Flea Control for Senior Cats

Fleas are a necessary evil you have to battle at some point during your pet ownership. If your cat has fleas, immediate treatment is necessary to keep your cat healthy and happy. This is especially true if your cat is a senior. Older cats often have a lower immune system, making them more susceptible to flea infestations and making it harder to get rid of the fleas. Commercial flea treatments are safe for use on some senior cats; however, if your cat has a lowered immune system, knowing some home remedies will help you battle the fleas without toxic chemicals.

Things You'll Need

  • White towel
  • Flea comb
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Cup
  • Liquid soap
  • Toilet
  • Pet shampoo
  • Towel
  • Slicker brush
  • Vacuum
  • Zip-top bag
  • Steam cleaner
  • Steam cleaner solution
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Diatomaceous earth
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
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Instructions

  1. Grooming

    • 1

      Place your cat on a white towel or sheet. The white towel will catch any fleas which fall off during grooming, allowing you to see them and dispose of them properly.

    • 2

      Brush your cat head to toe, including its tail, using a flea comb. Before brushing, coat the comb in a thin layer of petroleum jelly to trap fleas. When the brush becomes full of hair and fleas, use your fingers to pull the hair off the comb and drop it into a cup of water with a squirt of liquid soap. Then apply another application of petroleum jelly before brushing again.

    • 3

      Empty the cup of soapy water with the fleas and hair into the toilet and flush it away.

    • 4

      Bathe your senior cat using pet shampoo and water. Avoid getting soap and water in your cat's eyes and ears. Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Dry your cat with a towel.

    • 5

      Brush your cat a second time using a slicker brush. A slicker brush has thin metal tines that remove loose hair.

    Cleaning Your Home

    • 6

      Vacuum daily. Be sure to vacuum under and behind furniture, as well as on furniture. The vibration of the vacuum encourages flea eggs to hatch, speeding up the life cycle. Empty the contents of your vacuum into a zip-top bag and discard of it outside.

    • 7

      Steam clean your carpet with a commercial cleaning solution, or if you prefer you can substitute white distilled vinegar in place of the cleaning solution, using the same amount of vinegar as you would solution. The amount varies based on your steam cleaner. The heat of the water will kill the fleas and the steam cleaner will agitate and pull up fleas deep in the carpet.

    • 8

      Sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth on your carpet and furniture. Leave it to sit for four to six hours minimum for best results. Vacuum up the powder. Repeat this weekly.

    • 9

      Wash all pet bedding and personal linens in the washing machine and dry in the dryer. The heat and the water will kill any fleas.