9 Best Natural Flea Treatments and Repellents for Cats – Reviews & Top Picks in 2024

Every pet owner knows that tiny fleas can be a big nuisance. Besides making your cat feel generally uncomfortable and itchy, fleas can cause skin and coat problems due to excessive scratching. They can also carry diseases and other parasites that can harm your cat’s overall health.

Fleas are annoying and potentially dangerous for owners too! They can live in your furniture, carpets, and floors and can bite humans. The key to getting rid of them is to treat not only your pet but also your home. However, despite being effective, chemical flea treatments can cause respiratory problems or illness if they are inhaled or ingested.

Natural flea treatments and repellents may be the way to go if you want a solution that’s free of some of those harsher chemicals used in several commercial products. We rounded up the best natural flea treatments and repellents for cats, complete with reviews of each. If you’re looking for something that will protect your cat against fleas, hopefully, you can find a product that works for you.

A Glimpse at Our Favorites in 2024

The 9 Best Natural Flea Treatments and Repellents for Cats

We think that Ark Naturals Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! Dog & Cat Spray spray is the best overall natural flea treatment and repellent for cats because, for starters, it is veterinarian-recommended, which says something about the quality and effectiveness of this product. It uses natural botanical ingredients, such as geraniol, a type of plant oil that comes from geraniums and other plants, and eugenol, another name for clove oil. This spray also contains peppermint and along with geraniol and eugenol, these ingredients work to treat and keep fleas away due to the strong smell that fleas don’t like.

This spray is great for cats with sensitive skin, and it leaves behind a refreshing scent. It’s also affordable and easy to use. However, even though the spray is diluted and the ingredients are regarded as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration, peppermint oil can still pose a risk for cats if it is ingested in large amounts. It’s very important to use the product only as intended, and not overspray your cat.  As long as you follow the directions that are specified in the bottle, your cat’s flea problem should diminish.

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The best natural flea treatment and repellent for cats for the money is the Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray for Cats. Not only is this spray budget friendly, but it is also easy to use and can be used safely with other flea treatments without compromising their effectiveness. This spray kills fleas on contact and helps keep them away for up to 7 days. It also repels mosquitoes and flies.

The natural ingredients in this spray are cinnamon, clove, and cedar oils, which kill and repel fleas without harmful chemicals. Again, some of these ingredients can make your cat sick if they are ingested. It’s very important to use the spray as intended, and don’t overspray your cat or use it more often than necessary.

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Cedarcide Original Biting Insect Dog & Cat Spray is a great natural flea spray for cats, and it is made with ingredients like cedarwood oil and soybean oil. Before applying it to your cat, you should test for sensitivity with a light application. Of course, you should still follow the instructions carefully and not overexpose your cat to the spray. In addition to fleas, the spray can also treat and repel ticks, mosquitos, bed bugs, ants, and mites.

Not only can this spray be used topically on your cat, but it can also be used on clothing, fabrics, and pretty much any surface inside your home (other than food preparation surfaces) to kill and help prevent fleas and other insect infestations. It won’t stain fabrics or upholstery either. The only downside is that this spray is pricey, which is why it is listed as our premium product. But it is available in different sizes if you only need to treat your pet instead of your whole home, which can save you a little money.

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You have to be careful using any kind of flea treatment on kittens, even natural ones, due to their immune system and other parts of their little bodies not being completely developed yet. Since even natural flea treatments can contain some ingredients that can be harmful to cats if ingested (in this case, cinnamon and clove), it’s important to use products that reduce a kitten’s risk of ingestion. That’s why we like Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Shampoo for Cats as the best natural flea treatment for kittens.

Being a shampoo, this product is designed to be rinsed off instead of staying on your kitten’s skin, which reduces the chances that your kitten will ingest it. Plus, it’s a lot easier to bathe a kitten than it is to bathe an adult cat. As long as it is used as intended, this product is gentle and safe to use on kittens, and it can work with other flea treatments as well. The only downside is that it may not be completely safe to use for newborn kittens or kittens that are less than a couple of months old, so ask your vet before you use it on kittens that are really young.

