Does Lemon Juice Kill Fleas on Cats? - Myth or True?

A very common DIY item is lemon juice. There are posts on the net where lemon juice is used as a substitute for bleach for natural highlights in hair, others where it's used to make tie-dye shirts. But, as a cat parent, you've probably seen the most posts about lemon juice against fleas in cats.

It sounds appealing - lemon juice is a natural, inexpensive, and pleasant-smelling ingredient that everyone has at home. But, those traits don’t hide the fact that lemon juice isn’t as safe and effective. Many vets consider lemon juice unsafe for cats. 

In this article, we will bust the myth: "Does lemon juice kill fleas on cats?" using science and explore vet-approved natural alternatives to it, like Furlifes flea products for cats.

Why Cats Are Different

Cats and dogs aren't the same. They process chemicals differently and are generally more sensitive in comparison to dogs. An additional concern is their grooming habits, which can make any product applied to their skin a potential health hazard. Spraying lemon juice on their fur increases their chance of licking and ingesting it.

Aside from their grooming, cats have delicate and thin skin, which something acidic like lemon juice could irritate and burn. Two compounds in lemon juice cause burns: limonene and citric acid.

However, similar to dogs, they are both sensitive to smell. Lemon juice has a potent smell, which cats naturally dislike. Spraying them with lemon juice may cause them discomfort or anxiety.

So, after learning about cat biology - using lemon juice to get rid of fleas doesn't sound as harmless as it first seemed?

Lemon Juice Myth Debunked

There are many blogs and forums where people recommend using diluted lemon juice as a home flea remedy. Let's see what experts say about using lemon juice for fleas in cats:

• Catster rated lemon juice a 5/10 as a home remedy, noting the harmful ingredients limonene and psoralens, which are toxic to cats. They cause nausea, tremors, vomiting, and other side effects.

• MedicineNet states that it may repel a few adult fleas, but does nothing for the other life stages.

• PetMD advises that any directly applied citrus-based treatments can cause skin irritation and toxicity (if ingested) to your cat.

Key takeaways:

• Lemon juice may deter a few adult fleas at best, doing nothing to the other life cycles like egg, larvae, and pupae.

• The compounds in lemon juice, such as limonene and psoralens, are toxic to cats if ingested.

• Cats are sensitive to the smell of lemon juice, and it may make them anxious.

• To achieve the best results, it needs to be sprayed daily, which is both unsafe and impractical.

Quick Flea Biology Overview (Life Cycle)

To eliminate fleas, it's essential to understand their biology. Most of us know only the adult form of fleas - little dark brown insects which crawl in your cat's fur and feed on their blood. 

Before becoming an adult, fleas begin as eggs, the first stage of their life cycle. Their eggs are laid on your cat, but they fall off into the environment. There, they become larvae. Just as eggs, larvae hide in dark places in the environment. 

Carpets, beddings, and floor cracks are the most common hiding locations. As the larvae grow, they develop into pupae. The pupae wrap themself in a cocoon and lie dormant, being resistant to most treatments. When the pupae senses warmth or vibration, it "rips" and reveals an adult flea - ready to annoy your cat. 

To eliminate fleas, all four life stages must be targeted. At best, there are rare cases where cat owners manage to eliminate adult fleas. That means it doesn't prevent your cat from becoming infested again, nor does it address the other life stages. That means a reinfection is almost guaranteed if proper treatment is not implemented.

Vet-Recommended Flea Control for Cats

If you are dealing with a flea infestation, veterinarians recommend certain methods. These methods are both safe and tailored for cats, meaning that there is a rare chance of side effects occurring.

Prescription Preventives

Prescription preventives are special medical treatments. This is the most common type of treatment that vets recommend when dealing with pests. There are more types of preventatives, but they mostly come in either oral or topical form.

Disclaimer: Never use products intended for dogs on a cat. They often contain different, more potent ingredients which are toxic to cats!

Flea Combing & Bathing

Using a fine-toothed flea comb catches both adult fleas and flea eggs, which are in your cat's fur. It is advised to dip the comb in soapy water after brushing, so that the fleas drown.

