Does Cedar Oil Kill Fleas? - Explained by Science

Fleas and ticks are more than a seasonal inconvenience. They are present year-round in many places and pose serious health risks.

Chemical flea and tick preventatives are abundant. However, as a modern pet owner, chances are you want a natural solution. Cedar oil is your answer.

In this article, we will explain the anti-flea properties of cedar oil, from mechanisms of action to safety to use instructions.

What Is Cedar Oil?

Cedar oil is an essential oil derived from the foliage, wood, roots, or stumps of various conifer trees, primarily within the pine (Pinaceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae) families.

Cedar oil, also known as cedarwood oil, is extracted through different processes, including CO2 distillation, cold pressing, or steam distillation.

“In ancient times, cedar wood was used as a traditional medicine to treat many diseases,” says a study. It has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties and remains widely used.

The exact properties of cedar oil depend on the type. Atlas cedarwood, Himalayan cedarwood, Texas cedarwood, and Virginian cedarwood are the top options.

Atlas cedarwood is the best for managing fleas in dogs. It kills fleas but lacks lasting residual efficacy, necessitating frequent reapplication.

A 2024 study showed that the anti-flea effect of cedar is “comparable to that of fipronil.” Fipronil is one of the most commonly used chemicals in topical anti-flea products for pets.

How Cedar Oil Works Against Fleas?

Cedar oil works against fleas in several ways, including:

Hormonal Disruption: Cedar wood has the unique ability to disrupt flea pheromones. Pheromones are chemicals fleas use for mating, food searching, navigation, and body function control. When the pheromones are disrupted, the flea is disoriented and likely to die.
Dehydration: Fleas and many other bugs are sensitive to moisture loss. This is where cedar oil kicks in. Cedar oil is very potent in leaching water from the flea’s body, leaving it dry or dehydrated. Dehydrated fleas die.
Emulsification: The process of breaking down fat particles is called emulsification. The flea stores fat in its body as an energy source. Cedar oil disintegrates the fat storage of the flea into smaller, more fluid fat particles, attacking the flea from the inside.
Dissolution: The earlier flea stages, such as eggs and larvae, are more vulnerable, and cedar oil is able to dissolve them following prolonged exposure. Cedar oil is also shown to dissolve the exoskeleton of adult fleas.
Suffocation: Cedar oil disrupts the fleas’ ability to breathe. Fleas breathe through small openings (called spiracles) located on the surface of their bodies. If exposed to cedar oil, they close their openings to protect themselves, but this ultimately prevents them from breathing.
Altered Chemistry: Every living organism needs to maintain a chemical balance to stay alive. Cedar oil neutralizes the flea’s body acidity, throwing it out of balance. With altered chemistry, the flea is unable to live and dies.

Is Cedar Oil Safe for Pets and Humans?

Yes, cedar oil is safe for pets and humans. It is “designated ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ (GRAS) by the US Food & Drug Administration,” explains a study published in 2022.

Cedar oil is safe when used correctly. Correctly refers to two primary principles. First, it must be diluted. Second, it needs to be used externally - on the pet’s skin or in diffusers.

Used incorrectly, cedar oil can cause skin irritation or, if inhaled, lung irritation and breathing difficulties. If ingested, cedar oil is toxic and causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Dogs and humans handle cedar oil well. Cats, however, are more sensitive. The cat’s liver does not produce adequate amounts of the enzyme glucuronyl transferase. The enzyme is vital for m

When the phenols are not properly metabolized, they build up in the cat’s body, leading to toxic levels. Cedar oil is among the generally safe oils for cats; however, it should be used with a vet’s approval.

How to Use Cedar Oil for Flea Control?

There are two main ways og using cedar oil for flea control:

Prepare a Homemade Spray: To prepare a DIY cedar oil spray, dilute the oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut or olive oil) and mix it with water. The recommended dilution ratio is 10 to 15 drops of cedar oil per ounce of carrier or water. Treat the pet weekly or after it gets wet for ongoing protection.
Buy Ready-Made Products: Get a product from FurLife. The brand makes effective, natural, and safe anti-flea and tick products for pets. Cedar oil is an active ingredient in the formulas. FurLife’s tag kills and repels bugs for 12 months, and the collar for eight. The lasting residual effect of these treatments makes them very practical.

Pros and Cons of Using Cedar Oil for Fleas

Like any other product, natural or chemical, cedar oil for flea control has pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at both sides.

Pros:

Natural: The main advantage of cedar oil for pest control is that it is natural. Exposure to chemicals is a growing concern for both modern pets and humans.
Non-Toxic: Cedar oil is considered safe for pets when used correctly - in diluted forms and externally (topically).
Versatile Efficacy: In addition to acting against fleas and ticks, cedar oil deters spiders, flies, gnats, and mosquitoes.
Eco-Friendly: Cedar oil is biodegradable, with a minimal ecological footprint. Chemical anti-flea treatments, in contrast, leach and pollute the environment.
Pleasant Scent: Cedar oil has a woody scent with a citrus undertone, which is pleasant for people. The same cannot be said for all chemical anti-flea products.
Affordable: Cedar oil is used in a diluted form. It may seem expensive at first, but a small bottle of cedar oil will last a long time.

Cons:

Lacks Residual Efficacy: Cedar oil does not have a lasting repellent effect and must be used repeatedly to ensure ongoing flea repulsion.
Skin Irritation: In pets with extremely sensitive skin and a tendency towards allergies, cedar oil can cause skin irritation.
Potential Toxicity: Cedar oil can be toxic to pets, but only if misused - applied undiluted, in copious amounts, or given orally.
Not Universally Suitable: Essential oils are not universally recommended for cats since they lack certain liver enzymes necessary for their breakdown.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Making anti-pest concoctions with cedar oil is more challenging than getting a natural product already infused with the essential oil. FurLife’s line of anti-flea and tick products is the best.

Customers are happy with the products’ efficacy and safety, as well as the range of options - from collars and tags to shampoos and sprays.

Here are some of the reviews customers leave regarding FurLife’s products.

“This product is a lifesaver.”

“The best flea and tick product on the market.”

“A game changer for pet owners.”

Customers are boasting about the affordability of FurLife’s products. They say they are excellent investments. Many note they have already recommended them to friends and family.

Conclusion

Cedar oil is an excellent natural alternative to chemical anti-flea products for pets. FurLife’s line of efficient, natural, and pet-safe products for pets uses cedar oil as an integral active ingredient.

Choose between the cedar oil-based collars, tags, sprays, and shampoos based on what is best for your pet and easiest for you to use.