Fleas on Kittens - Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

There are four different stages in the flea life cycle: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Of these, only adult fleas live on cats. The other three immature stages make up 95% of the flea population and are found in the environment – the adult fleas seen on pets are only the tip of the iceberg of a flea infestation! Kittens can get fleas from any environment where other flea-infested animals have been, such as your home, backyard or other outdoor area. It is rare for adult fleas to jump from one animal to another. 

Read on for a description of the different flea life stages so you know what to look for on your kitten and in their environment.

Fleas are small parasitic insects with a body divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They lack wings and have three pairs of legs, using their powerful hind legs to jump significant distances.

Fleas can detect vibrations, carbon dioxide, and heat, indicating the presence of a potential host, however these are too small to see with the naked eye. Their bodies are shielded by hard plates called sclerites, which make them tough to crush. Fleas also have long, straw-like mouthparts to pierce the skin of their host and feed on blood.

Adult female fleas lay eggs on their host, but these eggs soon fall off into the environment, in places such as bedding, carpets, or cracks in the floor. Unfortunately, flea eggs are very small and light in colour, making them challenging to see or detect.

•    Size: Flea eggs are about 0.5 mm long and 0.3 mm wide, slightly larger than a grain of table salt.
•    Colour: Fresh eggs are semi-transparent and colourless to white, becoming more opaque and pearly-white as they age.
•    Shape: They are oval and elongated with rounded ends.

- Flea Larvae: The eggs hatch in the environment into flea larvae which look like tiny, white-ish worms with pale-coloured hairs, measuring about 2-5 mm. They thrive in dark, hidden spots like deep in carpets or bedding. 

- Flea Pupae: The larvae develop and then produce a sticky cocoon called a pupa which attracts debris from the environment to help protect it. Inside, the pre-emerged flea can develop in less than 10 days, but they can remain in this stage for up to 6 months before emerging depending on environmental conditions. Pupae are normally found deep in carpets or underneath organic debris. 

By the time you notice fleas on your kitten, it is likely that there is already a flea infestation in your home. Here are some signs of fleas on kittens to look out for:

Fleas are small, brown to reddish-brown insects about 1-3 mm in length. You can spot them with the naked eye, especially on light-coloured fur. Use a bright light and part your kitten’s fur to examine the skin, focusing on areas where fleas are often found, like the base of the tail, neck, belly, and groin.

Flea dirt is flea faeces, and it appears as tiny black specks on your kitten’s fur or bedding, like ground black pepper. To confirm if it's flea dirt on your kitten, place some on a white paper towel and add a few drops of water. If it turns red or reddish-brown, it’s flea dirt, which is flea faeces containing digested blood.

A fine-tooth flea comb or a kitten flea brush can help you find fleas and flea dirt. Comb through your kitten’s fur and have a bowl of soapy water ready to dunk any fleas you catch, preventing them from escaping.

It may not be easy to see the fleas themselves but some kitten flea symptoms include:
•    Frequent scratching: Kittens may scratch due to flea bites.
•    Excessive grooming: Licking, chewing, and grooming can be signs of irritation caused by fleas.
•    Hair loss or bald spots: Excessive scratching or grooming may lead to loss of hair. 
•    Redness or rashes: Skin irritation, redness and scabs may occur secondary to fleas, especially if a kitten has a flea allergy (flea allergy dermatitis). 
There are several other causes of skin disease in kittens and its best to consult your vet to confirm the diagnosis.
 

If a flea infestation occurs in your home, you might notice flea bites on your legs and ankles. Fleas can transmit bacteria responsible for flea-borne spotted fever to people and so using flea control for kittens is important for human health too.