If you've ever felt that frustrated feeling when you looked over at your cat and saw them furiously scratching at those pesky fleas, this blog is for you. Fleas are nothing if not persistent and they are one of the most common complaints among cat owners.

Pharmacy shelves are full of chemical-laden treatments, but fortunately many pet parents are now turning to gentler, natural alternatives and that’s what we want to talk about today because nature offers an effective toolkit for tackling fleas!  We’re going to share everything you need to know about natural flea treatments for cats, from what works and what to avoid to how to keep your home flea-free for good!

The Flea Life Cycle

Before we get into those amazing natural solutions, it's worthwhile understanding what we’re dealing with here. First of all, fleas reproduce rapidly!  A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. These eggs can then fall off your cat and settle into your carpets, bedding, and furniture.  From there they hatch into larvae before becoming pupae and eventually adult fleas. What we’re getting at here is that simply treating your cat isn't going to cut it; you need to tackle their environment too. With the natural flea control we need to look at a multi-pronged approach that targets each different stage of the flea cycle.

Natural Treatments You Can Use on Your Cat

1. Fine-Tooth Flea Combing

The simplest and most immediately satisfying natural method is the flea comb. These metal combs drag fleas and their eggs right out of your cat's coat. Take your time using a flea comb, working slowly through the fur, section by section.  As you comb, dip the comb into a bowl of hot, soapy water after each pass to drown any captured fleas. During an active infestation it is recommended that you use this method daily. Yes, it's labour-intensive, but it's also completely safe, chemical-free, and gives you a clear picture of how severe the problem really is.

2. Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

Apple cider vinegar creates an acidic environment on the skin that fleas hate! To take advantage of this, simply mix equal parts raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly spray your cat's coat.  Be careful to avoid the face, eyes, and any open sores. You can even add a small amount to your cat's drinking water (roughly 1tsp per litre) to make their skin less hospitable to fleas over time.

Note: this doesn't kill fleas outright, but it does repel them effectively and is safe for most cats.

3. A Gentle Dish Soap Bath

Standard, unscented dish soap breaks down the waxy exoskeleton of fleas and causes them to drown. Wet your cat thoroughly, lather with a small amount of dish soap, and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing. Fleas love to gather around the neck and the base of the tail, so pay extra attention to those areas.

Note: This method does strip natural oils from the coat, so it is best reserved for heavy infestations and shouldn't be done more than once a week.

4. Diatomaceous Earth (Food-Grade Only)

Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It works mechanically, not chemically - its microscopic sharp edges damage the exoskeletons of fleas, causing them to dehydrate and die. All you have to do is dust a very small amount into your cat's coat, massaging it gently into the fur. Even more importantly, you can apply it to carpets, pet bedding, and floor cracks, which means getting all those jumpers too.

Note: Always use food-grade DE - not pool-grade - and avoid letting your cat (or yourself) inhale the dust. A light hand goes a long way where this one is concerned.

5. Essential Oils - Use Serious Caution

While you might have heard that some essential oils repel fleas, it is crucial to understand that cats lack the liver enzymes to metabolize many essential oils, making them potentially toxic even in small amounts. Three oils you should never use for (or around) cats are Eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint. If you do choose to use any essential oil, make sure to dilute it heavily (one to two drops per 100ml of carrier oil or water), apply it to your cat's collar rather than directly to their skin, and consult your vet beforehand. Cedar and lavender are generally considered lower risk, but caution is always recommended.  When in doubt, opt out!

6. Amber Collar/Necklace

Amber collars work in two main ways, through static electricity and their aromatic repellent. The raw, unpolished amber beads rub against your cat's fur and generate a slight static charge.  This charge is said to make fleas and ticks uncomfortable and unable to cling on. Baltic amber also has a naturally high acid content.  When it is warmed by friction (and your cat's body heat), it releases a subtle resinous scent that's thought to repel parasites.

If you do decide to try one, look for raw unpolished amber (polished beads lose their effectiveness), introduce it gradually over about a week for cats, and keep in mind it can take two to three weeks of consistent wear before you see the full benefit.  Here is a link for a supplier in New Zealand: Baltic Amber Pet Collars - The Crystal People

7. Flea Gone Tag

Another option is from a US based company (ships internationally).  Their product, Fleas Gone, is made from a zinc alloy that has been charged with an electromagnetic field. This process generates scalar waves, which create a bio-resonant energy field around your pet which naturally repelling parasites. (watch this video for more info: Longest Lasting Natural Flea & Tick Repellent Tag )

You can find the tags here: FleasGone Flea & Tick Repellent Tag for Cats and Dogs.

Note: the tag cannot be taken off the animal at all.  It needs approximately 30 days for it to become effective.

8. BioSpotix

And, lastly we have Biospotix Spot-On.  The active ingredient is Geraniol (Geraniol is a naturally occurring monoterpenoid alcohol and one of the most important fragrance compounds found in nature)  which dehydrates chitin and block the insect's respiratory system, causing them to dehydrate and suffocate. You can find them here: Biospotix Spot-On Cat - SweetCare New Zealand

9. MicroMed Probiotics

Supporting your cat’s microbiome with daily use of MicroMed probiotics also helps with detoxification beside the amazing benefits for your cats general well-being and healthy microbiome.

Treating Your Home Naturally

Up to 95% of a flea infestation lives in the environment rather than on your pet, making home treatment an absolute must.  Here are some ways to stay on top of this in the home:

Vacuum thoroughly

Vacuum every carpet, rug, sofa, and pet bed daily during an infestation. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately, or the fleas will simply hatch inside it and find their way back out.  Also, consider a HEPA air filter to get rid of harmful particles.

Wash all bedding in hot water

Wash both your cat's bedding and your own. Weekly washing at 60°C or above kills all life stages so keep this routine to keep on top of it.

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on your carpets and leave it for 48 hours before vacuuming it up. Beware though – fine dust filters in vacuum cleaners do not like diatomaceous earth and can get clogged.

Plant flea-repelling herbs

Rosemary, lavender, and mint planted near doorways can deter fleas from entering the home, a great natural way to keep them at bay.

When to See a Vet

Natural treatments work best as preventatives or for mild infestations. If any of the following signs appear you need to see your vet promptly:

-            Your cat is showing signs of anaemia (pale gums, lethargy),

-            Your cat has developed hot spots or severe skin infections from scratching,

-            Your cat is either very young or very old,

           Your cat is immunocompromised.

Note: Kittens under 8wks old are especially vulnerable to flea-related anaemia and may need urgent treatment.

Make it a habit

Natural flea control is absolutely achievable, but it does require consistency and patience. There isn’t any one remedy that will solve the problem overnight. We recommend that you combine regular combing, environmental cleaning, and safe topical deterrents to get the best results.  This combination will give you a solid, chemical-free defense against even the most determined flea invasion.  Plus, it will keep your cat comfortable, your home clean, and your mind at ease.