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Before we dive into our review of this product, here’s a disclaimer: Hartz Nature’s Shield Natural Flea & Tick Home Spray is not intended to be used directly on your pet. You may wish to use it in conjunction with a topical spray or shampoo that can be used on your pet. This spray is designed to be sprayed around your home and kill fleas that may be living in your rugs, carpets, blankets, upholstery, and even your pet’s bedding to help kill and prevent fleas once your pet has been treated.

With that being said, killing fleas around your house is part of the treatment process. Otherwise, they’ll just find their way back on your cat, and it’ll be even harder to get rid of them. As far as killing and preventing fleas around your house, this product is very effective. It kills adult fleas, flea eggs and larvae, and even ticks and mosquitos. It can be used outdoors as well.

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If you want a spray that is safe to use on your cat and their bedding, consider Natural Chemistry Pet & Bedding Spray for Cats. This natural spray contains cinnamon and cottonseed oil, and it can be used safely on both adult cats and kittens, as long as the directions are followed. It does contain cinnamon, so make sure not to overspray your cat or let them ingest the spray. In addition to fleas, this product can also help kill ticks if your cat goes outside.

It’s worth noting that this spray may not do much to prevent fleas from coming back, as it is designed to kill them more than repel them. It kills fleas on contact, but if you don’t use another treatment in addition to this spray, it may not stop the fleas from returning. Spraying it on your cat’s bedding can also help reduce fleas, but again, it may not repel them completely. But it can help give your cat some immediate relief.

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Miracle Care Naturally Formulated Flea & Tick Upholstery Spray is another natural flea treatment spray that is designed to be used mainly on upholstery. We recommend that you ask your vet before using it directly on your cat if you have a kitten, an older cat, or a cat with a medical condition.

The spray can be used both indoors and outdoors in areas where you’ve seen fleas or where fleas like to hide, as it kills fleas on contact. It’s safe to use on fabrics and upholstery. In addition to fleas, this spray can also work on other insects, including ticks, flies, ants, cockroaches, and silverfish. But since it’s designed more for use on upholstery than it is for use directly on your pets, you may wish to use another flea prevention and treatment method along with this one.

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First things first, Flea Away Flea & Tick Oral Treatment for Dogs & Cats is an oral tablet that is designed to be ingested by your cat. It’s very important that you speak to your vet first to make sure that it is safe and okay to use for your cat depending on their age and any health conditions. With that being said, the product itself is a flea treatment and vitamin supplement that works by masking the smell of carbon dioxide when your cat ingests it by using a combination of vitamins that are safe for your cat.

Carbon dioxide plays a role in attracting fleas to your cat, so the idea is that by masking it, the fleas won’t bite even if they do get on your cat. Because of this, the tablet also helps to reduce sores, scabs, and dermatitis caused by flea bites. Each tablet is liver flavored to make it more enticing to your cat. The dosage recommends giving your cat one tablet per day with food, but again, ask your vet first to make sure it’s okay. Since your cat is supposed to take one per day, it may not be the most cost-effective method, especially if you have other cats. You may also need to use another method to treat fleas around your house so they don’t continue to multiply even if they aren’t on your cat.

• See also: Best Oral Flea Treatments for Cats

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9. Hartz Groomer’s Best Flea Comb for Dogs and Cats

If you want a product that is 100% safe and natural for treating fleas on your cat without any chemicals or essential oils, you can always just comb your cat’s fur regularly to remove fleas and their eggs. The Hartz Groomer’s Best Flea Comb for Dogs and Cats is a great tool for this, and it’s affordable. It will help reduce fleas temporarily. However, it will only do so much for actually treating and preventing fleas in the long run.

