Curated by Maria Rita Insolera, Naturopath
Fleas are annoying little pests that can affect cats and other pets . If they are not taken in time, these can also infest common spaces ; or those places where the animal stays and rests: kennel, sofa, rugs.
What are fleas
Fleas are animals of the order of Afanteri . Small in size, they are wingless insects that use the ability to jump to move from one animal to another.
Fleas are red or brown in color, have hairs and an external sclerified membrane and have a mouth apparatus capable of piercing the skin of the animal that hosts them and then sucking the blood .
Symptoms from flea infestation in the cat
Fleas are quite dangerous animals. In fact, in addition to causing damage directly, through bites, itching and frequent cases of allergic reactions (due to the saliva that the insect releases with the bite) they can be harmful even indirectly .
In fact, fleas are often vectors of diseases, due to viruses and bacteria that can be contained in their excrement, regurgitation and in general also in saliva.
When a flea bites a host, it causes an insistent itching, after which it is natural to scratch a lot. Precisely this action can cause injuries and the spread of infectious agents.
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Cat fleas: cures and natural remedies
On the cat, fleas can be discovered using a magnifying glass and looking for traces of the insect, rummaging through the cat's fur .
A sign of their existence on our 4-legged friend is undoubtedly the presence of small fixed dark specks (the excrements). To recognize fleas, however, it is good to know their size (about 2 mm) and the color (reddish-brown).
A flea repellent with various essential oils can be prepared at home at home. These mixtures will have to be applied to the hair of cats by bypassing the eye area, nose and mouth.
These can be prepared at home simply by mixing with a vegetable oil, such as olive oil or sweet almond oil, a few drops (3 or 4 are enough) of essential peppermint oil (also known as flea grass ). This compound should be massaged onto the cat's skin.
Another infallible and natural remedy for fleas is neem oil, which is easily found in herbalists, a few drops are applied directly to the cat's hair.
Then there are supplements that act directly on the animal's skin and have an unpleasant effect on parasites, such as garlic-based tablets or brewer's yeast.
Natural tips
It is good to do a deep cleaning of the floors and especially of carpets and rugs, using steam machines if possible.
Also keep the rooms where the cat usually stays clean, so that the parasites cannot take root.
A completely natural remedy is to put salt in the cushions, on the floor and on the cat's mat, this will dehydrate the fleas and kill them quickly.
