Natural Remedies For Fleas On Cats

Home Remedies For Flea Control In Cats

Fleas are an annoying parasite that infest our cats, our homes, our yards and sometimes even ourselves. Fleas multiply quickly and can take over in no time. Fleas carry disease, cause skin irritation and itching and for cats with allergies can cause hair loss, rashes, swelling, or more severe symptoms. If your cat suffers from fleas, you can purchase commercial treatments in stores, or you can go the natural route and take care of the fleas with simple home remedies.

Natural Remedies For Cat Fleas

Posted August 21, 2014byThe Cats Inn

When it comes to pets fleas are a troublesome enemy. Though we do our best to protect our cats from coming into contact with fleas sometimes our efforts fall short and we must find the best way to remedy the situation.

Many cat owners dread putting their pets through harsh and often toxic, chemical treatments. But fleas can be a persistent bunch and very difficult to get rid of.

What other options are available for cat owners who refuse to use chemicals, and particularly, for owners of older cats who may not be able to tolerate them?

Protect Carpets Flooring Bedding And Furniture Against Fleas

Vacuuming and washing hard-surfaced floors often daily during the height of flea season is the least toxic way to control fleas. This will remove most of the adults, and some eggs and larvae. Keep in mind the larvae don’t like light, so vacuum under furniture and around baseboards anywhere near your pet’s favorite places to hang out. Remember to vacuum some natural flea powder into the vacuum bag to kill any fleas in the bag, or immediately remove the bag and discard it in a sealed plastic bag after use. Otherwise, they will just jump out of the bag and back into your home.

Vacuuming alone can’t control severe infestations, and not everyone has the time to clean all the floors daily. That’s when we recommend using one or more of the natural powders available for ridding your home of fleas. The least toxic products are calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth and boric acid products, which work by desiccating the fleas, larvae, pupae, and eggs, which kills them.

With all flea powder products, follow package directions carefully. Natural flea control powders are drying agents, and their dust can irritate nasal passages and lungs if inhaled directly. Avoid overzealous shaking of the container while spreading the powder onto the floor so you don’t create clouds of dust. If you have any questions about the application process with any of our products, please call or email and we will be happy to help.

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How To Prevent Flea Infestation In Kittens

To prevent a repeated flea infestation in kittens,

• Use medicine such as Activyl that will make female fleas sterile and prevent them from laying new eggs.
• Vacuum the carpet two to three times a week to remove eggs and dormant fleas.
• Wash pet blankets weekly in the washing machine and sundry them.
• Spray flea killer insecticide in the house, kennels, and yards.
• Treat the lawn with pesticide if your kitten keeps getting re-infected every time it goes outside.
• Fog the house to prevent flea larvae development.
• Replace carpet and keep your home as dry as possible to make your house less flea-friendly.
• Use a flea comb on all your pets.
• Take all the precautions to ward them off any time of the year, although fleas are more common during summer.
• The most essential element in controlling fleas is the treatment of all susceptible pets, including the mother cat in a house, frequently with the effective product to ensure flea egg production is halted.

Can Cat Fleas Live On Dogs

ByDr. Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCVSpublished 7 December 21

How much do you know about fleas? Can cat fleas live on dogs? Lets take a look…

If you own cats and dogs, you may well have wondered to yourself Can cat fleas live on dogs?. You might also find yourself searching for the best flea treatments for cats or the best flea treatments for dogs. But to add even more complications, there is not just one kind of flea. Common fleas include the cat flea, dog flea, rabbit flea, and hedgehog flea. So, if you spot some crawly critters in your dogs fur, youd probably assume they were dog fleas, right?

Well, as it happens, cat fleas can live on both cats and dogs and are far more common than dog fleas. So, if your dog has fleas, your cat might be the source!

• How do cats get fleas?

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Dos And Don’ts For Effectively Killing Fleas On Cats And Kittens

Do’s

• Start early before the infestation gets worse. This will make elimination of the problem easier and faster.
• Clean the walls and floors of your house daily. Water your yard frequently and mow the lawn regularly. A tidy and neat environment will minimize infestations.
• Bathe and comb your cats regularly. Check for fleas after their bath.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard and in areas where your cats prefer to spend their time.
• Launder your fabrics with hot water and use borax powder for regular cleaning.
• Use only natural methods of flea elimination.
• Consult with your veterinary doctor.

