Cats & Fleas: Which Repellents Are Safe?

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Misty L. Trepke

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Cats and Fleas: Which Repellents are Safe?

Adapted from " 50 Simple Ways to Pamper your Cat " By Arden Moore

(Storey Books, 2000)

 

http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/pets/828

 

Poor itchy kitties! Summer is flea time and those nasty little bites

can make our cats just miserable. What to do? Some folks swear by

garlic. Others say pyrethrin-based powders do the trick. But some

natural remedies may be dangerous to your pet.

 

Find out which remedies are safe--and which you should avoid--to keep

your kitty flea-free.

 

DANGERS:

 

Flea powders containing pyrethrins (derived from chrysanthemums) have

been generally considered " safe " , but research has shown that these

powders can be ingested by cats during grooming. Avoid them.

 

Although feeding raw garlic to your dog is a tried-and-true remedy

for canine fleas, research now suggests that garlic and cats don't

mix. Avoid using raw garlic with your feline: it can cause a

dangerous form of anemia and even lead to death.

 

The safest methods of flea control begin with the environment:

 

Wash your cat's bedding and any area rugs frequently. Fleas can't

swim and hot water will kill them.

 

Vacuum often and dispose of bags in an airtight container, or freeze

them first to kill flea, eggs, and larvae.

 

Beneficial nematodes may be used to dust your lawn. These creatures

will infest and kill fleas, but are harmless to pets and humans.

 

The best defense against fleas seems to be a healthy overall immune

system. Keep your cat in top form by feeding her a diet rich in

omega-3 and omega-6 oils, including a small amount of brewer's yeast

to meals, and avoiding over-processed foods with by-products.

 

If your cat already has fleas, bathe her with a mild detergent once a

week to remove adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Groom her with a flea

comb between baths. Dip the comb in water after every stroke to drown

any fleas you comb out.

 

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