How to remove fleas from a cat using folk remedies

Not only stray cats, but also well-groomed domestic cats are susceptible to flea attacks, and this can become a serious problem for the animal. To eliminate it, an integrated approach is required, including disinsection of the living quarters and competent treatment of the pet.

Why do cats get fleas?

Fleas may well appear even in domestic cats that do not leave the house and do not interact with street animals.

The main routes of infection are as follows:

• from an infected animal;
• from a person who has brought a flea on his clothes;
• from the basement or a neighbor's apartment, if the house is old and the neighbors do not handle animals;
• from a dog catching a flea while walking.

Note! Do not exclude the possibility of infection of a pet, even in the case of his completely home lifestyle. Lack of attention to the problem can lead to sad consequences for the animal.

The main signs of infection

It is possible to determine that a cat is worried about fleas by a number of criteria:

1. Itchy skin. The animal begins to actively comb the sides and back, as well as bite into the fur. In ticks, the lesions are different, and they usually attack the inguinal and ear zones.
2. The presence of waste products of parasites. If you spread the fur apart, you can see flea eggs and excrement, similar to a mixture of dark and white grains.
3. Adult fleas. When washing or thoroughly combing, the parasites begin to actively escape from the body of the animal.
4. Ulcers, wounds and redness of the skin. Flea bites lead to skin irritation and itching, and scratching them leads to damage.
5. Unreasonable meowing and nervous behavior. This is how the animal demonstrates its discomfort.
6. Decreased appetite and sleep disturbance. A sick pet sleeps restlessly, jumping or twitching.

Note! Similar symptoms can cause allergic reactions, and not necessarily fleas. Therefore, when they appear, you must contact your veterinarian.

It is especially important to notice the symptoms in kittens in time, as they survive flea bites much more severely. The animals lose their appetite, the temperature rises and anemia develops.

If you ignore the infection in adults, serious consequences are observed:

• non-healing wounds;
• baldness;
• dermatitis and other skin lesions;
• spread of infection throughout the body;
• disturbances in the work of the nervous system.

Folk methods for fleas in cats

Folk remedies for fleas in cats cannot be called the best treatment method, since they cannot guarantee a complete cure for the animal. They should be used only with the appearance of the first symptoms of infection, when there are still few parasites.

In a couple of weeks, the number of fleas will increase several times, and more serious means will be required to eliminate them. Also, the use of folk remedies is justified in the following cases:

• the presence of kittens in the house;
• pregnancy of an animal;
• a disease in which store products can cause a deterioration in well-being, or allergic reactions to these substances.

The main advantage of home remedies is low toxicity and, therefore, minimal harm to the health of the pet. However, this simultaneously reduces their effectiveness. To achieve a satisfactory result, it is necessary to select the optimal anti-flea instrument and use it systematically.

It is required to process not only the animal itself, but also the places of its sleep, as well as all the accessories. If there are several cats in the house, everything is subject to processing, regardless of the manifestation of signs of infection. Before starting treatment, the animal must be bathed, and only then the substances must be applied.

Important! The choice of recipe should be approached with caution, avoiding ingredients that could harm the health of the cat itself.

Herbal decoctions - as a means of fighting fleas

Herbal extracts have a pronounced aroma that repels fleas and makes them leave the animal's body and surrounding objects. Concentrates are used in the form of solutions applied to the skin.

For effective treatment, the cat must be coated with the composition in such a way as to wet the entire coat (except for the area around the mouth, eyes and nose) and skin. After that, the pet is wrapped in a towel and kept in this state for 10-15 minutes. After it is rinsed and dried using a clean towel.

The most effective medicinal herbs for fleas are the following:

1. Sagebrush. To prepare the composition, you need to add 20 grams of dry chopped herbs to a container with half a liter of boiling water. Boil the solution for five minutes, then let it brew under the lid for five to six hours.
2. Lavender and geranium. Dried herbs are mixed in equal proportions, poured with boiling water (a quarter liter per 20 grams of herbs) and boiled over low heat under a lid for 20 minutes. After the composition is left to cool.
3. Tansy. 20 grams of chopped grass must be poured with a quarter liter of boiling water, cover the container with a lid and leave to infuse for 24 hours. Shake the vessel every few hours.
4. Eucalyptus. 30 grams of fresh shoots are placed in half a liter of boiling water and boiled for ten minutes under a lid. After the composition is infused for 12 hours.

Note! Tansy also helps heal flea bites.

Garlic application

Garlic contains components that repel blood-sucking insects, which include fleas. Prepare a garlic remedy as follows:

• crush six to seven cloves of garlic and pour half a liter of water over them;
• add a couple of teaspoons of brewer's yeast to the solution (optional);
• cover the container with the solution with a lid, place in a darkened and warm place for 12 hours;
• remove the cake, and use the liquid for processing.

The solution is applied in five to six drops on the skin with the fur apart and only on those places where the cat cannot reach with its tongue - on the area of ​​the base of the skull and the withers.

Important! Do not allow the substance to enter other areas, since if swallowed it can lead to severe disorders of the digestive system.

