What’S The Best Natural Flea Treatments ?
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Fleas are more than just an annoyance for you and your pet. These blood-sucking parasites can transmit diseases from cat to cat, infect your cat with tapeworm, cause skin infections and dermatitis, and even induce anemia.
A few fleas on your cat can soon turn into a full-fledged infestation in your home, which you may difficult to control.
Fleas must be treated as soon as possible, and repellents and preventative strategies can help keep homes and pets flea-free.
Many cat flea treatments and repellents involve strong chemical pesticides that kill fleas but might produce severe effects in sensitive pets and people, such as allergic reactions.
Fortunately, there are a variety of flea treatments and repellents for cats that use natural items as active pesticide ingredients.
Here are BestForPets's (bestforpets.org) best natural flea treatments, all of which have received positive feedback and reviews.
Table of contents
Reviews Choosing The Best Natural Flea Treatments and Repellents for Cats ConclusionReviews
Best Overall: Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray for Cats
This product, infused with natural pesticides, has been rated as highly effective in killing fleas on contact. Customers also appreciate its delectable aroma, saying it reminds them of Christmas!
There is less possibility of your cat developing skin irritation from harsh chemicals when numerous natural oils are used as active components.
Furthermore, this product is not intended to interfere with the active ingredients of other flea treatments.
It can be used successfully on its own as well as in conjunction with other products for more severe infestations.
It not only repels fleas but also other bothersome insects from your cats, such as mosquitos and black flies.
Natural Chemistry flea spray is our top pick for the best all-around natural flea treatment and repellent for cats.
Pros
- It has no effect on other flea products.
- All ages are safe.
- Other dangerous insects, such as mosquitoes and black flies, are also deterred.
- Excellent odor
Cons
- Application that takes time
Best Value for Vet’s Best Plant-Based Flea & Tick Cat Shampoo
This Vet’s Best product has only a few components, all of which are plant-based.
It uses the natural insecticide characteristics of clove and cottonseed oil to get rid of fleas and ticks on your cat.
It is also an excellent general shampoo for keeping your cat clean and feeling fresh while also acting as a flea treatment. Natural soaps assist in the removal of grime and debris, while vanilla extract deodorizes.
Only a small amount of product is required in a substantial 12-oz bottle for an all-over thorough clean and effective clean.
This product’s multi-benefits, combined with its size and ease of use, make it the finest natural flea treatment and repellant for cats for the money among the solutions we examined.
Pros
- Deodorizing
- Tick-repelling properties
- Plant-based
- Affordable
Cons
- Can cause sensitive skin and fur to dry out
- Cats under the age of 12 weeks are not recommended.
Best Flea Comb by Hartz Groomer
This solution differs from the others in that it does not use natural insect repellent chemicals and instead relies on good old-fashioned elbow grease.
All cat owners should invest in a flea comb, such as this one from Hartz. In addition to giving your cat a nice groom, a flea comb can be a surprisingly effective approach to combat a flea infestation.
Flea combs are the best all-natural flea treatment because there is no chance of unpleasant responses like those caused by chemical therapies.
However, flea combs rarely function alone and are most effective when used in conjunction with other products.
The usage of a flea comb on a regular basis can boost your success rate with your cat’s flea treatment plan and help them discover relief faster.
Pros
- Cheap
- Compatible with all other items
- Flea removal that is both effective and immediate
- Grooms while being treated
- There are no repurchase costs.
Cons
- Time-consuming
- Repetitive
- This is not a stand-alone treatment.
Nature’s Shield Flea & Tick Home Spray by Hartz
Flea treatment can be prevented by investing in a decent repellent. Preventing fleas from entering your home in the first place will reduce the likelihood of your cat contracting and proliferating fleas.
It will also keep you and your family safe from pesky bites! This spray is intended for use both inside and outside the home.
Spraying this plant-based repellant over furniture, beds, and entryways will make your home an unwelcoming environment for fleas.
The manufacturers advise against using it in outdoor locations if there are flowering plants nearby, since the insect repellent characteristics would keep bees away and prevent them from conducting their crucial pollination activities.
According to several reviewers, this has a strong, disagreeable odor. The scent is derived from natural sources (cedarwood and lemongrass) and is more about personal preference.
However, if you are concerned, you can spray your home before leaving for the day so that the odor evaporates before you return.
Pros
- Plant-based
- It will not leave stains.
- The entire house is safe.
- Other insects are repelled.
Cons
- Smells strongly
- Bees are repelled from the garden.
Natural Chemistry Natural Cat Flea Shampoo
This is the third Natural Chemistry product on our list, but with good reason! This solution has also received positive feedback for efficiently treating fleas on cats using all-natural active components.
Some previous customers claim that their cats disliked the pungent aroma, making bathtime more difficult than normal.
Others complained that the lather was inadequate and that more product was needed as a result. Natural substances are to blame for the lack of lather.
The application, like other flea shampoos, can be difficult because many cats detest bath time. However, if your cat tolerates baths, this product is an excellent choice.
It gives a week’s worth of skin protection to keep any fleas in the surroundings from re-inhabiting your cat’s coat.
Pros
- Protection for 7 days
- Other flea medicines are unaffected.
- It is safe to use on cats of all ages.
Cons
- Some cats are affected by strong odors.
- It is difficult to lather.
Choosing The Best Natural Flea Treatments and Repellents for Cats
What Ingredients Are in Natural Flea Treatments?
