Neem for Fleas on Cats
Flea season is a common time of dread among cat owners. No one wants to expose their household pet to harsh and harmful chemicals when combating fleas. For those pet owners who prefer a more natural and homeopathic alternative, neem oil is an excellent choice. It can safely and effectively be applied to cats to control fleas.
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What is Neem?
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The neem tree, which is native to southern Asia, has been used for centuries as a source of medical, cosmetic and insecticidal products. From the neem tree come derivatives such as pesticides, oils and soaps. As a naturally occurring insecticidal product, neem products are safe and can be used to combat fleas in cats. Although many people don't find the smell of neem products appealing, they can be mixed with other cat-safe products to mask the odor.
How to Apply
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Neem oil is the one of the better options for application on cats. Care should be taken in selecting a neem oil product that does not contain essential oils such as tea tree oil, because these are not good for cats. Neem oil can be purchased as 100 percent pure, and can easily be mixed with shampoo products that are specifically intended for cats. The pure oil can be diluted and sprayed directly onto your cat's fur. The neem oil can be used undiluted as well, but is not recommended to be sprayed over the entire body of your cat. Apply several drops directly onto the skin between your cat's shoulder blades.
Another application alternative is to use neem leaves. The leaves can be made into a tea and then used as a dip or a spray.
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How it Works
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The active insecticidal ingredient in neem derivatives is azadirachtin, an insecticidal ingredient that interferes with hormone productions and prevents the insect from molting. When the insect cannot molt, the life cycle is broken and reproduction ends.
Is it Safe?
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Extensive studies were performed to test the amount of irritation and toxicity caused by neem products. According to the EPA, when used as directed, neither neem oil nor azadirachtin are expected to harm non-insect organisms.
Considerations
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While it is important to treat the cat with neem oil on a consistent basis during flea season--ideally every seven to 10 days--it's also critical to treat areas of the home where the cat spends time, such as bedding. A diluted spray concentration works well to combat fleas in these areas.
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References
- Photo Credit cat image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