Dont’s

• Never use topical flea treatments that are meant for use on dogs.
• Do not apply topical flea treatments on cats that are pregnant.
• Do not use citrus and essential oil sprays excessively.
• Avoid pennyroyal oil flea treatments.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Warm Water

Giving your flea infested cat, rubdowns with a cloth wet with warm water and natural apple cider vinegar is also an effective and natural treatment for fleas. Apple cider vinegar is also good for a cats urinary tract health so if they begin to lick it off after the washing, you dont need to worry about other adverse health issues. It is perfectly safe.

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Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Another home remedies for fleas on cats without bathing is using Apple cider vinegar. Using apple cider vinegar in a bath or spray-on cats fur is an excellent way to naturally removing allergens, fleas, and yeast that can cause itching and rashes for cats.

To relieve your cat from fleas, mixing the apple cider vinegar with water in a 2:1 ratio, shake well, and add to a spray bottle. Then apply the spray onto your cat or kitten coat. To see your pet relieved from flea infestations, apply the vinegar to your cats fur every after three days.

A Quick Comparison Of Our Favorites Of 2022

Infused with natural insecticides, this product is reviewed as highly effective in killing fleas on contact. Customers also praise its delicious smell, citing that it reminds them of Christmas time! Using multiple natural oils as the active ingredients, there is less risk of your cat having any skin irritation problems from harsh chemicals.

In addition, this product is designed to not interfere with the active ingredients of other flea treatments. It can be used successfully on its own as well as alongside other products for worse infestations. It not only works on fleas but also repels other problematic insects from your cats such as mosquitos and black flies.

Natural Chemistry flea spray is our recommended best overall natural flea treatment and repellent for cats.

This product from Vets Best only contains a small handful of ingredients, all 100% plant-based. It utilizes the natural insecticide properties of both clove and cottonseed oil to rid your cat of fleas and ticks.

It is also a great general shampoo for keeping your cat clean and smelling fresh in conjunction with serving as a flea treatment. Natural soaps help remove dirt and debris while vanilla extract deodorizes.

This bacteria found in soil is toxic is insects but safe for both cats and humans, making it safe and efficient for flea treatment and control.

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Best Area Spray: Virbac Knockout Area Treatment Spray

Chewy

• Kills more than just adult fleas

• Continues killing multiple flea life stages for several months after application

• Gets into hard-to-clean places in the home where fleas hide

• Must remove all pets and people from the home before using

• May need more than one bottle for multiple living spaces

If your cat has fleas, odds are your home also has them so youll need an effective area spray to treat your cats inside environment. The Virbac Knockout spray contains an insect growth regulator to kill not only the adult fleas but the eggs and larvae, too. It lasts in the home for up to four months to prevent future infestations, but is not meant to be applied to a cat or any other pet. Your pets should be removed from the house before spraying this aerosolized treatment spray. Once it dries, your pets can return to their space.

Revolution Plus offers the most complete parasite prevention in a single application. It lasts for one month, contains no pyrethrins, permethrins, or pyrethroids, and contains a small amount of quick-drying, alcohol-based liquid. Your cat will be protected from fleas, ticks, heartworms, ear mites, and intestinal parasites by simply applying Revolution Plus once a month.

If you have live fleas that you need to kill quickly, Comfortis is your best option since it works within 30 minutes, and this chewable tablet will then continue working for up to one month, just like Revolution Plus.

Our Favorite Is Revolution Plus Topical Solution For Cats

Sarah Scott is a fact checker with more than 16 years of experience in researching, writing, and editing digital and print media. She has verified and edited articles on a variety of subjects for The Spruce Pets, including pet behavior, health, and care as well as the latest trends in products for animals in the home.

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

The Spruce Pets / Sabrina Jiang

The best overall flea treatment is Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats, which kills fleas and provides preventative protection. To clean up an infestation, such as fleas spread to your cat’s bed, check out Virbac Knockout Area Treatment Spray.

Fleas can transmit serious diseases to your cats, making preventative treatments a useful tool for cat owners with animals at risk for picking up fleas. Flea treatments for cats, including preventatives, are available in a variety of forms, including as a topical solution and as an oral treatment.

But not all flea treatments work well with cats, especially because they are very sensitive to certain chemicals . Using vetted, cat-specific treatments is key to maintaining you cat’s health while getting rid of their flea problem. We evaluated products for reliability, safety, and ease of use.

Here are the best flea treatments for cats.

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Just Because A Remedy Is Natural Doesnt Mean Its Automatically Safe

Many of the treatments on this list can be harmful if used in the wrong way. Even something as benign as lemon juice can cause significant damage if you accidentally spray it in your cats eye.

Use all of the solutions in this article with extreme caution and, if something seems to be going wrong or if your cat is uncomfortable, stop immediately.

All-natural doesnt automatically mean completely safe, and as an owner your top priority should be your cats safety and well-being.

