While there are a number of products that work great at killing fleas, they are often very harsh on animals due to the ingredients used in them. For many pet parents, this makes those products a no go. There are simply some animals that are extremely sensitive to products like this.
If your dog or cat is one of these pets, then you might be having a tough time dealing with your flea problems. You can’t just let this issue go unchecked, fleas can cause some nasty problems that can negatively impact your pet’s health.
However, you can’t use topical flea treatments either without your pets breaking out into awful rashes or getting lethargic and stick! That’s why in this article, we’re going to talk about a great alternative to these treatments and talk about how to use cedar oil for fleas on cats and dogs!
What’s cedar oil and why should I use it on my dog or cat?
Cedar oil is an amazing, all-natural product that can be used to kill fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and even bed bugs! It’s a natural oil that’s derived from different trees in the pine and cypress families.
While traditional pest control products contain ingredients which can be incredibly harsh to certain animals, cedar oil can be safely used around cats, dogs, kids and even beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
That’s because cedar oil is not a poison like other pest control products. It simply messes with their pheromones, and bees and butterflies don’t function the same way as pest insects. This allows cedar oil to be used safely to rid your yard and home of fleas, ticks and mosquitoes without harming pollinators.
The bugs that we’re targeting rely on octopamine for their normal bodily functions like breathing and reproduction. Cedar oil blocks their receptors, and these pests quickly die off as a result.
Mammals are completely unaffected by cedar oil in any way which makes it great for furry family members who are sensitive to topical flea treatments, or if you have small children who could potentially get into poisons and hurt themselves.
Cedar oil also has another benefit for dog owners in particular. Most pet pest control products do not target mosquitoes, which can be very dangerous to dogs due to heart worms. Cedar oil helps to repel and can even kill problem mosquito populations.
How do you use cedar oil for flea control?
It’s easy to use cedar oil as a natural flea control in your home or directly on your pets. Part of what makes cedar oil such an ideal solution is its versatility. Here’s how to use it to protect your family!
How to use cedar oil on your dog or cat
Cedar oil can be applied directly to your cat or dog’s fur. Here’s how to do it.
1. Lightly mist your pet’s coat
Start by using a cedar oil spray to lightly mist their coat. Make sure to get it on their entire body, including their tail and between their toes. Lightly massage the cedar oil into their coat, between their toes, and under their belly.
2. Carefully apply cedar oil to their face
Spray a small amount of cedar oil into your hands, and then gently apply it to your pet’s face. Make sure you don’t get any in their eyes, but don’t forget to get around them and their ears as well to protect these sensitive areas from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.
3. Re-apply every 7 days for continued protection
Cedar oil should last around a week, and then you’ll need to apply more to continue to protect them from biting bugs. While this isn’t quite as convenient as the ‘set it and forget it’ method of fleas collars, it is a more natural approach, and it could be the only real option for sensitive pets.
How to use cedar oil everywhere else
In addition to using cedar oil directly on your pets it can also be a great all around pest control solution. You can spray it around your kitchen, on your carpets, in your garden, on your lawn and anywhere else to deter annoying insects.
For outdoor use, many products come with a hose sprayer attachment to make it easy to treat large areas of your yard at one time. While this product won’t harm any of your natural flora and fauna, you should be aware that sometimes it can cause plant burn if you apply it when it’s about 90 degrees outside. Otherwise, it shouldn’t be a problem.
For inside the house, you can use the same spray bottle that you used for the dog and cat. Just lightly mist areas where you fear there may be fleas eggs or pests hiding out like furniture, rugs or carpets. You can even treat your counters without fear of contaminating food preparation surfaces.
What about other natural pest control products?
While there are some other natural pest control products which are often marketed as being “for dogs and cats” you should avoid them. This includes things like peppermint and citronella.
Even though they are natural, these items are actually toxic to dogs and cats and can make them very sick. While some people argue that they are okay in small amounts, rest assured that your pets hate these things, and using them will stress out your animals. Cedar oil is the better option for them.
However, if you are also worried about internal parasites, then you could consider diatomaceous earth, which can be used for fleas and ticks as well. It works slightly differently, by creating tiny cuts in insect’s external membranes, causing them to dry up and die.
It is safe for dogs and cats and also all-natural, but the application is much messier. It’s rather dusty, and the application for fleas is not nearly as clean as cedar oil, but if you put some in your dog’s food it can kill worms though.
