February 18, 2009

Dear Obie,
I live in a small town in north Florida, where we have a real problem with fleas. My kitty, Osmond, is an indoor-only kitty, but he still gets fleas. I don't like to use chemicals or flea collars, so do you know of any natural remedies for fleas?
Signed, Alyssa
Old Town, Florida


Dear Alyssa,
I can understand your concerns, and finding a natural, chemical-free solution to fleas isn't easy. Even some so-called "natural" flea remedies are just as bad for your kitty as a standard flea collar! So you have to be careful what you purchase for your pet. Read labels carefully. Just because an item is made from natural ingredients does not mean it is healthy for your cat. I've seen flea control products that have a warning to keep out of the reach of children! How can something dangerous to children be good for a pet? One ingredient used in many natural flea remedies is derived from citrus peels, which are toxic to cats! And many synthetic flea control chemicals can cause severe reactions in your pet! So, just say no to chemical flea agents!!

So what can you do? Well, there are several steps you can take to keep Osmond flea free, and the most important is housekeeping. The average female flea lays 15 to 20 eggs in a day, and can lay up to 600 eggs in her lifetime! And those eggs can be laid on your furniture, in your carpet, and in your cats bed. For every one flea you might find on your kitty, there could be a dozen or more in other places just waiting to make Osmond's life a misery!

Vacuuming is a huge help in controlling fleas. Put flea powder in the vacuum bag, then vacuum everything; carpet, drapes, cushions, and every nook and cranny you can reach! Then empty the vacuum bag right away to prevent eggs from hatching and re-infesting the house. Seal the bag in plastic and get rid of it! Next, wash your pet's bedding regularly, and put it through a hot dryer. This will also help to kill any existing fleas or eggs. Cedar chips make a great flea repellent when placed inside kitty's bedding.

Bathing Osmond regularly is another important chore. We all know kitties do not like being bathed, but using a mild shampoo will drown fleas that are already on him, and will wash off any eggs that might have been laid on his skin.

Nutrition is a major factor that affects the severity of a kitty's reaction to flea bites. Skin is the first place most animals show signs of poor nutrition, and dry or unhealthy skin will react more harshly to flea bites. Keep in mind that the skin is the largest organ on the body, and you should never put anything on your pet's skin that you wouldn't feed him, since anything placed on the skin will absorb into his system. Even animals that receive the healthiest diet can still need an extra nutritional boost. Try giving your pet Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) at the rate of one milligram per five pounds of body weight on a daily basis. You can also add small amounts of brewer's yeast, about a teaspoon full, to your kitty's food. Anything to aid Osmond's nutrition will help him battle fleas. Talk to your vet about other nutritional supplements.

I hope this helps you keep Osmond flea-free! Thanks for the email!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
Why does my kitty always want to climb on me or get in my face when I'm talking on the phone?
Signed, Bryan
Holdenville, Oklahoma


Dear Bryan,
The main reason your kitty does that is because he has no idea what talking on a phone means! He doesn't know what you're doing; all he knows is you're talking, probably in a happy tone if you're talking with a friend, and he thinks you're talking to him. So he wants to get closer to you to show you he's listening and he likes your voice! Pet him, give him a toy to chase, but enjoy the fact that he wants to be close to you!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

"I love cats because I enjoy my home, and little by little they become its visible soul."
-Jean Cocteau

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!