where'd the fleas come from...? cats really dont have to be outside, and they shouldnt be outside, cause of all kind of health worries.

dont use a flea collar or flea sprays----can kill a cat as quick as kill fleas.

put regular table salt in corners of room, away from kitten; salt can kill a cat----but salt also kills fleas, by cutting through their hard shell; fleas really like to hang out in dark spots, so put table spot WHERE KITTEN CANT GET TO SALT

get a dollar flea comb, comb out fleas every few hours, wash the kitten in dish washer detergent to help kill fleas.

A CAT STOP USING A LITTERBOX IS A SIGN THAT CAT IS SICK.

fleas on a kitten can really make poor kitten sick----start doing something about those fleas, pronto.

Thanks for the quick reply...

I think she already had a few when I got her...she was the runt of the litter, abandoned by her mother and rescued from a predominantly hispanic neighborhood that don't like black cats...black is my favorite color and I love her to death (like I said) but I'm not a good a kitty mommy :(

anyway, I was going to take her to the vet to get her shots and stuff, but I haven't had the chance...and now...well now I am just frustrated cause she pees and poops everywhere but in her litter box...I thought it was just her way of telling me that she is mad at me (everyone else is mad at me, why wouldn't she be) or that she wants more attention!

Like I said, I do love her...and I like to hold her and cuddle with her,..I hold her in my arms like a baby...and stroke her and talk to her and play with her...but I still think she wants more attention...I don't know.

Do you really think she is sick since she isn't using her litter box?
Now I am really worried about her...:( I don't want her to be sick, I love her too much!

maybe, at her age, and from being outside, not used to a litter box.

instead of cuddling, which could give you fleas, you could bond better by using a flea comb on the kitten. can toss the fleas into soapy jar right away; simple water can kill fleas.

definately do something about fleas----cause from two infestations i had, by time i got rid of all fleas, i had counted in the hundreds; they multiply like wildfire.

and it can take days for a cat to get used to new surroundings and people, so probably best to let the kitten alone for a few days; it's probably scared about being away from the other cats. the kitten should even have its own hiding/safe spot for now, where it can be alone when wants to be.

make sure the cat has plenty of water to drink; water is as important as food.

Get that lil critter to a vet ASAP. She is probably in a great deal of discomfort. They can give her a flea dip that is not harmful to the cat; and they can see if there are parasites or other problems causing her to not use the litterbox. Animals who are flea-infested can often be carrying intestinal parasites.

Keep her clean, clean, clean. Treat everywhere she sleeps for two-three weeks...keep everything very clean. You CAN get on top of a flea situation.

And there are pyrethrin products (made from flowers) which work VERY well on fleas, and these should not pose a problem for you or the kitten, used correctly.

Talk to the vet about how to do all of this.

One kitten I had brought the larvae in on her coat...another caught them by sitting next to a screen door at ground level.

Fleas can get everywhere. That's why you have to be scrupulous about follow-up, killing eggs and larvae as well.

Another tip: use (not too much) flea powder in your vac bag. Kills what you vacuum up. And be ready to vacuum A LOT and to DO A LOT OF LAUNDRY.

But know that kitten will appreciate it; I guarantee it.

Hugs for encouragement

OOOX

By all means, jump on the flea problem ASAP! Call the vet and let them know that you have a flea problem and need to bring the kitten as soon as possible. They should be able to set a time for you to come; you might need to come in via the back door to avoid passing fleas onto other animals there.

If the vet wants to keep the kitten overnight, by all means go for it. Then, like Skyes said, get ready to do a lot of laundry.

I moved into an apartment, decades ago, that had a flea infestation that was terrible. I used those flea bombs as directed and BAM, problem solved. Be sure to do the follow up suggested, the job of the followup is to catch the eggs etc that were not effected by the first application.

Gentle hugs, and thank you for taking an unwanted kitty into your life. It will take some time, but she will get the idea about the litter box. Cats are neat and clean animals by nature, and she will get with the program!

You'll need to bleach your baseboards as that is where they lay eggs and they'll keep hatching. Borax dries them up and kills them by drying them up, I used it on the floors but if you're not patient enough to wait on them to die out you may need to get a bug expert to do it for you. The vet is the best way to get them off of her.

I agree, getting her to the vet should be the first thing. She can get treated, and they'll show you how to do all the follow-up care at home. It takes patience, but you can totally do it.

If you have a really bad infestation, you might have to consider calling a pest control company. They'll come out and turn all your furniture upside down, spray everywhere (you might have to stay at a hotel or with friends for a day or two). Pricey, but sometimes the only option.

The litter box thing could be a sign that she's sick, that she doesn't like the litter box (they can be really picky, mine won't use his if there is a single piece or poo or a pee-clump in there. Not a one!), the box is too big for her, lots of different things.

Try to find a kitten-size one...they have them at the big pet-supply places. Go back over box-training. If she grew up poorly, she may have never really been trained. They've got really good step-by-step guides online for free.

If she goes outside, I would ask your vet about age requirements (I can't remember) and then start her on something like Frontline...its' really easy...yes, it's a chemical, but it works...you just put it between the shoulder blades once a month, and only the months she goes outside (for mine, that's only 3 lol).

If money's an issue, try contacting a local no-kill shelter. They sometimes have great resources for getting low- or no-cost basics like shots, spay/neuter, and other stuff. So I'm thinking they might also have some resources for a low-cost flea dip or other treatment.

But yeah...get her healthy, get the fleas out, then deal with the litter box. If she's sick, no training is gonna stick.

I know this can feel totally overwhelming, but you CAN do this...and you'll have a healthy, beautiful, grateful little kitty when it's all over :)

Wishing you peace and patience :)

we were infested with fleas last year....and my 2 are indoor cats. We used a flea treatment on them, flea combed them daily and put the fleas in soapy water, sprayed and vacuumed vacuumed vacuumed. We also bought flea traps.

Being yours is a kitten, I would take her to a vet and have them treat her. Ask them for natural solutions to use in your home, because kittens get in to everything I would be wary of chemicals. Use a flea comb. And vacuum OFTEN ...empty the bag outside everytime you do and put in it the garbage outside. Flea traps can be purchased online and they sound silly, but it worked for me.

Oh the vacuum, I should have said, put something on the floor and vacuum it up such as borax or something that will dry up any fleas that may get sucked up in there.

My cat(my kids actually) didn't have the flea problem, but wouldn't use the box except for peeing. It shit in the bathroom sink! Well I moved the box into the bathroom under the sink and put a book over the sink and he's used the box since. Just my experience...He's a good little guy and I don't want to get rid of him

flea an tick shampoo sweety and read the back of the bottles to make sure it is age appropriate for your kitten. I know the kitten will not appretiate it but she will not hate you either. When she gets to 6 months their are drops you can use. when you baith her grab her by the back of her neck like her mother did to carry her around so she cant scratch you.
If she has a spot she often goes in put puppy pads in that area and move her litter box to that location. In time I bet you wont need the pads