Fleas are annoying and pest little insects that can affect cats and other pets . If not taken in time, these can also infest the common spaces ; or those places where the animal stays and rests: kennel, sofa, carpets.

>   1. What are fleas

>   2.  Symptoms of flea infestation in cats

>   3.  Cat fleas: natural cures and remedies

>   4. Natural advice

Fleas are animals of the order of the Afanìtteri . Small in size, they are wingless insects that use the ability to jump to move from one animal to another.

Fleas are red or brown in color, have hair and a sclerified outer membrane and have a mouth apparatus capable of piercing the skin of the animal that hosts them and then sucking their blood .  

Fleas are quite dangerous animals. In fact, in addition to causing damage directly , through stings, itching and frequent cases of allergic reactions (due to the saliva that the insect releases with the bite) they can also be harmful indirectly . 

In fact, fleas are often vectors of diseases, due to viruses and bacteria that can be contained in their excrement, regurgitation and in general also in saliva. 

When a flea bites a host, it causes persistent itching , following which it is natural to scratch a lot. This very action can cause wounds and the spread of infectious agents. 

On the cat , fleas can be detected by using a magnifying glass and looking for traces of the insect, rummaging through the cat’s fur.

A sign of their existence on our 4-legged friend is undoubtedly the presence of small fixed dark grains (excrements). To recognize fleas, however, it is good to know their size (about 2 mm) and color (reddish-brown).

You can make a flea repellent yourself at home with different essential oils. These mixtures will have to be applied on the fur of the cats bypassing the area of ​​the eyes, nose and mouth.

These can be prepared at home simply by mixing a few drops (3 or 4 are enough) of essential oil of peppermint (not surprisingly also called flea grass) to a vegetable oil, such as olive oil  or  sweet almond oil . ). This compound should be massaged into the cat’s skin.

Another infallible and natural remedy against fleas is neem oil , which is easily found in herbalists, it is applied a few drops directly on the cat’s hair.

Then there are supplements that act directly on the animal’s skin and have an unpleasant effect for parasites, such as  garlic  or  brewer’s yeast tablets .

It is good to do a deep cleaning of the floors and especially of carpets and rugs, using steam machines if possible.

Furthermore, always keep the rooms where the cat usually stays clean, so that the parasites cannot take root.

A completely natural remedy is to put salt in the cat’s pillows, floor and mat , this will dehydrate the fleas and kill them quickly.