How to kill cat fleas with home items

Fleas can cause many health issues for your cat, such as anaemia, hair loss, tapeworm infestation if fleas are ingested and itching, which can lead to secondary skin infections. Cats with allergies to fleas' saliva, also called flea allergy dermatitis, experience severe itching and skin discomfort. One or two fleas can quickly lead to an infestation because they reproduce quickly. To prevent these problems and provide relief for both you and your cat, get rid of fleas using items you may already have in your home.

Wash your cat to drown the fleas on its coat and relieve its itchy skin. Place your cat in a sink or bath and wet its fur with warm water. Lather a small amount of washing up liquid into its coat, avoiding the face, and allow the soap to sit for five to 10 minutes. Use a flannel to wipe away any dirt or escaping fleas from your cat's face. Rinse your cat with warm water. Towel dry your cat's fur. Use a hairdryer, held a few inches away from your cat's coat, to completely dry it, avoiding the cat's face.

Comb your cat's fur with a flea comb to remove any remaining fleas on its coat. Smear petroleum jelly on the comb to help catch the fleas. If you catch a flea with the comb, dip it into a bowl filled with rubbing alcohol to kill it. Repeat this process on your cat's entire body.

Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar in an empty spray bottle and spray your cat's coat with it; work it into the skin and coat with your fingers. You can also pour it onto the fur and rub it in. The vinegar helps to repel fleas, who do not like the smell or taste, and it also moisturises your cat's skin and coat. Treat your cat with this spray weekly to continue to repel and kill fleas.

Sprinkle borax substitute around your home, on carpeting, in crevices, on furniture and on your pet's bedding. The borax substitute helps to kill fleas by dehydrating them. Vacuum up the powder after a few hours to get rid of the fleas and flea eggs. Dispose of the vacuum bag outside to prevent fleas from reinfesting your home.

Wash your pet's bedding in hot water and add 100 g (1/2 cup) of borax substitute to the laundry. The hot water and the borax substitute will kill any fleas or eggs.

Spray your garden with a mixture of washing up liquid and water using a garden sprayer. Fill the sprayer with soap, dilute it with 2 tablespoons of water and attach it to a garden hose to saturate the ground and plants around your home. Repeat this process every four to six weeks to eliminate fleas from around your home and prevent them from coming inside.