Has anyone used Diatomaceous Earth ON your cats to control fleas? I would like to try this, but I am unsure about it. I need to treat four cats, and just can't afford to buy Advantage, etc. Any suggestions?
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Diatomaceous Earth
- Thread starter marie846
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I have used it, not for fleas but internal parasites. Worked like a charm.
However, with Diatomaceous Earth you MUST make sure it is food grade. Even if you don’t plan for them to injest it, getting it in their coat could easily transfer via licking.
Avoid eyes, nose. Also mouth (unless you want to give some internally).
For ears I mix it up with a tiny bit of water and put it in using a syringe, this was taught to me by a vet for earmites.
Since you are dealing with fleas you will also need to spread some around any carpeting you have. Put a good amount on the carpet and use a broom to spread it. Keep in mind your carpet will turn slightly white temporarily.
It will kill any insect as well like ants, centipedes, etc. I put it by all of my windows and doors and never see bugs anymore.
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- #3
Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I have the food grade. My son just put it on our dog, now it's my turn to do the cats. Out of my four, only one won't try to trar me up. I have to do something for these poor babies. We are in the process of moving, and regular treatments are out of reach for me right now.
I have heard diatomaceous earth can be used to kill fleas. Having your cat ingest it is more for deworming.
DE will not kill flea eggs, so you will have to consistently repeat the treatment of your house, and your cats. The article below discusses what you will need to do - and, while it doesn't specify the food grade DE, as
FelisCatus
says, it is the only safe form to be used around/on cats.
Natural Flea Control for Cats with Diatomaceous Earth
DE will not kill flea eggs, so you will have to consistently repeat the treatment of your house, and your cats. The article below discusses what you will need to do - and, while it doesn't specify the food grade DE, as
FelisCatus
says, it is the only safe form to be used around/on cats.Natural Flea Control for Cats with Diatomaceous Earth
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- #5
It is an irritant to the respiratory system so be careful if you use it. Truthfully after using it once on my carpets, I would never use it again. It worked BUT it destroyed my vacuum cleaner. I would never use it on a pets coat because of the danger of inhaling it.
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- #7
I have not used it yet on the cats. I was going to at least treat the carpet but I had also learned that it tears up filtered vacuum cleaners. I'm trying to find someone with a shop vac that I can borrow. The respiratory factor is also giving me second thoughts. I think I may change my mind and not use it. Why does flea treatment have to be so expensive?! I could afford it before I became disabled due to a stroke. Thank you all for your feedback!
I order my flea treatment from Canada instead of buying in the states. It is cheaper ( but still expensive).
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- #9
Ok, now I am ticked off! I have the misfortune of having to live with my daughter and her husband. I was sitting at my desk in my room eating breakfast, and she came in and proceeded to put the DE on my cats, one of which was laying on the desk. She did it so quickly that I doubt she did a very thorough job. I just hope they will be alright. Thank you all!
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- #10
Can you tell me the company name? I would like to check that out.
You might also want to consider buying Advantage II for dogs, and splitting the dosage for the cats. Here is another thread on this site about doing so. Just be careful about the dosing. It is from 2017, but still should be applicable. I thought there was a more recent thread but I am having trouble finding it.
Splitting Advantage ii doses?
Splitting Advantage ii doses?
Here is the site I order from: Dog Supplies | Cat Supplies | Pet Supplies & Pet Care Products from BudgetPetWorld.com
I do order the largest dog size and divide it among the cats BUT I use a formula given to me by my previous vet to figure correct dosage. I would never have attempted it without her approval.
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- #13
Thank you so much!! They have Activyl! I used to use this, and it worked so well. The only place I have found it is twice as expensive. I might be able to get this when I get my disability check next month. I am so excited! Thanks again!!
I do this with Frontline Plus.
I wouldn't because it's not safe to inhale it, either for you or for your pets
There are ways to get rid of fleas without chemicals of any kind.
I got rid of them on my cats several years ago when we had an infestation using boiling water and dawn. Comb the cat, dip the comb in the water, wipe it off. Repeat. It worked.
There are ways to get rid of fleas without chemicals of any kind.
I got rid of them on my cats several years ago when we had an infestation using boiling water and dawn. Comb the cat, dip the comb in the water, wipe it off. Repeat. It worked.
You know Diatomaceous Earth isn't a chemical right? You can give it orally for internal parasites and people can take it too.
Yes, but when I got some food grade to put down to try to get of some bugs they said I should wear a mask when I put it down and it can get in your lungs. I can't see why I would want to feed this to anyone. If it is killing parasites, it's doing damage to the cat/dog/person too, I should think. And it didn't get rid of the bugs I was trying to get rid of. Maybe I just like to err on the side of caution, but I would rather get rid of the fleas without using any of that stuff.
well if I was to choose to put diatomaceous earth or boiling water on my cat, I'd choose DE ;-)
I used to take DE myself and you can easily avoid inhaling it especially that usually you dilute it with water. It doesn't kill parasites in a way chemicals do, it damages them mechanically. Having said so, I also would be afraid to put it externally on a cat - if I had to I'd use e-collar and make sure cat's face is well protected. I have also heard it is very effective for fleas.
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- #19
DE is harmful to inhale because it is like tiny shards of glass. The sharp edges cut the exoskeleton of fleas and roaches killing them. You also shouldn't vacuum it up with a filtered vacuum. It can damage the machine.
Yes for sure you have to be careful you don't inhale it. Just like any powder (makeup, if you are sanding something, baby powder, etc which are all usually full of chemicals) But DE is made up of a naturally occurring sediment of fossilized algae. It helps strengthen bone, hair, nails, it also helps gut health and cleanses the walls of the intestines and digestive tract, it helps cholesterol and constipation. It also "mops up" parasites, toxins, bacteria, etc in the bodies of humans and animals.
The bottom line is that it has so many positive qualities and it is very easy for you and your pets to avoid inhaling it. You can wear one of those masks if you are really concerned and the powder doesn't have to get anywhere near the pets. Or just do it very carefully and put it on their fur.
But to each his own. I don't care if you use it or not I am merely stating its benefits
