Finding the best natural flea treatment for cats, often signals that we are looking for an alternative to traditional flea control methods, which typically use strong chemicals to keep fleas away.
Adverse reactions to chemical products will send us looking for chemical free options. We live in such a chemical world that sometimes it just seems enough is enough and a natural flea control option for our cats is worth trying.
Ingredients To Avoid In Natural flea treatments For cats
Even “natural” ingredients can be problematic when looking at flea control options.
Avoid tea tree oil, garlic and to a lesser extent peppermint essential oil. Examining the ingredients of a flea treatment is the best place to start. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals lists these products as being toxic to cats.
Although tea tree oil is used widely in cosmetics and skin wash for humans, it is best avoided for use with cats.
Also avoid using garlic as flea prevention control. This is an in depth article regarding pets and garlic toxicity.
Peppermint essential oil is also an ingredient to avoid in cat flea treatments, although it is common to see a very small solution of peppermint oil in cat flea products. There is more information here and also below.
10 Natural Flea treatments For cats
Flea Spray For Cats Using Natural Ingredients
We have listed cat flea sprays for cats that fall under the “natural banner”. The ingredients are listed next to the product.
| 1.Vet’s Best Cat Flea & Tick Gentle Mist Spray Active Ingredients: Peppermint Oil 0.20%, Eugenol 0.46%, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 1.78%.Inactive Ingredients: Water, Sodium Benzoate. |
| 2. Wondercide Flea And Tick Spray Active: 4.2% Cedar Oil, 2.2% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, 1.5% Lemongrass Oil, 0.1% Sesame Oil, Inert: 92% (Water, Polyglyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Ethyl Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Vitamin E). |
If applying a cat flea spray is an impossible task on your cat, try this method.
Put on a pair of cotton gloves, spray the flea spray onto the glove and then rub into kitty.
1. Vet’s Best Cat Flea & Tick Gentle Mist Spray
This cat flea spray is a fine misty spray, so perfect for those cats who react badly to being sprayed. The spray kills ticks, fleas and flea eggs on contact and also repels mosquitoes.
Notice the words – on contact. This is a literal interpretation, it kills fleas on contact but won’t stop new fleas from coming for visit. You do need to be conscientious about application of a natural cat flea spray.
Reapply for the cat flea spray for ongoing protection. Wait 2-4 hours before reapplying.
Spray in places your cat likes to recline such as the cat’s bedding, favorite pieces of furniture plus pillows, blankets, cat window perches, rugs and carpets.
2. Wondercide Natural Flea, Tick & Mosquito Spray for Pets & Home with Essential Oils
Shake the flea spray well, before using.
| 1 | Test the spray first for sensitivity. Spray the flea treatment onto a small area at the base of the neck 1 hour before full body application. This is a smart move when introducing any new treatment. Cats, like people, can have sensitivities to plant based ingredients too. |
| 2 | Rub your cat’s coat in the opposite direction of growth, spray, and rub in. Spray the body, the belly, the legs, and tail. A light but thorough misting gives best results. |
| 3 | Spray into your hands, or cotton wool ball or cotton gloves and rub onto your cat’s ears and face. Avoid the area around the mouth, nose, and eyes. |
| 5: | Reapply daily, every 24 hours for ongoing protection. |
| 4 | Add to your regular cleaning routine to freshen the home and treat areas used by pets. Test fabrics like silks and suedes before full use. This is a water-based product with oil. |
If at first, you start to see more fleas after a flea treatment is applied you may think that the treatment is not working and that there are more fleas than ever before.
However what that really means, is that the flea treatment is doing its job and the fleas are rising to the top of the coat as the fleas die
This is a link to a detailed look at flea sprays for cats. The ingredients for each flea spray is listed at the top of the article, so you can at a glance, see which flea sprays fall into the “natural category”.
Diatomaceous Earth Flea Control Using Natural Methods
Diatomaceous Earth is considered by many to be the best natural flea treatment for cats.
Diatomaceous Earth or DE, can be used by itself as natural flea control or can be used with other natural flea control methods, to provide an extra element of defence against fleas.
DE can be used actually on the cat and in the home and around the yard if necessary.
What is diatomaceous earth? Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock, that is composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms.
