The purpose of making an essential oil flea collar for cats is twofold.
Firstly you will avoid using a flea collar that is laced with chemicals. Your cat or someone else’s cat you know, may have had an allergic reaction using a chemically based cat flea collar. This is often the reason that people turn to natural options for treating fleas in cats.
Secondly, the other highly compelling reason is cost. Flea collars can be expensive. You can make a cat flea collar using essential oils for a fraction of the price compared to buying a commercially made collar.
There is initially an outlay for the essential oils. The oils last for a long time and we are talking about using drops so a little goes a long way. Essential oils also have a myriad of other uses in the home so a win win once you have made the initial outlay.
How To Make An Essential Oil Flea Collar For Cats
What You Will Need
- ½ teaspoon alcohol – vodka – unflavored
- 1 drop cedar-wood essential oil
- 1 drop of lavender essential oil
- 1 drop of citronella oil
- 1 drop of thyme essential oil
- 1 teaspoon of vegetable, almond or apricot kernel oil
- A fabric collar
How To Make The Infusion For An Essential Oil Flea Collar
How To Make The Infusion For An Essential Oil Flea Collar
1. Stir all the ingredients together.
2. Soak the collar (see below For Notes About the Collar) in the solution to absorb the oils.
3. Lay The Collar Flat To Dry. When It Is Thoroughly Dry It Is Ready To Use.
4. Re-soak or replace the collar as needed – every two weeks or so or when you notice that the collar is losing some effectiveness.
5. Depending on the size of the collar you may need to add another teaspoon of the carrier oil.
About The Fabric Collar – Make or Buy!
Make A Fabric Flea Collar
If you are crafty you could always make the collar. If you are comfortable using a sewing machine, this is a particularly good video showing how to make a collar.
It has easy to follow directions and gets straight to the point. Yay! The demonstration shows a collar for dogs however the same basic principles apply to making a collar for your cat.
Or Buy A Readymade Collar – Reflective Cat Collar – Set of 6
Buy a soft fabric collar. These ones come in a bulk pack of 6 which is useful because you can make two at the same time. This gives you one as a spare or back up. You would still have spare collars to use as needed. Plus they are inexpensive.
Specifications:
These collars are reflective and come with bells (can be removed if desired). The collar is a breakaway collar. The size is adjustable from 7 – 11 inches. This is a 6 pack – the colors are red, blue, orange, green, purple and pink. The buckle is plastic and the collar is nylon. Suitable for small dogs also. Can be used for indoor cats and outdoor cats.
Another natural option is Neem oil. Neem oil is a natural product and has anti bacterial properties. Neem oil repels a number of insects and bugs.
Why Is Alcohol Used In An Essential Oil Flea Collar?
Alcohol is used because it creates sillage. Sillage is a term most often used when referring to making perfume.
Sillage refers to the degree that a scent will linger in the air. The alcohol helps the odors from the oils to dispel through the air more effectively.
The Carrier Oil
The apricot kernel oil in this recipe is used as a carrier to dilute the essential oils. This means the collar will be soaked evenly. It would be very difficult to apply the essential oils just using the drops without the oil. Almond oil would also be a good choice or a vegetable oil.
Cautions About Using Essential Oils
Do not apply 100% strength essential oil directly on to the fur or skin of your cat as essential oils are highly concentrated.
Unintentional misuse of essential oils can have disastrous consequences. This link to the Pet Poison Helpline outlines the essential oils that cats have trouble metabolizing.
Please observe the cat carefully when the collar is first applied to ensure that there are no allergic reactions or skin and fur disturbances.
What are the best natural choices to control fleas in cats if we don’t want to use chemicals for flea treatment?
What About Garlic?
Fleas do not like garlic so it may be assumed that garlic would be a good inclusion for natural cat flea control, however cats cannot tolerate garlic and it can be fatal.
Although a cat is unlikely to have severe consequences from an unintended lick of a sauce containing garlic, it is still best practice to avoid garlic altogether. Don’t be tempted to use garlic as part of flea control for your cat.
Refresh the essential oil flea collar weekly with a few drops of the essential oils to keep it active and working to control fleas. You may need to do this more often depending on how well the oils are working to contain the fleas.
Just a quick wipe with non toxic cat flea wipes and there will be an extra layer of protection from fleas
The Oils You Will Need
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Specifications:
The bottle is 10ml or 0.33floz. 100% pure Cedarwood oil. It has USDA product certification.
Thyme Essential Oil
Specifications:
The bottle is 10ml or 0.33floz. 100% pure Thyme oil. Made in India, the Thyme leaves are sourced in Spain. It takes about 2 pounds of thyme leaves to produce 10ml of Thyme essential oil. The oil is obtained through steam distillation of thyme leaves and tops. No fillers or additives.
Lavender Essential Oil
Specifications:
The bottle is 10ml.100% pure Lavender Oil. The bottle has a built in dropper. Bottled in the USA but the lavender may be sourced overseas.
Citronella Essential Oil
Specifications:
The bottle is 10ml. The bottle is 10ml.100% pure Citronella Oil. The bottle has a built in dropper. Bottled in the USA but the lavender may be sourced overseas.
Q. When I hit the link for the 6-pack of collars on Amazon, I see that the collars are made of nylon. When I think “fabric,” I think of cotton, linen, etc. Will nylon work for the DIY flea collar?
Thank you for pointing out the cautions. People don’t realize how dangerous essential oils can be for cats.