Poison-Free Flea Removal for Kittens & Puppies

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.

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.*

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.)*

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.

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.

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.

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.