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My kitten has fleas, is in pain, and underweight. What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 2 lbs

My kitten seems to be very small/underweight for her age. I believe it could have something to do with her being separated from him mother too early, but I’m not sure. I cannot figure out how old she is. Today, she started meowing and howling when I would touch her stomach and back foot. She clings to me and normally doesn’t care where I’m petting her. I’m worried she is in pain, but I don’t know for sure. I’ve been unable to get her fleas under control. I bathe her in Dawn dish soap.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 31st, 2019

Poor Leela. Try Frontline Spray. It's safe to use on kittens as young as two days of age. You will also have to disinfect the environment, as fleas live there, not on the kitten, and if you don't disinfect that, it will be a continuing source of fleas. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. I'd also have her checked out by a vet today since it seems like she is in pain. Best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on October 29th, 2017
I would wash her again in dawn as This should kill some of the fleas. You cannot our topical flea product on her until she is at least 8 weeks old usually but this varies depending on the product you choose. If she is over 2 pounds your vet may be able to provide you will a cap star pill which will kill all the fleas on her for a 24 hour period. I would make sure she is eating and drink and playing normally. I would also take her to your vet next week to make sure she doesn’t look anemic and to see if they have anything else you can use on her. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on August 26th, 2018
I can give you a flea treatment program for Elsa. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. I'd also have her checked out by a vet. If she has a lot of fleas, she could be anemic from the blood loss, leading to her being weak after a bath. Take her into the vet first thing in the morning. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on December 28th, 2018
Fleas can be tough to get rid of, but I can give you a flea treatment program for Paty. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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What to do for my fragile 3-week-old kitten with fleas to thrive?

Mavrick is so cute! Newborn kittens can be very fragile, and unfortunately sometimes some of them don't make it. The best advice I can give you is keep her warm and fed. and weigh her daily to make sure she is gaining weight. It's safe to use Frontline Spray on her to kill the fleas, so I would use that instead of bathing her every day. Be sure to disinfect the environment from the fleas, as they can be a continuing source of fleas. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Just keep her out of any room you use a flea spray on until it's dried completely. If there are any health problems or concerns with her, be sure to take her into a vet immediately. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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My skinny kitten has fleas, fever, and won't eat. Can I bathe her?

If she is ill, a bath would not be recommended. You can use a pet wipe or plain, unscented baby wipes to clean her up without getting her soaked. The fleas can be treated using Frontline Spray. Do not use any other topicals or oral preventatives. Frontline Spray is safe to use on young kittens. You will also need to wash all the bedding and vacuum everywhere she has been. Use a cat safe area treatment afterwards to prevent reinfestation. Warm the food slightly or mix in a teaspoon of baby food to stimulate her appetite. Offer small amounts of an electrolyte replacement beverage to treat or prevent mild dehydration. If she doesn't begin eating in the next 24 hours, have her rechecked by your veterinarian. She may need more intensive supportive care or hospitalization until she begins eating.

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How to safely treat fleas on a nursing cat and her kittens?

Frontline spray is safe to use on kittens from two days of age. If the kittens are that age, you can safely use it on them. It can also safely be used on Baby. You will also have to disinfect the environment, as fleas live in the home and not on the animal. Wash their bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If you do use a spray like Indorex, do not allow Baby and her kittens in that area until the spray is completely dry. I hope this helps.

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My 4-week-old kitten has severe fleas and is anemic. What to do?

I would recommend a Dawn dish soap bath with warm water and make sure you dry Sally well. I would look for a product called Frontline Spray, which should be labeled for young cats. Once she is 6-8 weeks, talk to a vet in your area about topical products, like Revolution or Frontline Gold. I also recommend treating the house for fleas with a carpet spray. Remember to throw out the vacuum bag and treat the other pets in the house for fleas. Make sure Sally is eating a quality diet with the proper vitamins and minerals the help the anemia. If the anemia is severe, she may require a blood transfusion. Kisses to Sally!

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My cat is scratching. How do I check for fleas and what are the signs?

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My kittens have fleas, hair loss, and swollen bellies. What to do?

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