Natural Home Solutions for Fleas on My Cat

A flea infestation on your cat is unhealthy for your cat, and it is also a health risk for you. Fleas will make your cat sick if they get bad enough, and they will bite human family members as well, causing skin irritation and itching. There are several home remedies to get rid of fleas on your cat.

  1. Vinegar

    • An equal mixture of white vinegar and water is effective for flea removal. The vinegar will discourage fleas from staying on your cat by increasing the acidity of the skin. Spray the vinegar mixture thoroughly all over the cat, making sure it gets through the fur and down to the skin. Use a sponge to apply it to the head and face. Repeat this treatment at least once a week until the fleas are under control. Another alternative is to use a commercial vinegar douche mixture rather than mixing your own.

    Dawn Dish Soap

    • Dawn dish soap works very well at killing fleas. Other dish soaps may work too, but Dawn works best in most cases. Wet the cat down with warm water, and massage a bit of dish soap into its head to keep the fleas from running into the ears. Continue massaging the dish soap into the rest of the cat's body, being careful to cover every part of the cat. Let the soap sit on the cat for as long as possible before adding warm water to make more suds. Once you have gotten the cat sudsy, rinse the dish soap off thoroughly. Repeat the bathing once a week, while also treating your house until all fleas are gone.

    Homemade Flea Spray

    • To make a homemade flea-elimination spray to use on your cat, mix together 20 ounces of water, two drops of lavender essential oil and two drops of cedar wood essential oil. Mix them together gently, and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the cat thoroughly with the mixture, using a sponge or your hand to apply it to the face and head. Repeat this step daily until the fleas are gone. This spray will also work well on carpets and furniture, but test the areas for colorfastness before using on the entire location.

    Lemon Spray

    • Another spray that will work well in repelling fleas is made from fresh lemons. Cut up five or six lemons and add them to a quart of boiling water. Allow them to boil on high for five to 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let it sit overnight. Once it has had time to cool and strengthen, strain the liquid to remove the lemons, and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray this all over your cat every few days until the fleas are under control.