numerous of the flea treatments available today include toxic chemicals. even when used according to the manufacturer’s directions, these products can be toxic for animals and humans. Thankfully, there are safer, natural ways to control fleas. They may require a bit much more effort on your part, but isn’t that effort worth it if it’s safer for you and your cat?
Diet
Many cat guardians are not aware that feeding a high quality, varied diet can help avoid fleas. A stronger diet leads to a stronger immune system, which makes your cat much more resistant to fleas. cat guardians who feed raw or homemade diets have reported that their cats no longer have flea problems.
Combing and Bathing
Use a good flea comb with firmly spaced teeth. Comb your cat daily during flea season, and drop any fleas you find into a bowl of soapy water to kill them. Cats tend to not like to be bathed, although bathing can help get rid of fleas, because fleas dislike warm soapy water. If you are going to bathe your cat, make sure you use a mild shampoo that is approved for use in cats. never use human shampoos on cats.
Vacuuming
Vacuum thoroughly, including on and under furniture and in crevices and near baseboards. Discard the vacuum bag right away after vacuuming to avoid fleas and eggs from reinfesting your home. severe infestations may require professional steam cleaning.
Flea Traps
You can trap fleas by placing a dish of soapy water under a night light. Fleas are attracted to warm light and will drown in the soapy water. This works for adult fleas only, but can eventually decrease the flea population. Fleas already on your cat aren’t likely to be attracted to the traps, so you will still need to comb them. electric or plug-in flea traps can also be effective.
Maintain outdoor Areas
Keep your turf mowed and keep shrubbery trimmed short in areas where your animals spend time. This will increase sunlight and dryness, which will help decrease the flea problem. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in your yard to cut down on the flea population. Diatomaceous earth also makes a terrific natural pantry bug killer; it works for all insects. It’s said to be safe around pets, but don’t sprinkle it directly on your cat. Be sure to use “food grade” diatomaceous earth only.
Natural Flea control Products
There are various natural flea control products on the market, but numerous of them include vital oils. vital oil safety for cats is a hotly debated topic, and even holistic veterinarians are divided on whether they’re safe for cats or not. I choose to err on the side of caution and don’t recommend the use of any vital oils for cats. Some producers of vital oils claim that their oils are pure and safe to use around cats, but quite frankly, I wouldn’t take any chances on statements of that nature unless they’re backed up by research by an independent toxicologist.
The national resource defense Council’s green Paws site has a extensive directory of flea and tick products, including natural products, and lists ingredients and toxicity warnings.
A word on using garlic to control fleas
While it is true that fleas dislike the taste of garlic, garlic is toxic to cats. Garlic is a member of the Allium family. other species in the Allium family include onions, shallots, leeks, and chives. Cats cannot digest these plants as well as humans. Ingestion of garlic or onions causes hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by the bursting of red blood cells circulating through your cat’s body. Hemolytic anemia can be fatal.
Veterinarians aren’t sure exactly how much garlic will result in toxicity. Studies have shown that ingestion of as little as 5 g/kg of onions in cats has resulted in clinically essential hematologic changes. Garlic is considerably much more concentrated than an onion, so it’s likely that an even smaller ingested amount – as little as one clove of garlic – will likely result in toxicosis.
Ingrid King
Table of Contents
Diet
Combing and Bathing
Vacuuming
Flea Traps
Maintain outdoor Areas
Natural Flea control Products
A word on using garlic to control fleas
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21 comments on Natural, Non-Toxic Flea Control
joanne loliscio graham says:
August 25, 2020 at 11:46 am
I am going out if my mind trying to rid our home of the fleas. I groom my rag beauties each day and have treated them with every remedy from frontline, advantage to revolution. I have the light by the water. I spread salt on the floors and then vacuumed – we are all still suffering. I think I got it but I no got it!!. help also diamatacious earth and lemons – these suckers are hardy.
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Agatha says:
October 2, 2017 at 4:56 am
Such a good and timenullnull