The Best Hydrosols to Kill Fleas on Cats

If your cat scratches itself constantly and you find small, fast-moving brown insects on its skin and coat, it has fleas. These small, wingless parasites cause a variety of health issues, from hair loss and skin irritation to anemia or a tapeworm infestation if an infected flea is ingested by your cat. Rid your cat of these parasites by using natural, cat-safe hydrosols directly on your cat's skin and coat.

  1. Identification

    • The distillation process to obtain essential oils also forms hydrosols as a by-product. When plant matter is steamed to distill the essential oils, the oils are removed and the steam then condenses and forms hydrosols. Like essential oils, hydrosols have the same soothing or flea-repelling properties as the plant from which they are derived. Since cats cannot metabolize essential oils, commonly used in natural flea repellents, use hydrosols on them instead. Spray these gentle, natural liquids safely on the coat and skin of your cat to repel fleas and calm any skin irritations from flea bites.

    Natural Flea Sprays

    • Make your own sprays using spicy clove or mint or citrus-based hydrosols to rid your cat of fleas and provide protection against new fleas on the cat's coat. Mix different hydrosols with flea-fighting abilities together to make a safe, deodorizing spray. Create a safe cat flea spray by combining 1 oz. each of lavender, lemon and rosemary hydrosols, according to Kristen Leigh Bell in her book "Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals." Add 1 oz. vodka and 4 oz. distilled water to the mixture and spray it directly on your cat and rub it in the cat's fur or spray the flea solution on a wash cloth and rub it into your cat's coat.

    Flea Bath

    • Add flea-fighting hydrosols to gentle, liquid castile soap to make a natural cat flea shampoo. Many natural flea shampoos contain essential oils, which you cannot safely use on cats since they may cause toxicity. Instead, add a lavender, peppermint, lemongrass or spearmint, which all fight fleas. Washing your cat removes the fleas on the coat, which drown in the soapy water and hydrosol mixture. The hydrosols contain skin-soothing properties that help heal itchy, irritated skin from flea bites. Combine 3/4 cup liquid castile soap with 1/4 cup hydrosol and 1/4 cup distilled water to make a cat flea shampoo, according to Suzanne Catty in her book, "Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy."

    Considerations

    • Cats lack the ability to metabolize essential oils, commonly used in natural flea sprays and shampoos. These oils build up in the cat's system over time and lead to toxicity or death. Plant-based hydrosols have many of the same properties as the essential oils but in a less concentrated form, and you can use these safely on cats. Some hydrosols repel both fleas and ticks, such as lavender and lemongrass. Use these diluted with water or directly on the cat's skin and coat. After treating your cat with hydrosols, monitor the animal for any allergic reactions if you have not used hydrosols before. Vacuum carpeting and wash pet bedding to remove any remaining fleas left around the home after treatment.