Natural Flea and Ear Mite Control for Cats

Indoors

• Keeping your cat indoors is the single most effective preventative for parasites. Cats catch fleas and ear mites from other animals and from locations and items infected animals have been in contact with.

Natural Flea Powder

• You can make natural flea powder with cornstarch and essential oils. The most effective insecticidal oils are eucalyptus, citronella, and cedar. Peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass, and frankincense also have repellent effects. Use five to ten drops of oil per cup of cornstarch. Shake the powder onto your pet and your pet's bedding and meal areas approximately every three days. Many over-the-counter natural, plant-based flea sprays and shampoos are also available.

Removing Fleas

• Remove fleas with a flea or headlice comb. Rub a few drops of insecticidal essential oil or eucalyptus castile soap onto the comb for extra effectiveness. Clean the comb in a dish of water to prevent fleas from returning to your pet, and flush the fleas and water down the toilet when you are finished.

Removing Mites

• Remove ear mites with warm vegetable or mineral oil (do not put essential oils inside your cat's ears), or very strong, plain green tea. Test on the inside of your wrist--it should be body temperature. Use a dropper, squeeze bottle, or irrigating syringe to apply the oil or tea inside your cat's ear, then gently massage each ear for a few seconds. Your cat will shake out the oil and any wax, dirt, or mites. Clean residue from the outer ear with a cotton ball.

Food Supplements

• A teaspoon of brewer's yeast (also called nutritional yeast) mixed into your cat's food every day may repel fleas and mites. This yeast tastes meaty, so most pets do not object but, if your cat does, try mixing it into canned food. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per quart of drinking water once or twice a week can also repel parasites.

Cleaning Your Home

• Fleas and mites hide and lay eggs in carpets, furniture, and bedding and reinfect your pets. Sprinkle carpets and upholstery with borax once per week. Leave it in place for about an hour, then vacuum up. Put salt and a few drops of insecticidal essential oil in your vacuum cleaner bag. Wash bedding in warm water with borax and eucalyptus castile soap, and dry on medium to high heat.

Warnings

• Cats can be fatally poisoned by common natural treatments, including garlic, tea tree oil, and pyrethrins. Monitor your cat for allergic reactions to essential oils. Essential oils must be mixed with a powder, water, or carrier oil, never used full strength. Do not treat kittens under 12 weeks of age without consulting a veterinary provider. When treating your cat for ear mites, be sure it is a mite infection and not something more serious. If there is secondary infection (pus, fever, severe inflammation, vomiting or diarrhea), or signs of neurological disorder such as drooling, turning in circles, or loss of balance, consult a veterinarian.