When ingested by insects, the sharp edges of the diatoms slice into the exoskeletons of fleas and the fleas die within a few days or weeks after exposure.
Because humans lack an outer skeleton, we are not harmed by breathing in diatomaceous earth dust or handling food grade DE.
Some people experience skin irritation when working with large quantities of DE, but this can be avoided by wearing protective clothing and using respiratory protection if necessary.
An exoskeleton (from Greek έξω, éxō “outer” and σκελετός, skeletós “skeleton”) is the external skeleton that supports and protects an animal’s body, in contrast to the internal skeleton (endoskeleton) of, for example, a human. In usage, some of the larger kinds of exoskeletons are known as “shells”.
wikipedia.org
Please note, you will need to use Food Grade DE in your home and on your pets.
HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade
Diatomaceous Earth is quite surprisingly useful. This is a link to a detailed look at Diatomaceous Earth items plus an explanation of DE, how it works, how to apply to the cat and how to use in the home.
Non Toxic Flea Wipes For Natural Flea Control
Non toxic flea wipes are useful for those times when your cat needs some extra protection, right there and then.
Flea wipes are easy to use around the face of the cat, because you can direct the flea wipe, avoiding the eye area.
Note: Non toxic flea wipes for cats have been difficult to source recently. Only one brand of wipes (shown below) that I originally recommended are still available. I will update If I find anything that is worthy of adding – May 2024.
Although the image on the container says DOG wipes, the description states that these wipes are for cats also.
Here are the ingredients of the flea wipes: cellulose, eugenol, peppermint oil, sodium benzoate. Always do a spot test on your cat before using on the whole body.
This is a link to information about non toxic flea wipes for cats.
Neem Oil For Natural Flea Control In Cats
Neem oil comes from the seeds of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, which is native to India.
Neem oil has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years, and is currently widely used throughout southeast Asia.
Neem oil can also be used as a flea repellent. When sprayed on furniture, carpets, and other surfaces where fleas are known to congregate, it will keep fleas away.
Neem oil can be added to pet shampoo to kill fleas and other parasites on contact.
While neem oil is generally safe and non toxic, it should not be used by pregnant or nursing animals, as it may be harmful to their young.
Neem oil should not be used on animals that are already ill or have open wounds, as it may further irritate their skin. Animals that have been treated with neem oil should be kept away from food and water sources until the oil has fully dried.
Ark Naturals Neem Protect Shampoo
This is a link to cat flea products using Neem oil to fight fleas. There is also more background information about Neem oil.
Make A Flea Collar Using Essential Oils
Care needs to be taken when using essential oils in regard to pet products. You have probably already read, in multiple places, that any essential oils used, must be diluted and never used at full strength.
It is an easy procedure to make a flea collar for cats. The beauty of this is that you are always prepared. It is also a budget buster and costs very little once you have purchased the initial ingredients.
Follow the links below to see any parts of the process.
| What You Will Need |
| How To Make The Infusion For An Essential Oil Flea Collar |
| Why Is Alcohol Used In An Essential Oil Flea Collar? |
| Cautions About Using Essential Oils |
This is a link to the entire article about how to make an essential oil flea collar for cats.
Flea Drops Topical Treatment – Natural
By applying cat flea drops, you are effectively stopping the flea life cycle and preventing fleas from reproducing. This helps keep the population of fleas under control, and also prevents your cat from getting any flea borne diseases.
Beloved Pets – Topical Drops Natural Flea Treatment
Topical flea drops as a flea treatment for cats is highly effective. Many of the more popular treatments, that do work particularly well contain chemicals, that not all cats can tolerate. There is no denying their effectiveness and there is a link here to more details and information about cat flea drops – the non natural kind.
Cat Flea Shampoo – Natural Ingredients
A cat flea shampoo is a type of shampoo that is designed to kill and remove fleas from the coat of a cat.
Cat flea shampoos can be purchased over the counter at most pet stores or online.
Cat flea shampoos are often formulated with chemicals that can be harmful to cats if used incorrectly. For this reason, it is important to read the instructions carefully and only use a flea shampoo if it is specifically recommended for cats.
When using a cat flea shampoo, it is important to wet the cat’s coat completely before applying the shampoo.
Avoid getting the shampoo in your cat’s eyes or ears.
Lather the shampoo into the coat and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing it off completely. Repeat the process if necessary.
