Homemade Flea Repellent Soap for Cats

Repel fleas with a special liquid soap formula.

Fleas may seem like a normal part of being a cat owner, but they are actually carriers of diseases. These parasites can transmit tapeworms, typhus, and even the bubonic plague. Once you spot fleas on your cat, you can create a simple homemade repellent soap using ordinary household liquids. Using liquid soap is best because you can also add essential oils to the soap that will repel fleas from biting your cat in the future.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup mild dish soap
• 1 cup spring water
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops cedar essential oil
• Empty dish soap bottle
• Lukewarm water
• Bucket

Instructions

1. Measure and pour 1 cup of mild dish soap, 1 cup of spring water, and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in your empty dish soap bottle.

2. Drip in 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and 10 drops cedar essential oil to repel any future fleas that may come in contact with your cat.

3. Place the cap on the empty dish soap bottle and shake until the ingredients are combined.

4. Set your cat in an empty tub and use lukewarm water from a bucket to apply the homemade flea soap. Leave it on the cat for 5 minutes, then rinse. This is less scary to your cat than trying to set it in a bathtub of running water.

Tips & Warnings

• Rosemary and lemongrass essential oils are also natural flea repellents if you would rather use them instead of the peppermint or cedar essential oils.

• Your cat may scratch when it gets scared. Have a friend or family member help you hold down your cat while you bathe it if need be.

References

• Pet Education: Fleas: Life Cycle, Anatomy & Disease Transmission in Cats
• All Pets Info: Flea Shampoo
• The Whole Dog: Essential Oils as Flea Repellents