flea product will be safe and effective for your kitten. Your veterinarian can also help you find products to get rid of fleas on your kitten, regardless of their size and age.

Revolution® Topical Solution for Kittens and Puppies may be an option to discuss with your vet. This product is the only flea medication approved for kittens that weigh between 0 to 5 pounds and are 8 weeks or older (and 6 weeks and older for puppies).

4. Use Natural Methods to Get Rid of Fleas on Very Young Kittens

There are two ways to get rid of fleas on kittens that don’t require using flea products: bathing and flea combing.

However, these treatments only get rid of the adult fleas living on your kitten; they won’t prevent any new fleas living in the environment from getting on your kitten or other pets. While these methods are not long-term solutions, they are safe for very young and small kittens that can’t safely use flea products yet. 

Using a Flea Comb: For very young kittens—under 8 weeks—the safest option is using a flea comb on them once or twice a day. This will allow you to physically remove the adult fleas without exposing your young kitten to potentially toxic ingredients in products.

Giving Your Kitten a Bath: As discussed above, bathing your kitten is another safe and effective option to help your kitten get rid of fleas.

Remember these safety tips:

• Don’t bathe your kitten more than twice a week. Frequent bathing can be damaging to their skin.

• Keep your kitten warm during the bath and dry them quickly afterward. Kittens are not very good at maintaining their body temperature at this age.

• Avoid flea shampoos. They aren’t intended for use in kittens under 12 weeks of age.

• If you use soap, choose a nonmedicated, tear-free, gentle soap like Dawn® or a baby shampoo. Soapy water helps prevent fleas from jumping out of the bathwater, although it isn’t necessary to remove or kill fleas.

• Be sure to thoroughly rinse the soap off so your kitten doesn’t ingest it while grooming after the bath.

5. Start a Topical Treatment When Your Kitten Is Old Enough 

Once kittens are 8 to 10 weeks and over 1.5 to 2 pounds, there are more options for topical flea prevention. These products not only kill fleas on your kitten but can prevent new fleas from hitching a ride on your pet.

There are numerous over-the-counter and prescription options available for flea treatment that are safe and effective for kittens. If you’re using an over-the-counter product, remember to check all ingredients and be sure to use the right dose for your kitten’s weight.

Your veterinarian can prescribe a safe product and give you guidance on which flea products would be safe and effective for your kitten.