Cat Fleas: Myths, Facts, and DIY Remedies
Updated: May 30
How To Tell If Your Cat Has Fleas? Do Fleas Jump? Do Fleas Have Wings? We try to answer the most common questions about cat fleas. In addition to the best homemade treatments, you may try them at home.
Generally speaking, some medicated shampoos and drugs are effective in treating cat fleas. However, some people can't afford such pricey treatment options and prefer home remedies.
Fleas are one of the most frequent parasites that can cause significant health problems and distress in cats. If you suspect your cat has fleas, take early action and never neglect your cat in such a situation, as it can worsen over time.
If you are a cat owner concerned about cat fleas and want to get rid of them naturally, you have come to the right place. Our small animal veterinarian has put together everything there is to know about cat fleas, along with a few simple and effective home remedies to get rid of fleas in cats, so read on.
How To Tell If Your Cat Has Fleas?
Do Fleas Jump?
Do Fleas Have Wings?
Home Remedies For Cat Fleas
How To Tell If Your Cat Has Fleas?
Having trouble determining whether your cat has contracted fleas? Following are some of the tell-tale clinical signs of cat fleas your cat may exhibit:
Excessive self-grooming
Constant itching and discomfort
Loss of appetite
Redness and inflammation of the skin due to flea allergy
Hairless patches
Weakness, lethargy, and pale gums due to flea anemia
Fleas not only bite and suck the blood of your cat, but they also carry a lot of pathogens and parasites which can infect your pet and lead to severe illnesses.
Do Fleas Jump?
Fleas are known for jumping long distances; a study indicates that they may jump 50 times their body length. Fleas have powerful hind limbs and store energy in a pad made of a protein known as resilin; when released, this pad causes them to catapult forward like an arrow released from a bow. Fleas can jump up to around 7 inches in height and 13 inches on.
Do Fleas Have Wings?
The assumption that fleas can fly is false. Fleas cannot fly since they lack wings. However, they may appear to fly when they jump from one spot to another. Fleas lack wings during all stages of development, from larvae to adults.
Home Remedies For Cat Fleas
Fortunately, numerous home remedies have proven to be effective in getting rid of fleas in cats, and some of these are listed below:
#1- Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of the best home remedies for cat fleas because it contains the chemical carvacrol, which acts as a flea-repellent. However, several other chemical compounds in oregano oil are disliked by cats.
Always dilute one teaspoon of oregano oil with three teaspoons of olive oil to ensure that it has no adverse effects on the cat's health. Apply a tiny amount of this diluted oil to your cat's body where fleas typically hide, such as underneath the tail, behind the ears, under the armpits, and around the neck.
#2- Cedarwood chips or oil
Chemical compounds found in cedar wood are highly undesirable to fleas, and your cat may also dislike them. Usually, don't apply the oil first; instead, try dispersing the cedar wood chips throughout your cat's bedding and play area. If it doesn't work, combine the cedar wood oil with vegetable or lavender oil and apply it to your cat's fur.
#3- Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the simplest home remedies for cat fleas. You can chop rosemary leaves and scatter them on the carpet, couch, or bed, where your cat frequently hangs out. You may also boil the rosemary in water, filter the liquid, and spray it on your cat's coat when it cools down. The scent of rosemary does not seem to have any adverse effects on the cat and is intensely disliked by fleas.
#4- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent home remedy for cat fleas, but you must be careful not to spray it on your cat's eyes or ears. Before pouring the apple cider vinegar on your cat's body, dilute it with water in a ratio of two apple cider vinegar to one part water.
#5- Olive oil or coconut oil
If your cat is allergic to vinegar, cedarwood oil, or other essential oils, you can apply olive oil or coconut oil on its fur. These oils are mild and have no adverse effects on the health of the cats, and the fatty content in these oils can suffocate fleas.
Best Homemade Remedies For Cat Fleas: Final Thoughts
Fleas are notorious creatures that can seriously impair your cat's health. The best home remedies for cat fleas include essential oils such as cedarwood oil, oregano oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and rosemary and apple cider vinegar. If you believe their home remedies are not working, I strongly advise you to take your cat to a veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
References:
9 Natural Home Remedies for Fleas on Cats. (2022, October 30). The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/home-remedies-for-fleas-on-cats-4580388
Cat Fleas: Causes, Prevention & Treatment of Fleas on Cats | Purina. (n.d.). https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/health/parasites/cat-fleas
Do Fleas Have Wings? (n.d.). Aiken Pest Control. https://www.aikenpest.com/blog/post/do-fleas-have-wings
Gibbs, A. (2022, August 2). Ten easy home remedies for fleas on cats. PetsRadar. https://www.petsradar.com/advice/home-remedies-for-fleas-on-cats