Benefits of Coconut Oil For Cat Fleas

Everyone who’s owned a pet dog knows that fleas can be a real possibility for their furry friend. Not only do fleas make your dog uncomfortable, but they can also get into your furniture, carpets and more, and make your family itchy and uncomfortable.

However, fleas are not just a parasite that infects dogs. They can also find and live on cats, which means that if you have a feline friend at home, it’s important to do flea prevention so that she never brings home any of the pesky parasites.

If your cat does end up getting fleas, then it’s important to treat the condition. Treating the cat for fleas helps prevent her from spreading them to any other animals or throughout your home. It can also help ensure that she doesn’t feel uncomfortable or itchy as she deals with the infestation.

One of the best ways to treat your cat for fleas is with coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural substance that can improve your cat’s health, help her feel more comfortable and protect your home. Here’s everything you need to know about using coconut oil to treat cat fleas: how it works, how you can use it to prevent fleas and different ways it can help soothe your cat once she has fleas.

How Does Coconut Oil Combat Cat Fleas?

Coconut oil isn’t just delicious. It has an ingredient called lauric acid, which is known to be a natural flea killer. Fleas know that lauric acid is toxic to them, so they tend to avoid anything with coconut oil on or in it. So if you’re looking for a naturally occurring flea killer that doesn’t include harsh chemicals, coconut oil for cat fleas is one that is easy to find and affordable. By applying it to your cat’s skin and incorporating it into their diet, you can help keep fleas at bay as much as possible.

How Can You Use Coconut Oil to Help Prevent and Treat Fleas on Your Cat?

Coconut oil can be given to a cat to help with fleas both topically and orally. Here are some of the best ways on how to apply coconut oil on cats for fleas.

Put It On a Comb and Work It Through Your Cat’s Fur

If you happen to spot fleas on your cat, put some coconut oil on your cat’s comb, then run it through her hair. Coconut oil attracts the fleas and they stick to it, so you can use the comb to simply pull the fleas off. While this method won’t remove all of the fleas (it can be hard to get all of them), fleas don’t like the oil, so they’re less likely to stick around on an animal that smells like it and has it coated in their fur.

Apply It to Your Cat’s Skin and Fur to Soothe Itching

If your cat gets fleas, then you can use coconut oil instead of harsher medications to soothe the itching. Find the wounds on your cat’s skin that she has made due to itching. Then massage coconut oil onto the wound gently. Monitor your cat for an hour after you apply the oil so that she doesn’t lick it all away. This can ease the discomfort of itching and ensure that your cat does not give herself more health issues.

Introduce It Into Your Cat’s Diet as a Preventative Measure

Even though fleas are a topical problem, you can use coconut oil in a cat’s diet in order to help ward off the parasites. Mix about 1/8 or 1/4 of a teaspoon into your cat’s wet food twice a day. The antimicrobial properties in the coconut oil can help keep skin healthy and ensure your cat does not get any infections if she does happen to get fleas.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Coconut Oil for Cats?

Is coconut oil safe for cats fleas? Coconut oil is all natural, so it’s mostly a safe way to treat your cat for fleas. However, you can still feed your cat too much of it. A cat’s digestive system may have trouble adjusting to the oil, so they may get an upset stomach the first few times that they eat it.

In addition to digestive risks, cats may also experience health complications from eating food that is so high in fat. These complications may include pancreatitis, obesity, diarrhea, and more.

If your cat starts to experience any strange health symptoms when taking coconut oil, consult your vet and stop administering the oil until you understand the causes behind the symptoms.

If you have a cat that spends time outside or with other cats (or dogs), you may want to look into the benefits of using coconut oil to help them prevent or treat a flea infestation. Not only is coconut oil easy to find and affordable, it also smells pleasant and is safe to have around your pets (and kids).

Read more: Flea Collars for Cats

Before you apply any treatment to your cat, though, make sure you take him to the vet. Your vet can assess any health situation and ensure that you’re taking care of it properly. He can also suggest any other treatments for fleas, as well as recommend other helpful ways for you to combat infestations or treat a cat’s discomfort once he has the pesky parasites.

Other Great Benefits of Using Coconut Oil on Your Pets (Besides Flea Control)

Your pet will benefit from a lustrous, moisturized coat after a coconut bath. Coconut oil has a high concentration of vitamin C, which hydrates dry skin and promotes a healthy, lustrous coat.

• It will leave your pet with a pleasant scent.
• Coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory qualities that prevent existing flea bites from getting infected and irritated. It will even assist in the healing of things like hot spots and bug bites and stings.
• Coconut oil can assist with a variety of skin conditions that your pet may be suffering; a daily application of coconut oil can alleviate dry, itchy skin, dermatitis, and eczema. It will also assist with dry, cracked paws and elbows, and if your pet has allergies and is constantly gnawing at its paws, the oil will calm and mend them.
• It has the ability to destroy fungi and different parasites.

FAQ

How long does it take coconut oil to kill fleas on cats?

Lauric acid kills fleas in 20 seconds, making it an effective treatment for mild flea infestation.

Will coconut oil kill flea eggs?

Although it cannot harm the eggs, the larvae are just as sensitive to the oil as the adults. Other ways for killing flea eggs can be used.

What kind of coconut oil kills fleas?

Cold-pressed, unrefined, and bleach-free fractionated coconut oil for cats fleas contains powerful therapeutic effects that are beneficial to both cats and dogs. It is white and does not discolor the fur, and its mild consistency makes it the finest cure for any form of skin irritation.

Written by Katie King, writer for http://www.allivet.com

Allivet provides affordable pet supplies and pet medications, all of which can be purchased online.