If you have a cat, chances are you’ve experienced the frustration of trying to get rid of fleas. It’s one of those things that can become a never-ending cycle: You think you got rid of all the fleas in your house and then they come back again.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your cat free from these tiny pests, here are 12 natural remedies that will help repel fleas and kill them off naturally:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Fleas can be a common problem for cats, but there are many effective ways to get rid of them. |
| Natural remedies, such as essential oils and diatomaceous earth, can be effective in eliminating fleas on cats. |
| Regular grooming and cleaning of bedding and carpets can help prevent future flea infestations. |
| Commercial flea treatments, such as spot-on treatments and oral medications, can also be effective in preventing and treating flea infestations. |
| If you suspect your cat has fleas, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent the infestation from spreading to other pets and areas of your home. |
Try A Flea Comb
Flea combs are an excellent way to remove fleas from your cat’s fur, as they can effectively separate the hair and pull out any unwanted pests.
Simply run the fine-toothed comb through your pet’s fur, being careful not to break off any clumps of dead skin or matted fur along with it. If you notice that there are still some fleas on your pet’s body after using the flea comb, move onto step two:
Are fleas taking over your home? Don’t worry, we have some easy tips to help you get rid of fleas in the house and make your home a flea-free zone once again!
Give Your Cat A Bath With Dish Soap
Another way to get rid of fleas is by giving your cat a bath with dish soap and water. You can use a flea comb to remove fleas while they are still in the tub, but make sure not to use shampoo as it will dry out their skin.
To be sure you’ve gotten all the dead fleas and eggs, use a flea comb on your cat after their bath for about 20 minutes.
You can also bathe your cat with apple cider vinegar instead of regular dish soap as it will kill both live and dead ticks on contact.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effective at killing fleas | Can be harsh on cat’s skin |
| Inexpensive and easily accessible | May cause dryness or irritation |
| Quick and easy to do at home | May not fully eliminate all fleas |
| May provide immediate relief for cat | Can be difficult to rinse out completely |
Use Lavender Oil To Repel Fleas
Lavender oil has been shown to be effective against fleas. If your cat doesn’t mind it, try applying some lavender essential oils on their fur for about 15 minutes, then rinse off and repeat daily for two weeks.
Be careful not to get any of the oil in your cat’s eyes or mouth because it may cause irritation if applied directly! If you don’t have any lavender essential oils, try rubbing some lemon juice into their fur instead.
Other natural flea repellents include: cedar wood chips (which can be placed around the house), garlic sprays (make sure you don’t apply too much as this can cause serious respiratory issues), eucalyptus oil (apply sparingly), and sesame seeds (crush them into powder form).
Use Geranium Oil To Kill Fleas
One of the best ways to repel fleas from your cat is with geranium oil. This natural substance has been proven to be safe and effective for cats, so it’s a great choice for any pet parent who wants to keep their kitty free from pesky fleas!
How do you use geranium oil? You can purchase some at a local store or online and simply rub it into your cat’s fur.
Alternatively, you can mix 10 drops of geranium oil with 1/2 ounce of vegetable oil (olive or almond work well) in a small spray bottle.
Then just spritz on any areas where your cat tends to spend time—like bedding or furniture and let dry completely before letting them back into the room again.
Fleas aren’t just a problem for dogs, they can also infest cats. If you’re struggling with a flea problem on your feline friend, check out this vet-approved guide on getting rid of fleas on a dog for some helpful tips and tricks.
Try Essential Oils Mixed In Your Cat’s Shampoo
Essential oils can be used to repel fleas. Some good choices include lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary oils. Mix the essential oils into a small amount of shampoo and massage it into your cat’s coat.
Avoid getting any shampoo in your cat’s eyes or mouth. Rinse thoroughly afterwards using clean water from a bowl or cup rather than the bathtub faucet because you don’t want to risk any traces of chemicals getting into the tub pipes!
Give Your Cat A Citrus Bath
To give your cat a citrus bath, add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil to the bath water. The citric acid in citrus oils will help kill fleas and prevent them from coming back. Don’t use citrus oil on cats that are allergic to citrus, though!
You can also give your cat a homemade flea comb treatment by brushing the fur with an organic bristle brush (or even just a toothbrush). This should remove many dead fleas and eggs, which will keep some of your pet’s stress at bay.
Carpets can be a breeding ground for fleas, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Follow our easy steps to get rid of fleas in carpet and keep your home free from these pesky critters.
Use Neem Oil For Cats
Neem oil is an insecticide that can be used to repel fleas, kill fleas, treat a flea infestation, and treat flea bites. To use neem oil for cats:
Apply the oil directly to the skin. Be sure not to get it in your cat’s eyes or mouth—if you do, wash it off immediately with water. Do not apply too much at once; start with a small amount and work up from there if necessary.