It is important to note that cat flea shampoos should not be used as a regular bathing routine for cats. Overuse of a cat flea shampoo may irritate the skin. Always observe your cat closely for any changes after using a product that you haven’t used on your cat before.
When looking for cat flea shampoo you will notice that many contain Pyrethrin. A cat flea shampoo that doesn’t contain Pyrethrin is the one shown here.
Wondercide – Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats – with Natural Essential Oils
This is a link to an article about cat flea shampoo.
Cat Flea Collars – Natural Ingredients
A cat flea collar with natural ingredients is a type of flea collar that uses all-natural ingredients as opposed to synthetic chemicals.
Many cat owners prefer to use these types of collars because they believe that the all natural ingredients are safer and more effective than synthetic chemicals.
There are a variety of different all-natural ingredients that can be used in a cat flea collar. Some common ingredients include essential oils, herbs, and spices. Each ingredient has its own unique properties that can help to repel fleas and other pests.
When choosing a cat flea collar with natural ingredients, it is important to consider the specific needs of your cat.
Not all cats will respond well to the same ingredients. You may need to experiment with a few different options before you find the right collar for your pet.
If you are interested in trying a cat flea collar with natural ingredients, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, make sure that the ingredients are safe for cats.
Many of the ingredients used in these collars are safe, but some can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
Second, be sure to read the instructions carefully. Each collar will have its own set of instructions on how to use it properly.
Finally, give your cat time to adjust to the new collar. Some cats may be hesitant to wear a collar that has unfamiliar ingredients.
Be patient and allow your cat to get comfortable with the new collar before expecting results.
Always observe your cat closely when trying any new cat flea collar for irritation in the neck area.
Monipgu – 2 pack Natural Flea prevention For Cats
There are two more plant based flea collars for cats discussed in this article (in addition to flea collars containing chemicals). There’s also info about what to look out for when buying a cat flea collar. These suggestions are the same for a natural product or a synthetically based product.
Cat Flea Pills/Tablets Natural Formula
A cat flea tablet is a type of oral flea control medication that is designed to kill and remove fleas from the body of a cat. Cat flea tablets are available over the counter at most pet stores or online.
Cat flea tablets are a good option for cats that have severe flea infestations or that are resistant to other types of flea control products. They are also a good choice for cats that cannot wear a flea collar.
When using a cat flea product, it is important to consider the specific needs of your cat.
Some cats may respond better to a cat flea shampoo while others may prefer a cat flea tablet.
It is also important to remember that overuse of a cat flea product can be harmful to your cat’s health.
Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about which type of cat flea product is right for your pet.
Flea Away All Natural Supplement for Diverting Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitos for Dogs and Cats
Natural Flea Control In the Yard
When choosing to use a flea control spray in the yard do some basic preparation first.
Clean and tidy and put away items to make it easier to move around.
The product below fits onto a hose for spraying, so is limited to the reach of your hose.
If the yard is cleared somewhat, it will make the job so much easier.
Choose a day when there is no wind or little wind.
Allow to dry thoroughly according to the manufacturers instructions before resuming normal activities.
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
One type of natural treatment is using lemongrass oil to repel and kill adult fleas.
Other types of natural treatments include diatomaceous earth, neem oil, cedar wood shavings, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.
Some people believe that using natural products to control fleas will not be effective, but this is not necessarily the case.
In fact, many natural ingredients have been found to be just as effective as traditional chemical based treatments when it comes to controlling fleas on cats.
For example, diatomaceous earth is a powder made from the fossilized remains of algae that is lethal to fleas when they come into contact with it. It works by slicing through the exoskeleton of the flea and drying them out.
Before using any type of home remedy for your pet’s current infestation, it is important to understand that some cats experience severe reactions to certain types of cat flea products.
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a common problem in cats that is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flea. FAD can result in skin irritation, hair loss, and even scabs on the skin.
Always observe your cat for changes in behavior or skin when using any new product. Am I sounding like a broken record?
Ultimately, the best way to protect your pet from fleas is by using a combination of natural and traditional methods.
By using a variety of treatments, you can help ensure that your pet remains flea-free all year round.
Are you looking for flea treatments that are suitable for kittens? Note: These ideas in the article about kittens are not restricted to “natural only” products.