Another method that boosts the speed of the treatment is giving your cat baths. Some cat owners swear that bathing your cat in dish soap, especially Dawn dish soap, also helps in removing fleas. However, bathing a cat, whether with dish soap or specialized shampoo for fleas, should be done once a week to prevent the risk of skin irritation or allergy.

While this is not a flea solution, as it doesn't kill any, it is very useful in monitoring the number of fleas and seeing the effect of the vet-approved treatment. 

Environment Treatment

The fleas on your cat are only a small fraction of the overall infestation. Approximately 99% of the infestation is found in the cat's environment, including their toys, bedding, carpets, and furniture.

By keeping a habit of regularly cleaning your home, the infestation becomes both easier to control and faster to clear entirely. Veterinarians recommend vacuuming daily. The sound of the vacuum cleaner makes pupae hatch, but since there isn't a food source, they die out.

It is also advisable to wash both your bedding and your cat's bedding in hot water, while carpets and furniture should be steam cleaned. After steaming, some people use diatomaceous earth.

However, instead of using diatomaceous earth and then vacuuming again, there is a safer and easier alternative: using Furlife's products, which protect not just against fleas, but also ticks.

Furlife Products: Where They Fit

If you are looking for an easy but effective way to protect yoy cat from fleas, without any guesswork, turn to Furlife. Furlife's products are developed alongside veterinarians and target all stages of the flea's life cycle. They are made specifically for cats and are easy to use.

We have a wide range of products, making it easy to choose something which suits both your lifestyle and your cats, such as:

• FurLife™ - 12 Months Flea and Tick Tags for Cats - both a trendy accessory for your cat's collar and a strong deterrent against external parasites. Available in 6 colors!

• FurLife™ - 8 Months Flea and Tick Collar for Cats - a waterproof collar, which can be sized up to a snuggle fit for your cat. It protects against all life stages of both fleas and ticks.

• Enviromental spray.
  
  

Safe Supportive Tips (DIY—but gentle)

Other natural options are safer for your cat instead of lemon juice. Some of these options include:

• Comb your cat daily with a flea comb, with soapy water nearby to drown the fleas.

• Vacuuming daily and washing your cat's bedding.

• Apply cat-safe diatomaceous earth in places where your cat doesn't lick themselves.

• Consider buying FurLifes Environment spray for a boost in environmental control against fleas.

They are not a replacement, but using these methods as an addition to vet-approved flea treatments can make it easier to get rid of fleas faster.

FAQs

Does spraying diluted lemon juice on cats harm them?

Yes, both undiluted and diluted lemon juice can be harmful to your cat. They contain limonene and psoralens, which, if ingested, cause skin irritation, vomiting, and other toxic side effects. 

Can lemon eliminate flea eggs? 

No. It has no effects on the egg, larva, and pupae stages, while it only repels or stuns adult fleas.

Are there any natural remedies effective for cats?

There are only a few natural remedies, such as diatomaceous earth or bathing your cat in Dawn dish soap, but it is always better to apply natural, vet-approved products on your cat.

How long to eliminate fleas?

With a comprehensive treatment plan, which includes vet-approved medication, household cleaning, and regular monitoring, it typically takes around 8-12 weeks.

Why choose Furlife? 

Furlife is a company that utilizes science and veterinary knowledge in creating natural products that effectively deter fleas for an extended period. Our products are safe for both people and pets, offering peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

At first thought, lemon juice may seem like a cheap fix for dealing with fleas in cats, but with a little science, it becomes clear how risky it is. It doesn't kill fleas, nor does it repel them; if ingested by your cat, it may even make them sick.

Instead, it is always better to use solutions specifically designed for cats and tested by veterinarians. These products target fleas at all life stages and protect against new infestations of fleas attacking your cat. Most importantly, they are made considering the anatomy and physiology of your cat!

So what are you waiting for? Offer peace of mind and an itchless life to both you and your cat by investing in sure-proof products, like FurLife! Browse our catalog here and choose what suits your cat best - a pendat, dollar, or maybe a flea spray!