The treatment is repeated two to three times with an interval of five days, until the signs of infection disappear. The tool does not kill parasites, but scares them away, so a repetition is required. After complete deliverance, the animal can be redeemed.

Laundry soap

This product is harmless for the treatment of not only adult animals, but also kittens and pregnant individuals. Liquid tar soap works best. You can use a solid form, but you will need to soak it in warm water to form a thick, soapy lather. It is also convenient to use ready-made tar shampoo.

Processing is carried out as follows:

1. Place the animal in a bath and thoroughly dampen the coat with warm water.
2. Gently lather the cat, especially thoroughly washing the folds of the abdomen, legs and withers.
3. Wrap the soaped animal in a dry towel and pick it up. In this state, it should be from ten to forty minutes.
4. Rinse the coat with running water. It is better to take off the towel in the bath, since after that the fleas will begin to actively evacuate, because tar does not kill them, but scares them away.
5. Dry the coat with a dry towel, then comb out the remains of the fleas, as well as their eggs.

If the treatment did not help remove all the parasites, then after a few days it can be repeated.

Flea essential oil in cats

Plant esters have a pungent aroma and contain volatile elements that repel parasites. They do not kill fleas and work as long as they remain in the air, and therefore long-term use will be required to achieve the effect.

The following essential oils are used to scare away:

• sagebrush;
• anise;
• tea tree;
• peppermint;
• eucalyptus;
• Pine;
• lavender.

Important! It is impossible to apply oils to the fur of an animal, as they can cause damage to the nervous system, serious poisoning and impaired sense of smell.

Citrus oils are dangerous for pets: orange, lemongrass, lemon and lime. For processing the premises, not concentrates are used, but solutions of oils in water with the addition of alcohol (the ratio is 2-3 drops of oil to 50 ml of water to 5 ml of alcohol).

The resulting composition is sprayed on furniture, floors, curtains, carpets, shoe shelves and pet accessories. After that, fleas begin to actively jump and bite, including humans. For this reason, alcohol is added to the solution.

Special means

The advantage of medicines is proven efficacy and safety. They act quickly, allowing the animal to heal in no time.

Flea collars

This is one of the most common preventive measures. The collar has a drug smell that repels parasites. However, this device also has significant disadvantages:

• some of them are highly toxic, and therefore only collars with special markings can be used;
• the affected area is limited to the head and ears, while the back of the cat remains unprotected;
• the duration of the product is about one month, after which the collar must be replaced;
• can cause the development of a local allergic reaction.

Shampoos

An effective enough remedy for combating fleas. It is necessary to choose a shampoo from a trusted manufacturer, designed specifically for cats. It will be effective when the infection has not reached a critical stage, that is, when a huge number of insects are not detected when the fur is pushed apart.

After using the shampoo, the animal must be thoroughly washed with running water so that not a trace of shampoo remains. If there is a special marking, the product can also be used for small kittens.

Insecticidal drops

Drops are the most effective remedy suitable for animals with different coat lengths. When choosing, you should give preference to trusted manufacturers and the least toxic substances. The only danger in use is the risk of licking the drug.

To avoid this, drops are applied to the withers of the animal, and in the presence of several cats, they are physically separated in space until the substance is completely dry. It is also necessary to avoid getting the product on your hands.

Special flea sprays

Aerosols and sprays are highly effective and equally toxic substances. They can only be used outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, as otherwise there is a high risk of poisoning.
In a couple of hours after applying the spray to the coat, fleas die.

However, this may not work for cats with fluffy coats, as the product simply will not reach the animal's skin.

Note! For the period of processing and drying, a high neck collar must be worn on the pet in order to deprive him of the opportunity to lick the product. Cover the cat's nose and eyes when handling the ears and neck.

How to get rid of fleas from a kitten

Kittens are more susceptible to parasite attacks than adults. However, due to their sensitive immune system, they cannot be treated in the same ways as adults. The younger the kitten, the more carefully you need to apply various substances.

The following methods are considered the most effective:

• combing out with a comb;
• bathing with a special shampoo;
• treatment with drops, powder or spray.

When using special products, it is important to choose products suitable for treating kittens. They are often divided by age.

Treatment of wounds in cats after flea bites

Wounds must be washed with warm soapy water or hydrogen peroxide. Disinfectants should not be used as they irritate tissues and slow down the healing process.

In the event of inflammation at the site of the bite, the affected area is treated with a special ointment.

Preventive measures

As a preventive measure for the appearance of fleas, it is necessary to observe some hygiene rules:

1. Periodically carry out pest control of the apartment.
2. Carry out flea treatment of the pet in strict accordance with the specified cycle of the drug used. Some of the funds require application once every couple of months, others - once every six months.
3. Every year (as often as possible) bring the animal for a routine examination to the veterinarian. The doctor will make a simple test to detect the appearance of fleas at an early stage, which will greatly facilitate the treatment process.
4. Do not let the cat walk on its own. The danger here is not only parasites, but also stray animals.

To remove fleas from a cat with folk remedies is a simple and quite effective solution. However, before using such substances, you must ensure that they are safe for the animal.

Video: how to remove fleas from a cat