Many of the most popular and widely used flea treatments for cats on the market involve synthetic active ingredients.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the US Food and Drug Administration regulate all flea treatments (if the product is oral).
However, the EPA has recently come under fire from non-profit watchdogs for “inefficient safety criteria” surrounding some approved chemicals.
While many cats tolerate these drugs well, there have been reports of cat toxicity from flea treatments. Mild cutaneous or gastrointestinal discomfort to serious poisoning are all possible reactions.
These adverse reactions are more likely in cats with compromised immune systems, such as the aged, developing, and sensitive cats. Doing your study on what’s in flea treatments should be a priority for you as a cat owner.
While synthetic solutions may work well for your cat and create no problems, seeking for more natural alternatives when dealing with fleas may be better for some cats’ health.
Given the stakes, finding a suitable solution might be intimidating, so keep reading to learn about some crucial factors to consider when selecting a natural flea treatment and repellent for your cat.
Ingredients that fight fleas naturally
- Cinnamon is a natural pesticide that is effective against a wide range of insects, including fleas. Cinnamaldehyde, the primary component of cinnamon, has been experimentally demonstrated to be poisonous to insects yet non-toxic to mammals. Furthermore, cinnamyl acetate, the component responsible for cinnamon’s signature fragrance, is a powerful pesticide and insect repellent.
- Clove is a known pesticide that gardeners frequently use to protect their crops from destructive insects. This component may be useful in flea treatments for cats, but it should be used with caution because large amounts can be poisonous. If used with a shampoo, ensure that they are fully washed. If used as a topical treatment, only apply to areas where they can’t reach to groom.
- The EPA actively regulates the use of cedar oil as a pesticide and in flea treatments. It has been proven to be effective as well as safe. Many insects are repulsed by cedrol, which is found in cedar oil.
- Cottonseed: Cottonseed has been used as an all-natural bug repellant for millennia. Cottonseed is not poisonous to insects, unlike some of the other natural substances. It suffocates little insects and their eggs instead, making it an excellent addition to cat flea treatments.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is another non-toxic organic insecticide. Diatomaceous earth wraps little insects and causes them to dry and desiccate by removing them of their natural oils, rather than killing them via toxicity.
- Neem: Although neem oil is not a key active element in flea control, it can be beneficial in repelling them. The inclusion of neem oil in natural flea remedies for cats improves the skin by hydrating it and functioning as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal for skin irritations or infections.
- While yarrow does not directly kill fleas, it can be a useful addition to natural flea treatments for cats. Yarrow oil and powder contain anti-inflammatory characteristics that may help with any subsequent illnesses or discomfort caused by flea bites on your cat.
- Boric acid is a pesticide with moderate toxicity, thus veterinarians advocate using it as part of an EPA-approved product rather than a homemade cure. This manner, you can be certain that the amounts of boric acid in your home are safe. Boric acid is harmful to insects, but because fleas only feed on your pets’ blood, it has no effect on them. Instead, boric acid dehydrates invertebrate exoskeletons, causing death.
- Spinosad: When this chemical is listed on the back of cat flea products, it is typical for people to mistake it for an artificial ingredient. Despite its unnatural-sounding name, it is a natural substance. Spinosad is generated from bacteria that naturally exist in soil. It is a powerful pesticide that is used to kill and repel various insects, including fleas. Because spinosad is most effective when consumed by fleas, it is most commonly found in oral products.
- Peppermint: Because the strong aroma of peppermint components is effective at deterring insects, this ingredient can be a useful supplement to many cat flea remedies. Because peppermint possesses anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral qualities, it can help minimize the impact of secondary infections caused by flea bites and skin irritation.
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home
Because synthetic items are highly efficient, they are popular and widely used.
While natural products can likely have comparable results, some products may be ineffectual if not accompanied by additional household acts.
Unfortunately, getting rid of fleas on your cat is only half the battle. While fleas require your pet’s blood to survive, they can dwell in your home for 2 days to 2 weeks.
Furthermore, the incubation period for flea eggs can last up to 14 days. With these factors in mind, your cat is likely to pick up more fleas weeks after a successful treatment.
In addition to treating your cat, you should place an unpleasant mat for fleas in your home. Here are our finest recommendations:
- Vacuum on a daily basis – following a flea treatment, regular vacuuming of floors and furniture will pick up any stray fleas, larvae, and eggs.
- Steam clean – high heat will kill fleas at any stage of development, so using steam as part of your cleaning routine can be beneficial!
- Clean all bedding in the house (both human and cat!) at least once a week to eliminate any fleas that may be hiding. Tumble drying after cleaning can also be beneficial because the heat will kill any residual living bugs.
- Use repellents – Using repellents around the house will make your home a place fleas don’t want to be. It will drive away existing fleas and prevent new fleas from entering.
Conclusion
Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray is BestForPets‘s (bestforpets.org) top overall recommended product.
This treatment uses natural substances to naturally cure your cat for fleas. It has a lot of excellent feedback and could be just what you’re looking for.
Vet’s Best Plat-Based Formula is an excellent value. This shampoo has had remarkable success in treating your cats for fleas in an effective and safe manner, harnessing plant power to permanently destroy and repel fleas while not costing you an arm and a leg!
We hope that our selection of the best natural flea treatments assisted you in your search for the perfect product for your cat!
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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