Felines and fleas

Flea Shampoo

Cat parasites may be internal and external. Fleas are some of the most common external parasites that will cause extreme discomfort. Fleas have a lot of remedies, but most traditional methods involve treating your pet with chemicals and these may also have side effects. The herbal cat flea treatment is an efficient approach to eliminating fleas without side effects. The herbal treatment involves removing the fleas and cleansing the cat’s organism as well.

Natural Flea Powder

Instead of using flea sprays, collars and powders that are high in chemicals that can cause irritation in your cat, you may opt for natural flea powders or collars. The natural compounds such as citrus oil or mineral salts will eliminate the fleas and may also be applied to the cat’s bedding or the carpets, so that a new infestation with fleas will be less likely.

You should check with your vet prior to administering these herbal powders, as your cat may be allergic to these compounds.

Natural Tinctures

There are also a few tinctures that may be applied on the cat’s coat that will eliminate the fleas. Get tinctures made of eucalyptus, citronella, yarrow or sage. You can get these tinctures from pet health stores.

You can apply a few drops on the cat’s coat. Don’t apply undiluted tinctures on the cat’s skin as these may irritate the skin; also, the cat may lick the tinctures and this may cause an upset stomach and vomiting or diarrhea.

You may apply a few drops of tincture on your pet’s collar and the strong smell will keep the fleas away. However, this may only work as a preventive measure in preventing the infestation with fleas.

You may dilute 3 to 5 drops of the above mentioned in your pet’s water and this will have a cleaning effect, strengthening your pet’s immune system and reducing the swelling and irritation.

Orange oil may also be effective in removing fleas and reducing irritation caused by fleas. Get ½ tbsp orange oil and mix it with the shampoo of your pet. Gently apply the shampoo and rinse.

Natural Anti Flea Shampoos

Instead of getting tinctures, you may opt for natural anti flea shampoos. These may contain a number of ingredients, including citronella extracts, eucalyptus, mint, yarrow or sage.

You should bathe your cat at least 2 times per week.

You should know that the flea treatment may take a long time, as the fleas will leave behind eggs and these will develop, occurring even after you think you’ve eliminate all fleas.

Natural Flea Remedies that Don’t Work

There are a few remedies that are often suggested to remove fleas from the cat including garlic, brewer’s yeast or the B vitamins. These have not proven to be effective in removing fleas.

It is important to note that garlic is toxic for cats and applying this on the pet’s coat may cause poisoning, as the cat can lick and chew the coat and ingest garlic.

Cat flea treatment can be safe and effective using natural methods. Conventional flea treatments are much less toxic than what they used to be, and most healthy cats can safely tolerate these treatments. However, many owners are concerned about the long-term effects of toxic flea medication on their cats. Here's some more information about natural cat flea treatment.

Remember that "Natural" Doesn't Always Mean "Safe"

Many people believe that just because a medication is "natural" means it must be safe. This isn't necessarily so. The conventional medications used to treat cat fleas are often sythesized from natural ingredients. It's possible to overdose on natural treatments, and it's certainly conceivable that a natural flea treatment might have unpleasant, even deadly, side effects.

Pennyroyal used to be recommended to treat cat flea infestation; now, it's known that this herb is a liver toxin and can be fatal to cats. Citrus oil was once used; but it, too, is potentially fatal.

Don't Forget To Treat Your Home

Your cat's living environment will also need to be treated for flea infestation. No cat flea treatment can be effective if your cat's environment still contains fleas; he'll just become infested over and over again! Treat carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture, as well as any other pets in the home. Your yard may also have to be treated for flea infestation.

Treating your cat's living environment is not only key to natural flea treatment, but can be of immense benefit to the prevention of flea infestation.
Choose A Natural Flea Shampoo

Giving your cat a regular bath with flea shampoo can go a long way toward the treatment of fleas. You'll want to bathe your cat every seven to ten days, as the flea life cycle lasts about two weeks, and new fleas are hatched every three days or so.

Choose a cat flea shampoo with an all-natural ingredient, such as Neem oil or d-limonene, that is both safe for use on cats and effective for the control of fleas. If all else fails, bathe your cat with Dawn dishwashing liquid; this is safe, gentle, and effective against fleas.

Make Your Own Herbal Flea Powder

You can purchase an herbal flea powder to help control flea infestation, or you can make your own at home. Combine one part each of as many of these powdered herbs as you can get your hands on:

• Eucalyptus
  
• Rosemary
  
• Fennel
  
• Wormwood
  
• Yellow dock
  
• Rue

Apply the herbal flea treatment to your cat's fur sparingly; use your palm or a small comb to brush it in. Try to work the powder into the base of your cat's hairs, and apply as often as necessary; if your cat's flea infestation is severe, you can apply this herbal powder several times weekly.

Supplement Your Cat's Diet

Brewer's yeast and garlic are said to be effective dietary aids for cat flea treatment. Both of these supplements can be purchased in tablet or powder form and crumbled or sprinkled over your cat's food. They work from the inside out to repel fleas; some vets believe they make your cat's blood unappealing to the parasites.


Other Cat info here: http://www.vetinfo.com/catindex.html