Green Daily

Patricia already gave us some hints on how to keep our canine companions flea-less with a natural remedy, but what about the cats? I have two indoor cats and we haven't had to deal with fleas for a number of years. Recently a friend brought her dog and all of his parasites over for a visit and since then we have all be scratching.

The first objective is to kill the fleas in your environment as more fleas reside in floorboards and carpeting than on our pets. Vacuum frequently and dispose of the refuse immediately outside of the house. Wash all cat bedding (which is most likely your bedding) and spot treat dark, moist areas with flea spray containing pyrethrins, a natural insecticide.

Next, treat your pet. Although oils are a natural way to fight fleas on dogs, cat's should never be given essential oils as felines have trouble metabolizing them and they can build up to toxic levels within the bloodstream. Grooming kitty frequently with a flea comb is the least dangerous and most friendly method of flea control. However, if your cat won't sit still long enough you can try adding a teaspoon of brewer's yeast to his food which will make his blood less tasty.

It's best to start planning for the flea onslaught now as it's likely to get worse as spring and summer approach.