Can anyone tell me the age of this Stray?

Hello, About two days ago  a little kitten found its way to our home. Of course, we started to leave it food and water - The kitten is very playful and sweet. Since my other cats are due to be spayed on Nov 4th. I am really considering taking this cat in under my wing and adopting it and getting it fixed as well. I do think however the cat is a little younger than the one's I adopted from the shelter months ago. Here are some pictures:





I was very tempted to just bring the cat indoors. But after bathing it, I saw  a lot of fleas on the cat sadly.They were crawling all over it's head. The cat doesn't act sickly. but It was just way to many fleas on the poor thing for me to feel comfortable with him walking around with my other pet's who do not have Fleas. Any tips on how to get this little girl/guy Clean of flea's So I can bring them into my home before Nov 4th?

 Edit: He is a lot smaller than the pictures lead on. maybe I was to close when taking pictures but he kept following me and wanting to play

You can use Zodiac flea shampoo as long as you follow the directions - it works well, and can be used as often as once a week if the infestation is severe. If you can get it to the veterinarian, Revolution seems to be very fast at killing the fleas. There was (maybe still is) something called Capstar which I am told is used in incredibly severe cases, but cannot be used alone. Confining the little one initially (a large dog crate with a wooden bench is ideal) can be beneficial as well, allowing it to acclimatise to its new surroundings but preventing interaction with your cats.

As for the age? Hard to tell from a photograph, but I'd guess no more than four months. Is it teething?

I actually have a dog crate, that would work wonderfully!  I am not sure if it is teething. I only stay outside a little bit to feed him/her  and to make sure it's alright. the little one stay inside our garage. I will look for the Flea shampoo you have mentioned thank you very much for the info.

The state of its teeth is a good indication of its age. If you get a chance, look in its mouth. You may see red gums, or missing teeth. You may see "double canines." Cats begin to teethe around sixteen weeks of age.

Thank you, I will try to do that. it's still skeptical and runs a few feet then comes back when it realizes you have food lol. My cats inside my home are going through the teething stage. they have been chewing on the blinds and on boxes

Ha! Once they realise you have "Food Source" written across your forehead, they come along nicely! Good luck!

You can also use Dawn soap or even other mild  soaps, for the baths.   The  fleas drown in them anyway.   But the bath must be repeated.

1.  Some do survive, usually by fleeing up on the head, or already being there (you dont want to submerge the whole kitten, including head!      )

2.  Eggs arent killed.

Yes, Capstar is effective, it kills instantly all the adult fleas being on the cat.  But it wont kill larvae and eggs, so it must be supplemented with something else, more long range.

Even bath every week, for a months forward.

But I understand this kitten isnt no more ferale he lets you bathe him without too wild protests??   I see he is a first rate candidate for fostering and adoption.

Tx for caring!

Good luck"

Haha I actually used Dawn on the kitten. that's when I notice the flea's running to it's head. ;[  Oh He did protest but i think they didn't like the water. probably was the first time getting a bath. He meowed loudly which raised a concern in my other two cats. but when it was done, he let me wrap him up in a towel and hold him for about an hour he actually started to fall asleep.  I surely thought when I took him back outside he would high tail it and run from me, but he comes up and meows and greets me, Who would of thought? after a bath. haha!  

The closet "pet" shop I have is Wal-mart.  I tried looking to see if they carry the zodiac product but no luck. My dog takes a flea pill every month - it suppose to last 30 days. I get it from the local vet. I wonder if they would let me purchase one  for the kitten? They might want to do a check up to make sure he/she is of age for the pill and the correct weight first. Thank you all for the replies!

Kayfaei said:

 
Haha I actually used Dawn on the kitten. that's when I notice the flea's running to it's head. ;[  Oh He did protest but i think they didn't like the water. probably was the first time getting a bath. He meowed loudly which raised a concern in my other two cats. but when it was done, he let me wrap him up in a towel and hold him for about an hour he actually started to fall asleep.  I surely thought when I took him back outside he would high tail it and run from me, but he comes up and meows and greets me, Who would of thought? after a bath. haha!  

The closet "pet" shop I have is Wal-mart.  I tried looking to see if they carry the zodiac product but no luck. My dog takes a flea pill every month - it suppose to last 30 days. I get it from the local vet. I wonder if they would let me purchase one  for the kitten? They might want to do a check up to make sure he/she is of age for the pill and the correct weight first. Thank you all for the replies!

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This is actually one of our patented tricks for fostering of young kittens!  (may work for older semiferales too, but especially effective with young kittens).

The patenholder is our forumite Catwoman707,  but  I recommend this trick wholeheartly.

Good you do have contact with your vet.  Let the vet recommend suitable dewormers.  He knows what is there at your local market to get.

Its entirely possible to buy them on your own, but you must know exactly what.  Quite a few of OTC preparates are directly dangerous!  Especielly some of de-fleasers.

Others are OK for dogs, but dangerous for cats.