Symptoms, Causes & Natural Remedies

Exposure to parasites like fleas and ticks is a given for many cats – especially those who spend time outdoors. In some areas, these pests only show themselves during certain seasons, but those in more humid climates can battle them year-round. Chemical flea medications come with both short and long term side-effects and leak toxins into your cat’s bloodstream. We recommend only using chemical flea medications if absolutely needed, and follow it up with a detox (like milk thistle).  In this section we will address ways to both prevent and treat fleas and ticks on your cats naturally.

Symptoms of Fleas & Ticks in Cats

Symptoms of fleas in cats can include:

• Scratching incessantly
• Skin irritation
• Excessive grooming
• Hair loss in spots

Symptoms of a tick bite in cats can include:

• Small bump on the skin
• Discomfort on the skin
• Sores causing extreme itching (serious cases)
• Loss of appetite (caused by tick-borne infection)
• Lethargy (caused by tick-borne infection)
• Joint pain (caused by tick-borne infection)
• Depression (caused by tick-borne infection)

Causes of Fleas and Ticks in Cats

Parasites are attracted to animals with weak immune systems, so kittens and cats with underdeveloped or weakened immune systems are at higher risk. Exposure of fleas and ticks is situational. Outdoor cats will be exposed much more than indoor cats.

Natural Treatments for Fleas and Ticks in Cats

One of the best ways to protect your cats from fleas and ticks is to limit their exposure. Cats who are fed a healthy diet will be at less risk of contracting fleas or tick-borne illnesses. Here are some natural ways to keep the parasites away:

To prevent fleas & ticks in cats:

Treat the area in which they reside with natural oils, herbs and/or products like:

• 50% Water, 50% Apple Cider Vinegar & a few drops of catnip oil. Spray outdoor area & paws of cat for deterrent.
• Flea-Ex for Cats – mix this with water and spray bedding, carpet or outdoor areas to keep them away.
• Add beneficial nematodes to your yard. This will help keep many pests away.
• Lemongrass, neem, and catnip oils mixed together can repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.
• Geranium oil is also a great repellant of fleas and ticks in your yard.

To treat fleas & ticks in cats:

• Flea-eX for Cats can kill the parasites quickly and naturally. Simply spray it on your hands or a wire brush and rub it into their fur, down to their skin. Follow that up by brushing with a flea comb to remove any dead fleas, eggs and  flea dirt.
• Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) has been used for decades to fight fleas & ticks. It scores the hide as they crawl over the powder, causing them to dehydrate and die.
• Organic coconut oil can be used to treat fleas. The coconut oil experts at CocoTherapy advise, “If you suspect that your pet has fleas, massage a generous amount of coconut oil onto the skin and hair of the animal, making sure to coat the skin well. Leave the oil on for at least 8 hours, then wash your pet with a natural, gentle shampoo.” 

If you find a tick on your cat, it’s important that you remove it promptly and correctly

How to remove a tick from your pet’s skin: by Dr. Karen Becker, DVM

“Don’t use your bare hands because you can become infected by handling or crushing an infected tick. Wear gloves, or even better, use a tick-removing tool.

Grasp the tick very close to your pet’s skin with a tick removal tool or a pair of tweezers. Carefully pull the tick’s body away from the skin making sure you’ve grasped the entire tick. Once it’s off, flush it down the toilet. Then disinfect your pet’s skin with soapy water or diluted povidone iodine (Betadine). I also recommend applying a drop of lavender oil to the bite.

Monitor the attachment site for the next few days. If you notice any irritation or inflammation of the skin, contact your veterinarian.”

Though cats are at less risk than dogs of contracting tick-borne illnesses, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your vet to have them tested – just to be on the safe side.