Holistic Treatment for Fleas in Cats

Cats can become infested with fleas by being outdoors in areas where fleas live and by coming into contact with other infested animals. While many flea control products are available at pet and general stores, such products contain strong chemicals. Individuals who prefer to treat flea infestations holistically, however, will find that many ways exist of killing fleas without the use of potentially harmful chemicals.

  1. Grooming Your Cat

    • Combing through a cat's fur daily with a flea comb, which can be purchased at a pet supply store, can help you get rid of significant numbers of fleas and their eggs. Bathing, while often a major nuisance for cat owners, also goes a long way. While some shampoos are specially formulated to kill fleas, you can formulate your own shampoo using natural ingredients such as oatmeal, lavender and eucalyptus. A thorough lather and rinse will kill and drown fleas hiding out in a pet's coat.

    Sanitizing the Home

    • Fleas jump off pets and land in your carpets, bedding and furniture, where they lay eggs and multiply. Vacuuming your home and washing bedding frequently can help keep the flea population in your home down. Cat beds that are small enough to fit into the washer and dryer should be put through the wash.

    Killing Fleas on Your Cat

    • Diatomaceous is a natural product that is harmless to humans and pets. It is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny unicellular plants. This substance penetrates fleas' protective outer covering, leading to their death. DE should be applied in areas where fleas seem to be most at home, such as on pet bedding and couches. Additionally, DE can be applied directly to your cat's fur to help kill any remaining fleas and flea eggs on the animal.

    Controlling Fleas Outdoors

    • If your cat goes outdoors, pay attention to reducing the flea population outside your home so that Fluffy doesn't continually bring in new fleas. Outdoors, kill fleas by using nematodes, which are microscopic worms that eat flea larvae. Place the nematodes in shady spots with moisture, because they can't survive under the sun's direct rays.

    Repelling Fleas From Cats

    • Adding certain ingredients to a cat's diet can make him less palatable to fleas. Fleas particularly hate the flavors of garlic and yeast. While cats should never eat raw garlic, very small amounts of garlic powder are safe. Earth Easy recommends adding 1 tsp. of yeast to a cat's food, and the powdered garlic equivalent of 1 clove of garlic. Vitamin B1 and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar are also thought to help repel fleas, according to the Earth Easy website. Consult a veterinarian for the appropriate dosage of B1. One tsp. of vinegar can be added daily to cats' water bowls, states the Earth Easy site. Fatty acid supplements, probiotics and digestive enzymes can also make your cat less tasty to the blood sucking creatures, according to Dr. Tracy Lord, a veterinarian.