How To Ease Pet Arthritis

• Massage helps to relieve muscle tension that contributes to pain. Be gentle. Start from the center of the body and work your way outward. If feet are too sensitive, leave them alone.
• Nutritional research suggests that supplements containing chondroitin sulfate and glucosaminoglycans can help inflamed or damaged joints. Check with your vet or health-food store.
• Egg-crate foam and other creature comforts can bring relief to older and arthritic pets. Buy enough foam for two or three beds, cover the foam with washable covers , and put them into the places your pet likes to sleep.
• Find more tips about caring for an elderly pet.
• How old is your dog? Find out your dogs age in dog years with our dog age conversion chart.

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What Are The Best Natural Flea Killers Treatments & Repellents For Pets

Fleas! Everyone hates these blood-sucking parasites. Our war against fleas is epic and ongoing, but each of us must fight our own individual battles. At Only Natural Pet, we want to give you the best weapons: only what works, and only what is safe for you, your pets, and the environment.

“There are three fronts in every battle against fleas: the pet, the home, and the outdoor environment. But before we sound the battle cry, we need to know our enemy. “

How To Use Vinegar As A Homemade Flea Repellent

• Website

The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

If you want a cheap, natural flea repellant to keep fleas off your pet and out of your home but aren’t keen on using chemical-based flea collars and sprays, vinegar is an option. Vinegar is fragrance- and chemical-free, environmentally friendly, and pet and child safe.

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Natural Remedy: Light Traps

These lure and trap fleas until they die or you kill them. Experts think that when a trap with yellow-green light is on for 10 minutes and then flashes off for 5 seconds, it fools fleas into thinking a host — aka your pet — is moving nearby and makes them jump toward it. That could get them off your furniture and carpets.

Best Overall: Revolution Plus Topical Solution For Cats

• Protects from more than just fleas

• Some cats dislike how it feels

• May cause hair loss at application site

With not only safe and effective flea killing power, Revolution plus also kills or prevents heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites. It even kills or protects against ticks, targeting the three most common species, making it a useful tool in your arsenal during tick season.

Revolution Plus has a small amount of alcohol-based liquid which is administered monthly on the back of your cats neck. It isnt oily and doesnt smell. As with any spot-on or topical flea treatment, sometimes hair loss is noted in the area that the product is applied and some cats dont like the feeling of the alcohol on their skin.You also need to let the product dry before petting your cat in that area but aside from those quick, monthly application rules, you shouldnt have to worry about fleas the rest of the time.

Revolution Plus uses two active ingredientsselamectin and sarolanerboth of which are safe for use in cats, and have minimal side effects. When combined, the two antiparasitics are fast-acting, killing fleas within six hours and offering robust protection after 24. Revolution Plus should not be used in cats with nuerologic disorders.

A prescription is needed to purchase Revolution Plus. It is available in three different sizes, with different dosages depending upon your cat’s weight.

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Make/buy An Essential Oil Flea Collar

You could make a natural flea collar from a cotton bandana or collar dosed up with essential oils that are known to have a repelling effect on fleas. A word of warning though, essential oils for fleas on cats have to be handled correctly.

The main essential oils for cats fleas are cedar, lavender, geranium, eucalyptus and citrus based oils. Of course, as we highlighted, some of these oils are dangerous to cats if ingested in sufficient doses but we are not recommending you douse your cat in these essential oils.

Ideally, you want to use a low concentration oil dropped onto a cotton collar avoid contact on the skin or putting the oil anywhere near kittys mouth.

If you want to be properly safe about this and love the idea of a natural flea collar then dont mess with oils simply buy one from a reputable brand. There are plenty online. They all tend to use the same natural oils but are able to boast of 6-8 month protection.

Beware though, these ingredients might be natural but they can be harmful often cats can have an allergic reaction if the ingredients are in the wrong doses for them. The reaction usually takes the form of skin irritation around the collar area that clears after stopping use.

Still, a collar in conjunction with bathing, shampooing and combing should have them fleas on the run!

What Will Kill Fleas Instantly

If you notice fleas on your pet, its natural to want them gone straight away! Different flea treatments work in different ways. Some will kill fleas as they feed, while others will inhibit their life cycle. Other flea preventative treatments will also repel live fleas, helping to keep your four-legged friend safe from infestation. Treatments are available as collars, spot-on treatments, sprays, and tablets.

So, how do you know which flea treatment is the most appropriate treatment for your cat or dog? Well, its best to speak to a veterinarian at your local veterinary clinic for advice on which product will best suit you and your furry family.

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