Using a flea comb is time consuming, especially on a cat that doesn’t want to be brushed in the first place. A flea comb can be very safe and effective for kittens, but it may not be as effective for adult cats, so you will likely have to use another flea treatment method. Plus, you will need to treat the fleas in your home if you want them to go away completely.

Buyer’s Guide: FAQs About Natural Flea Treatments

Now that you’ve seen our list of products and reviews for each one, you may have some more questions about natural flea treatments, including whether they are actually effective. We’ve tried to answer any questions that you may have in this FAQ section.

What Ingredients Are in Natural Flea Treatments?

Natural flea treatments contain “natural” ingredients, but what exactly does that mean? Chemical flea treatments often contain synthetic chemicals or ones that pose dangerous health risks to both our pets and us. Natural flea treatments aren’t necessarily chemical free, but they contain chemicals that are found in nature, and most are naturally produced by plants. Some natural flea treatments even contain vitamins and minerals, which are technically chemicals as well.

Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe?

Natural flea treatments are said to be safer than chemical flea treatments or even flea medications that contain chemicals in them. However, the chemicals in many natural flea treatments are essential oils that are produced by plants.

We mentioned in these reviews if a product contained cinnamon oil, clove oil, or peppermint oil, as these can pose a risk for cats if ingested. The reason is that cats lack certain enzymes in their liver and have a difficult time processing and expelling these essential oils from their bodies.

It’s worth noting that the essential oils used in flea and tick treatments are diluted with water, so they pose less of a risk. But essential oils can also be absorbed by your cat’s body, which is why it’s important to only use the products as directed and not overexpose your cat to the product. Even diluted products can be harmful to cats in large amounts.

You may be tempted to try to use more of the product at one time or use it more frequently if you don’t think it is working. But it’s important that you give the product time to work and follow the instructions carefully. Although natural flea treatments are safe, they can still cause problems if used incorrectly.

Are Natural Flea Treatments Effective?

Natural flea treatments work on the premise that they use ingredients that fleas don’t like the smell of.  It’s thought that fleas don’t like the smell of a lot of essential oils, including peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and lemongrass oil, for example.

However, unlike other flea treatments that are regulated by organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration or Environmental Protection Agency that ensure their effectiveness and safety, the essential oils in many natural flea treatments aren’t regulated nor have they been proven to prevent flea infestations.

There also isn’t sufficient evidence to prove that all-natural flea treatments are effective at actually killing fleas. Some of them may, but it ultimately depends on what the ingredients are. However, it’s possible that natural flea treatments are effective at least at repelling fleas temporarily, which is why it is necessary to reapply the products as per instructions and treat your house for fleas in addition to your cat.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Natural Flea Treatment?

It’s worth noting that any particular natural flea treatment may not work for everyone. What works for you may not work for someone else because it depends on how many fleas your cat has and whether you have an infestation in your home, as well as the ingredients of any particular product.

You need to consider your own situation and your cat’s needs. Even some natural flea treatments may not be safe if you have a younger or older cat or a cat with a certain medical condition. In any case, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet before starting any flea treatment, natural or otherwise.

Remember that when treating fleas, natural flea treatments work best if you treat not only your cat but also your house. If a natural treatment doesn’t work at effectively killing fleas, they will multiply and can still cause problems for you and your cat.

Most treatments can be used on both your cat and around your home, while some products are meant for use only around your home and others are meant for use only on your cat. You may end up buying more than one product if you want the fleas to be gone completely.

Conclusion

When used correctly, natural flea treatments can be both safe and effective. We think that the best natural flea treatment and repellent for cats overall is Ark Naturals Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! Spray. The best natural flea treatment and repellent for the money is Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray for Cats. Whatever product you choose from these reviews, we hope that it is effective for you. Remember, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet before applying anything to your cat (natural or not) if some of the ingredients are potentially harmful.

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Featured Image Credit: Vaillery, Shutterstock