Neem oil may stain your cat’s fur. If this happens, brush out any stained areas gently so they don’t rub off on other parts of its coat as well or irritate its skin
Make A Natural Flea Remedy For Cats With Diatomaceous Earth (De)
You can also use diatomaceous earth, which is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms and contains sharp edges that cut through your cat’s fleas’ exoskeleton.
This causes them to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous earth works best when it’s used in conjunction with other methods, such as a flea comb or a natural shampoo for cats (see below).
Diatomaceous earth is safe for both cats and humans, but you’ll want to make sure you’re using food-grade DE rather than pool grade DE because it has been treated with chemicals that are not safe for animals or humans—especially if they get into their mouths!
Prefer a natural approach to flea control? We’ve got some helpful tips for getting rid of fleas naturally on your cat. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a happy, healthy pet!
Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Cats To Repel And Kill Fleas.
Natural flea repellents are safe, effective and easy to use. You can use apple cider vinegar as a shampoo for your cat or dilute it in water to create a spray that will kill any fleas on their fur and repel new ones.
One of the most popular natural flea repellents is apple cider vinegar! That’s right: ACV is an excellent option for repelling and killing fleas on cats.
There are several ways in which you can use ACV to get rid of unwanted pests:
Use Lemon Juice To Get Rid Of Fleas
The easiest way to use lemon juice is to mix it with water and then spray the mixture on your cat. Start by diluting 1 part lemon juice with 10 parts water, then apply the solution using a spray bottle.
Baking Soda And Salt Dehydrate Fleas And Can Help You Kill Them Off Naturally
Baking soda and salt are both great natural flea repellents, but they can also help you kill off the ones that are already hanging out on your cat.
Mix 1 cup of white baking soda with 1 cup of table salt and then rub it into your cat’s fur. Leave this mixture on for 30 minutes before washing off with warm water. Repeat this process once a week until all signs of fleas are gone from your pet.
Give Your Cat Garlic, But Only In Small Doses
Garlic is an all-natural flea repellent that can be given to your cat in small doses. Make sure you never give garlic to cats that are under 12 weeks old, as it can cause them to get heartworms.
Garlic has been used for centuries as both a medicine and food item by various cultures around the world; its benefits for humans are well documented, but many don’t realize that it also works wonders on fleas.
The active ingredient in garlic is sulfur dioxide, which gives off a strong smell that fleas dislike. When you feed your cat some raw garlic, they will eat up their meal but also get rid of any annoying pests at the same time!
However, while this seems like a great option at first glance (no chemicals or harsh remedies necessary), there are several things to consider before feeding your kitty large quantities of garlic:
Garlic will make any cat vomit if they eat too much of it at once—and since cats lick themselves all over every day while grooming themselves with their tongues (which means licking the fur right after eating a bunch of raw garlic), this means vomiting more often than usual!
If possible I would avoid giving large amounts of raw garlic altogether just so there isn’t too much risk involved here—you want them healthy after all…
Is your cat scratching more than usual? It could be a sign of a flea infestation. Follow our guide on getting rid of fleas on cats fast for effective solutions to this common problem.
Conclusion
I am sure that you have learned a lot from this article and it will help you deal with fleas in a more natural way. I hope that you can use some of these tips to get rid of fleas on your cat today!
Further Reading
Home Remedies for Fleas on Cats: This article provides a list of home remedies to get rid of fleas on cats, including natural remedies, grooming tips, and more.
Homemade Flea Repellent: Learn how to make your own flea repellent using natural ingredients like vinegar and essential oils with this helpful guide.
Five Ways to Get Rid of Cat Fleas Naturally: This article offers five natural ways to get rid of fleas on cats, including vacuuming, washing bedding, and using diatomaceous earth.
FAQs
What are fleas?
Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed off the blood of animals and humans. They can cause itching, irritation, and even transmit diseases.
How do cats get fleas?
Cats can get fleas from other animals, such as dogs or wild animals, or from infested areas like carpets and bedding.
What are the signs that my cat has fleas?
Signs that your cat has fleas include excessive grooming, scratching, biting, and hair loss, as well as the presence of fleas or flea dirt on their fur.
Can I use home remedies to get rid of fleas on my cat?
Yes, there are several home remedies that can be effective in getting rid of fleas on cats, including natural flea repellents, grooming tips, and more.
How can I prevent my cat from getting fleas in the first place?
To prevent your cat from getting fleas, make sure to keep them indoors, use flea preventative treatments, regularly groom and inspect their fur, and keep your home clean and free of fleas.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
