Disclaimer: Please note I am not a veterinarian. Please consult with a veterinarian before using the advice provided in this article.

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Disclaimer: I have no formal training in nutrition, essential oils, or toxin free living. I am just a self taught mum who wants the best for her children and to share what works for my family, and what does not! Just because it works for my family it does not mean that it will work for you. Always consult with a professional if you are ever in doubt concerning the content written on my website. To read my full disclaimer, please see: https://thegreencrunchymother.home.blog/disclaimer/

Last summer, my husband brought home a new furry feline, and he was already infested with fleas. We had no choice but to treat all of our other pets and home with products that contained chemicals. It was not my first choice (trust me!), but the flea infestation was way out of control that it required a chemical intervention.

It’s that time of the year again. The itching, and scratching season for our pets. The fleas are back, and this year, I would prefer to treat my cats naturally and preventively. You can find many chemical treatments on the market that can treat fleas successfully. However, if these chemicals are not safe for my own children to touch, why would I want to apply this to my own cats?

Did you know that fleas are able to lay dormant through cold temperatures? They are also capable to do so for several months. Heat and humidity are perfect for fleas to keep breeding. In warmer climates, such as Southern regions of the United States, fleas are often present year round. Thankfully, where I live, they are primarily seasonal.

After doing some research on the internet, I found some natural flea remedies to try instead. Always consult with a Veterinarian before trying any of the following remedies.

1. Keep your Home Clean

When our home was infested with fleas last summer, I vacuumed the house daily, especially the high-traffic areas. I would clean out the vacuum container with hot soap and water after each clean to ensure fleas did not remain in the vacuum cleaner. If your vacuum contains a bag, throw it out after each use.

2. Purchasing a Flea Comb

A flea comb can help remove eggs, larvae, and adult fleas on your cat. For this method, you will need a cup of warm water. For hygiene reasons, I would use a cup that you can throw away.

Directions:

– I have a long haired cat that does not enjoy a brushing. In my case, it takes two adults to perform this procedure. One adult holds the cat while the other one brushes it. You can start combing from your cat’s head and work your way down to his tail.

– Frequently examine the flea comb and remove any fleas, eggs, or larvae. Also, frequently dip the comb in warm water. You can do this daily until no more fleas can be found.

3. Give your Cat a Bath

If your cat allows you to bathe him, you can do so. This home remedy does not work for my cat because he is highly opposed to water and he can get aggressive. A wet environment will drown the adult fleas. It will also remove any eggs or larvae that are present.

Directions:

– For this, you will need a gentle cat shampoo and a bathtub. Once you fill up the tub with water, put your cat in the bath and wet him. Gently apply the shampoo, and allow it to remain on your cat for several minutes. Rinse your cat well and dry him with a towel. After the bath, you can use the flea comb and follow the directions. This can be repeated weekly to break up the life cycle of the flea. Do not attempt this if your cat is aggressive.

4. Homemade Vinegar Spray

Making a homemade vinegar spray is economical, and excellent for killing adult fleas on contact. To do this, you will need:

– 2 cups of distilled white vinegar, 2  quarts of warm water, and one large spray bottle.

Directions:

Simply add the water and vinegar to the spray bottle and shake. Gently spray your cat avoiding his face and genitals. You can perform this daily until no more fleas are present.

5. Applying Salt

Do not use salt if you live in a humid climate, it can create mould. Table salt is an excellent way to get rid of adult fleas on your cat. It can also be used on your carpets, drapes, and furniture. The salt can be left for several days around your home. Simply vacuum up the remaining salt and dead fleas. This does not sound appealing, I know!

Directions:

I like to use a salt shaker for this. Simply shake the salt around your home, especially in the cat beds, carpets, furniture, and curtains. You can also take a pinch of salt and apply it directly to your cat’s fur. Make sure that the salt has made contact with the surface of your cat’s skin. You can repeat this until no more fleas are present. You can leave the salt for two or three days, then vacuum it up.

6. Flea Trap

Last summer, we made several flea traps and left them in several spots around the house. I have to admit, that it was pretty gross waking up to a bunch of dead fleas on a plate! However, this method works! For this, you will need dish soap, an aluminum pie pan, and a cup of water.

Directions:

Add a very generous amount of dish soap to your pie pan. Add the water and stir. We placed our flea traps close to the windows and high up so cats could not reach and tip them over. We changed the traps nightly, before bedtime. Keep doing this until no more fleas are present in your trap.

What do you do to keep your cat flea-free? Do you have any other tips for my readers?

Disclaimer: This article does not replace a visit with your vet. I am not a vet or scientist. Always consult with your vet before trying any new product on your pet.