Cats have soft, warm fur that is perfect for fleas. Flea problems have been a constant pain in your dog and cat’s life. There are many treatments available today, but dogs and cats have different genetic makeup, and there are ingredients toxic to cats but are great for dogs and vice versa. That is why cat owners choose to go the natural way instead of treating their pets with chemicals. And we have the right solution on how to get rid of fleas on cats naturally.
Quick Overview
- Signs that your cat has fleas
- Getting rid of fleas on cats naturally
- The myth regarding Apple Cider Vinegar on Cat Fleas
- Why lavender is a no-no for Cats
- Lemons
- Dishwashing soap
- Diatomic earth
- Flea combs
- Removing fleas in your house
Signs that your cat has fleas
Although getting fleas is normal for cats, it is still a cause for panic, especially when you see that your cats are becoming irritable and sad. Here are the signs that your cat has fleas.
Excessive Scratching
Your furry friend loves to scratch and lick their body. But not so much that they gash every ten seconds or so. Sometimes, scratches are even accompanying by a whine. It is a sign that your cat is uncomfortable.
Scabs and red, angry welts
Due to excessive scratching, you will notice that there are scabs and red welts around your cat’s body. Wounds and scabs form as a result of excessing scratching.
Loss of Appetite
Another sign that your cat is suffering from fleas is its loss of appetite. Fleas multiply fast. And feeding off of your cat is their favorite hobby, not to mention their source of food. And this leads to dehydration and loss of appetite. Dehydration and anemia are the reason why kittens die.
Salt and Pepper specks
If you notice the black and white dots in your cat’s favorite spot, sleeping basket, or on your couch, your cats have fleas. The black dots are flea poop, and the white ones are flea eggs.
Getting rid of fleas on cats naturally
Getting rid of fleas is a bit difficult as they multiply rapidly. They have excellent jumping skills and can survive on your couch, the carpet, and your cat’s beddings. To get rid of fleas, you need to get rid of them on the infected areas as well and not just in your cat’s fur. Otherwise, they will just come back. But before we remove them from the house, let’s remove them from the cat first.
The myth regarding Apple Cider Vinegar on Cat Fleas
There are many articles regarding apple cider vinegar and how it acts as a flea repellent. The truth is, fleas hate the smell of apple cider vinegar, but so are cats. It is effective against fleas, but some cats are allergic to apple cider vinegar and can cause vomiting. Ask your veterinarian about it before using apple cider vinegar. And don’t worry, we still have a few tricks to get rid of fleas on cats naturally.
Why lavender is a no-no for Cats
Lavender is also a great ingredient to repel fleas. However, you may be endangering your cat’s life by using it as a natural remedy. Lavender has Linalool that is toxic to cats. If ingested in large amounts, your cats may die. Sure, you can get rid of fleas, but you have unintentionally harmed your cat as well. However, you can plant lavender in your garden to keep the fleas out. It also protects you from other pests.
Lemons
Lemons are known to have plenty of citric acid in them, and fleas do not like citric acid. It will not kill fleas, but it helps get rid of fleas in cats naturally. Create a flea spray by mixing water and lemon. Boil for a few minutes to infuse the lemon in the water. For best results, leave the lemon slices in the water overnight.
Dishwashing soap
When rinsing your cat, use dishwashing soap instead of cat shampoo. Dishwashing soap damages the shell of fleas. And since they cannot swim, fleas will drown when putting underwater pressure. While rinsing, use a flea comb to remove fleas from your cat. While doing this, make sure that you are away from the house as fleas can jump onto their next target if that is the case.
Diatomic earth
Diatomic earth is a finely ground substance from fossils of aquatic species called diatoms. It damages the exoskeleton of fleas and bedbugs since it is sharp for them. Fleas that crawl into the diatomic earth will die of dehydration. Before using, make sure that the diatomic earth you are using is food grade. Sprinkle the diatomic earth near your cat’s beddings where fleas tend to gather.
Flea combs
You can effectively remove fleas from your pets naturally without harming them using flea combs. Combine with other treatments like lemons and dishwashing soaps, using flea combs will help you get rid of fleas on cats naturally. You can use flea combs while shampooing your cats, or you can dip into a lemon water solution and comb your cats with it. Flea combs are also cheap and have no chemicals, so it is as natural as you can get. Just make sure that you are combing the fleas outside your house so fleas cannot jump out of your cat and straight to your carpet.
Removing fleas in your house
Fleas can multiply rapidly in and out of your pets. If they are not munching on your cat, they are probably in your couch, carpet, or your cat bedding. Sprinkle diatomic earth and leave it for a day or two. Spray lemon water to infected areas and vacuum the infected area every other day to remove lingering fleas. Wash your cat’s bedding. Repeat the process until all fleas are no longer visible.
There are many natural ingredients that we can use to get rid of fleas, but keep in mind that dogs and cats have different genetic makeup, and we cannot use the same on both of them. One solution that is effective to one can be damaging to the other. Ask your veterinarian if you are unsure of what to use.
