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My cat just had kittens and they have fleas. How can I treat them?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Okay my cat gave birth to kittens last night and this morning I checked them n they had fleas!But my cat had a flea collar. How can I get rid of them?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 23rd, 2016

Unfortunately, flea collars aren't that effective at getting rid of fleas. The mother cat will need a spot on treatment, such as Frontline or Revolution, both of which are safe to use on nursing mothers. Remove the flea collar before giving her the spot on treatment. You can also give her Capstar at the same time, it's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes. You will have to wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. Do NOT use the spot on flea treatment on the kittens, it is not safe to use on them. You can gently bathe them in warm water, towel them dry, and then use a flea comb to comb out the fleas. A spot on treatment cannot be used on them until they are at least six weeks of age.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 19th, 2017

    Great question! You can use Revolution on Violet as it's safe to use on nursing mothers. It is not safe, however, to use any flea treatment on the kittens. You can bath them gently in warm water and Dawn dish soap, using a flea comb to comb out all the dead fleas. Then be sure to dry them thoroughly. You will also need to disinfect the environment. Wash their bedding in hot soap water, and vacuum all the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray such as Indorex to kill the fleas in the home, but do not allow Violet or her kittens in the areas that you spray it until it is completely dry. I hope this helps!

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