How Do I know If My Kitten Has Fleas?

Yea, looks pretty dumb, eh?

Anyway, too make al ong story short.

I took my kitten to the vet about a month ago was th elast visit. Didn't say she had fleas.

I moved about of my old apt about 1 week later. My old tenant says now the house is infested with fleas. At the time my kitten an eye infection, that's been remedied. Vet found that, we got treatment and kitten was fine.

I haven't SEEN any little bugs running around my new apt. Nor have I seen any on the skin of my kitten...and I hold her quite often. also have not seen any excessive grooming (what is excessive , anyway?)

Nor do I have irritation on my body etc. etc., nor have I seen bugs on my skin at all (and My kitten sleeps with me every night)

Could my kitten have fleas? Should I get one of those cheap over the counter flea fighters just in case she's developing it?

I guess my main question is that, I don't think she has fleas. And if she did wouldn't it be noticable???

Yes, you would most likely notice if she has fleas. firstly, you'll see them on the cat however it may be difficult if she has dark hair. Ours have ****e paws and you can see them there. And, you will spot them around the house if you have them.

Is she an outdoor cat ? If yes, I'd treat her with frontline or something to make sure that she doesn't catch fleas from other cats and to kill any that she's already got if she has any.

PLEASE don't use any cheap, over the counter flea medication on your baby. I used to work at a vet's office & the over-the-counter stuff unfortunately 1) doesn't work & 2) can often make cats sick. Hartz is the worst offender; they are actually going to take some of their kitty flea products off the market starting next spring because they have made so many kitties sick. If you're worried about the cost of Advantage or Frontline, some vets will sell you a single dose rather than a 6-pack, which can make it more immediately affordable.
Amanda

PS: Here's a link regarding the Hartz flea control recall if anyone is interested:
http://www.cathelp-online.com/health/justsayno.php

I definately agree with Seppolina. DO NOT use over the counter flea meds. My neighbors adopted an adult stray (before I moved in) and not knowing better, used OTC flea med. Shadow had seizures for two days. Luckily no long term damage was done, but be very careful! Also, I think if the apartment would have been infested while you were there (bad enough that whoever is there now is complaining), I think you would have noticed! Maybe they worked their way in while you were moving out. No telling! But like the previous poster said, buying Advantage (what I use) is not that expensive. I go to an animal medical clinic where you can buy one application (lasts a month) for $5. I am going today to get a 6 month supply, don't know the price but I'm assuming its at the most $30. Not bad for a half year flea free! Good luck

I also agree - get any meds from your vet and not over the counter.

You could potentially end up spending a lot more at the vet's because of a very sick kittie by trying to save money buying cheap over-the-counter products or giving the wrong dosage. Vets will prescribe according to weight of the cat.

Originally Posted by Carla

Yes, you would most likely notice if she has fleas. firstly, you'll see them on the cat however it may be difficult if she has dark hair. Ours have ****e paws and you can see them there. And, you will spot them around the house if you have them.

Is she an outdoor cat ? If yes, I'd treat her with frontline or something to make sure that she doesn't catch fleas from other cats and to kill any that she's already got if she has any.

Click to expand...

Thanks.

Nope she's strictly indoor and has always been. She has dark hair, but also has lighter stripes...and I've taken a good luck in there in the past to make sure i'm not going crazy....

As far as the overthecoutner stuff...thanks for the warning(s). I would've bought something later today.

it's a shame that these have such adverse effects on cats. It's an evn bigger shame that these harmful products remain on the counters....

Oftentimes just running your fingers through the fur and finding little peices of dirt (particulary for an indoor kitty) is a sure sign. A flea brush taken through the coat should reveal dirt/fleas if she has any. I'm sure you'd notice after a while so she probably dosen't.

As others here have said, DO NOT buy over the counter flea meds or meds online unless your vet has specifically suggested that you do so or you have enough experience and knowledge that you know what you are actually doing. It also isn't a great idea to treat your cat to flea meds if the cat does not have fleas. If you cannot tell then please do the right thing and take this kitty to the vet and have it checked. Fleas are not easy to get rid of and most of those products will not work so you waste all that money and end up having to take them to the vet anyway and having to bomb your home or have exterminators in. It could cost you a lot more in the long term than a simple visit to the vet.

You can actually do more harm to your kitty by using non vet prescribed meds and end up having to pay the vet more for a seriously ill kitty.

Do the right thing - take your kitty to the vet.

I have two kittens I rescued from outside. I knew they had worms, and I thought maybe they had flea mites. No sign of bugs except one tick. Brought them to the vet, she did the flea comb test, sure enough they were there! She found one flea on Suzie,and the towel turned red. They were treated and now seem fine. My neighbors cat definitely had fleas, they were on her and her body was scabby from scratching. I felt bad for it and treated it with some revolution I had- the stuff worked like magic, she was better within a few days. BTW the neighbor has been in and out of the hospital and relatives have been taking care of the cat.

One way you can tell for sure if she has fleas is to give her a bath and all the flea dirt will turn red when water hits it and you will see little red specks running down the drain. Of course your cat might be mad at you for a while unless she likes water. If you see a speck of dirt of her you can dab some water on it and see if it turns red. It will be really red, like itty bitty specks of dried blood or something.