How Do Fleas Affect Kittens?

Fleas can make your cat feel uncomfortable and irritable. You can detect fleas by looking for red, crusty bumps on your cat’s fur. You can also find hair loss and bald spots on your cat’s neck, legs, and tail base. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s probably time to seek treatment.

Flea medications are available over-the-counter (OTC) or through your veterinarian. Always read the label before applying a treatment to your kitten. Cats cannot process some drugs or chemicals well, so they should never be given the wrong medication. While most medications for cats are safe for dogs, some are toxic to cats. For this reason, we recommend using a veterinary flea treatment for your cat.

Fleas develop from larvae to adults within a week. Their life cycle includes feeding on the blood of the host. Once mature, they lay eggs anywhere. These eggs hatch in one to twelve days depending on temperature. Warmer temperatures help the eggs hatch faster. After hatching, the white worm-like larvae emerge from the eggs. They spin a cocoon and pupate within seven to fourteen days. The fleas then begin their life cycle all over again.

If your kitten has fleas, you should consider treating them as soon as possible. These tiny parasites can cause serious problems for your pet. Some of these problems include anemia and drastic weight loss.