Check their ears regularly for signs of dirt and ear mites. You can clean dirt from their ears with a cotton ball or swab. Towel-dry until they are completely dry. You can use a blow dryer on its lowest setting if the kitten is at least one week old, but avoid blowing directly on its face. If you find evidence of fleas or flea dirt on the kitten, consult your veterinarian immediately for flea products that are appropriate for the age of the kitten.
Fleas can cause serious health problems for a young kitten, such as anemia.
You should also examine the kitten regularly for skin irritations such as ringworm or mange. If the kitten scratches repeatedly or has bare patches of skin, consult your vet and keep the kitten isolated from any other kittens you are fostering. Socialization Nursing kittens have an oral fixation and need to satisfy their need to suckle. If the kitten is part of a litter, they may suck the ears, tails and genitals of other kittens which can lead to skin irritations. You will need to caress their mouths with your finger or a soft cloth to alleviate their need for suckling.