How to get rid of fleas on cats using home remedies? - briefly
Apply a diluted «apple cider vinegar» spray and a daily mild dish‑soap bath to disrupt the flea life cycle, then comb the cat with a fine‑toothed flea comb and wash all bedding in hot water. Sprinkle food‑grade diatomaceous earth on carpets and pet areas, reapplying after cleaning to sustain an unfavourable environment for fleas.
How to get rid of fleas on cats using home remedies? - in detail
Flea elimination on cats can be achieved with readily available household items when chemical treatments are unsuitable. Understanding the parasite’s life cycle—egg, larva, pupa, adult—guides effective intervention, as each stage requires a specific approach.
The first step is physical removal. A fine‑toothed flea comb, run through the coat daily, extracts adult insects and their eggs. Comb after each grooming session, focusing on the neck and tail base where fleas congregate.
Bathing with mild soap or a diluted apple cider vinegar solution disrupts the flea’s waxy cuticle, leading to dehydration. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one quart of warm water; apply, massage gently, and rinse thoroughly. Avoid harsh shampoos that may irritate the skin.
Topical powders provide desiccation. Diatomaceous earth, food‑grade, sprinkled on the cat’s fur in a thin layer, absorbs lipids from the exoskeleton. Allow five minutes before brushing out excess. Baking soda, applied similarly, reduces itching and kills larvae on contact.
Natural sprays derived from citrus deter adult fleas. Prepare a lemon spray by steeping half a sliced lemon in two cups of boiling water, cooling, then adding a cup of white vinegar. Transfer to a spray bottle and mist the coat, avoiding the eyes and mucous membranes. Repeat every 48 hours until infestation subsides.
Environmental control prevents re‑infestation. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding daily; immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag. Wash all washable items in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or a mixture of equal parts baking soda and salt on carpets, leave for 24 hours, then vacuum.
Monitoring continues for three weeks, covering the flea life cycle. Inspect the cat each night, repeat combing, and maintain environmental treatments. If infestation persists beyond this period, veterinary consultation becomes necessary.
«Effective home‑based flea control relies on consistent mechanical removal, desiccating agents, and rigorous environmental hygiene».