Expert: Karen Craft - 6/11/2008

Question
I just found a kitten that may be 8 to 10 weeks old. I know they can not get human lice, but can get animal specific lice. I think this kitten has lice. I found whitish,red nits, but have not seen any type of bug other than fleas. I have picked off all fleas by hand, but I am have a terrible time getting the nits off. Since I can not put any over the counter products on the kitten because of it's age, do you have any suggestions? Can I try using Olive Oil to kill any active bugs there my be, websites say olive oil smothers human lice. Help I have three other cats, I don't want something like this make me get rid of the kitten and a vet is 1 1/2 hours away. thank you

Answer
Hi Casey,

Here's a great article on how to remove fleas from kittens. Dawn works great. And you wind up with a nice smelling kitten. When the kit gets old enough get Advantage for cats. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

Things You'll Need:

Warm Room Without Carpet
Flea-infested Furry Animal
Plastic Box or Tub Slightly Larger Than Furry Animal
2-3" Lukewarm (like a baby bath) Water in Tub
1 Large Sponge Cloth
2 Towels
Dawn Dish Soap (others may work as well, but avoid perfumed ones)
Flea Comb
Patience

Step1

Choose a clear area on an uncarpeted floor. Place tub of lukewarm water on one doubled-over towel on the floor. Place large sponge in the water. Gather Dawn, Furry Animal, and the other towel close at hand.

Step2

Place Furry Animal in the water, with front feet firmly on the sponge.
*Animals, particularly cats, need to feel their feet are on firm ground. If an animal feels its feet slipping about on a slick, wet surface it will panic and grab onto the nearest surface it can grip. . . by providing the sponge, which their claws can grip for stability, you avoid becoming a pincushion.*

Step3

Using your hands wet the Furry Animal thoroughly from the base of the ears to the tip of the tail.
*Be careful not to get water into the ears or eyes. Talk to your pet in a soothing tone during the entire bath. (Tell him or her how grateful you are not to be a pincushion.)*

Step4

Squeeze quarter-sized blob of Dawn into your palm. Lather slightly between your palms and then apply to Furry Animal. Begin by applying suds to the base of the ears and work your way to the tail.
*Always begin with the area around the ears because fleas will crawl into the ears to avoid being soaped.*
Gently remove Furry Animal from tub and set onto the towel you have under the tub. Finish applying soap, being sure to get between toes and under tail. Tuck a corner of Towel up over miserable, wet Furry Animal and wait five minutes. Keep talking and praising so Furry Animal still loves you tomorrow.

Step5

Check water temperature and add more warm water as needed, but make certain water is no more than chin-deep. Place Furry Animal gently back into tub and onto sponge. Rinse with hands and gently comb out fleas. Tuck Furry Animal back into towel and empty and refill tub with clean rinse water. I recommend emptying into toilet. Rinse Furry Animal a final time.

Step6

Rub kitten gently with the dry, clean towel and then wrap and cuddle. Keep sweet-talking and let Furry Animal feel your heartbeat. Do not let Furry Animal outside until COMPLETELY dry.

Step7

Clean up: wash & dry towels on hot, along with any bedding Furry Animal has used. Then apply a generous amount of table salt to areas of carpet or other flooring where Furry Animal spends time, this will kill remaining eggs and make the area uninhabitable for fleas. You can vacuum up the salt in 2-3 days.