Mary Allen
Cat fleas are a nuisance, but luckily they can be combated well. In addition to chemical anti-flea agents, home remedies are also used in the fight against fleas. In this article, we’ll tell you which home remedies help against cat fleas.
Home Remedies for Cat Fleas in Brief
- Fleas make cats itchy. Increased scratching and bald spots are the first signs of a flea infestation;
- The infestation can be recognized quickly with a flea comb. However, combing is not enough to get rid of the fleas;
- Instead of chemical agents, you can make flea sprays yourself from lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or coconut oil. Herbs are also suitable for combating cat fleas;
- Some supposed home remedies for fleas are toxic to cats. These include tea tree oil and harsh detergents such as dish soap.
Cat Fleas: These Home Remedies Will Help
Flea bites cause severe itching in cats. Increased scratching up to nibbling and the development of bald spots are the result. In addition to chemical anti-flea agents such as spot-on products, flea collars, and sprays, home remedies can also be effective against fleas in cats.
Lemon Against Fleas: Make Your Own Flea Spray
To combat cat fleas, you can mix a natural flea spray from home remedies yourself. For this, you need fresh lemon or lemon juice and water.
The lemon juice is boiled in hot water. Optionally, a sprig of rosemary can also be added. Let the mixture cook for about 15 to 20 minutes and then let it cool down. Let the mixture steep a little, then strain it through a sieve.
For an optimal dosage, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the flea spray on furniture, clothing, and the cat’s fur, preferably on the neck.
Caution: Be very careful when spraying cats as some cats are sensitive to the smell of lemon. Let your cat sniff the spray before using it. If the house tiger reacts reluctantly or even fearfully to the smell, use the spray on the fur.
Vinegar as a Natural Home Remedy for Cat Fleas
Vinegar works in a similar way to lemon against fleas in cats. To make a flea spray quickly, two-thirds of apple cider vinegar and one-third of water are mixed thoroughly and poured into a spray bottle. The finished spray can easily be sprayed onto objects, clothing, furniture, and the cat’s fur. As with lemon juice, however, the first thing you should do with vinegar is to check how your cat reacts to the smell.
Coconut Oil: Home Remedies for Cat Fleas
Coconut oil is a safe home remedy for cat fleas. The oil contains lauric acid, which is said to deter fleas. For effective protection, a drop of coconut oil is spread over the hands and then massaged into the cat’s fur and skin.
Coconut oil can also be added to the feed in small quantities to increase the effect. Coconut oil should, however, be used sparingly so that there are no digestive problems or other unpleasant side effects.
Natural Herbs as Home Remedies for Flea Infestations in Cats
Another home remedy for fleas is herbs and spices. Oregano, rosemary, and caraway seeds in particular are considered effective home remedies in the fight against the parasites. For use, the herbs and spices can be finely ground and mixed with oil or water. The mixture can then be used as a natural flea spray.
Some cat owners recommend adding caraway seeds to their cat’s food to make the cat unattractive to fleas. Here, however, you have to check whether the cat tastes the food despite the spice and whether the velvet paw can tolerate it.
Caution: These Home Remedies are Toxic to Cats
In addition to the home remedies mentioned, there are many instructions and recipes for making supposedly natural flea sprays on the Internet. However, when using them, keep in mind that some home remedies are toxic to cats.
Since our house tigers do a lot of grooming and brush their fur for hours every day, all substances that are sprayed on the fur are inevitably consumed by the cat. Avoid using flea products, which can endanger the health of the cat.
Tea Tree Oil is Not Good as a Home Remedy for Cats
Tea tree oil is effective against fleas, but unfortunately, it is toxic to cats. The reason for this is the essential oils it contains, which cats cannot break down. They remain in the cat’s body and can cause symptoms of intoxication such as weakness, tremors, diarrhea, and vomiting. Tea tree oil is therefore not suitable as a home remedy for fleas.
Do Not Use Flea Sprays with Detergent
Many homemade flea spray recipes include dish soap. However, like all cleaning agents, dish soap can cause symptoms of poisoning in cats. Ideally, do without the cleaning agent in your flea spray and use other home remedies or flea remedies if you have a flea infestation.
Home Remedies for Cat Fleas are Not Always Sufficient
Caution should be exercised in the natural fight against cat fleas. Most home remedies have not been scientifically proven to work and are therefore based on the experience of cat owners. Home remedies are usually only useful for a slight flea infestation or to prevent cat fleas.
In the case of a stronger infestation, there is often no way around flea products from the veterinarian or the pharmacy – not only to protect the cat, but also humans.