I want to help relieve flea allergy dermitis symptoms in my cat without drugs

Question
QUESTION: Hi Susan,
I need to help relieve my cats itching from flea allergy dermatitis, hopefully without drugs this time. I live in BCS, Mexico in the country. The fleas have been exceptionally bad this year. I've tried everything to keep them at bay, but I went away for a week and came home to one infested cat even though I treated both cats,vacuumed before I left and left the cats inside. I have now washed both cats and linens and vacuumed again, so hopefully I will keep the fleas under control once again.  She is still itching in the meantime, and I can't stand to see her suffering. I've been on the internet only to find some fleaderm medication which I cannot get in Mexico. My main concern is not accidentally poisoning her while trying to help her(which I almost did once when I put lavender on her to keep the fleas at bay). Thank you in advance for any advice you have in this matter.

ANSWER: Dear Sherri,

I sent you to the Critter Oil site because not only will Critter Oil (which we priority mail to Mexico as well since that is where you are), but for the articles on natural flea control which would provide many solutions to your problem and other articles there which provide information on dermatitis. If I have already written articles and even books about the subject, there is much more information that you need than I can write here in order to properly answer your question.

Eliminating fleas and subsequently flea bite dermatitis, takes three things, 1)feeding your cat a very high quality diet that would support a healthy immune system,and include internal things such as the B vitamin Thiamine which boosts flea resistance; 2) treating the environment, indoors and outdoors the natural way which takes about 3 weeks to do a clean out because of the life cycle of the flea, but lasts a long time once accomplished, and 3) using natural products on the cat such as Critter Oil, and/or the nutritional quality of Diatomaceous Earth, to help kill and repel fleas safely without poisons.

Unfortunately, since I don't live in Mexico, It is hard for me to tell you what is available for you there.

It has in the past been my experience that for many animals, once fleas are eliminated, the itching and hair loss doesn't stop because while the skin problems are amplified by fleas, the actual cause is based on nutrition.  Information on this is also available on line in the articles concerning enzymes, nutrition and skin, etc.

If Oil Of Evening Primrose capsules are available in your area at a health food store, you may want to add it to your cats diet as it increases PGL activity which aids in eliminating flea bite dermatitis specificly.

There you go.  More information. Check out the articles.

Sue

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Sue,
I'm sorry if was abrupt but as stated I had been on the internet including your site for . I have found all the information helpful, but as I stated I need to get her itching under control for the next three weeks while I'm getting the flea's under control. I will see if I can get the evening primrose capsules tomorrow. What is a safe dosage for an eight pound cat?

Both my cats were eating Costo food (only thing I could get here), but are now eating Wellness core and I am starting to switch them over to a homemade diet, which has not proved to be as easy as I thought. Both cats have always eaten the same food, but only one of them is having the problem. She also is the one who has more fleas when I comb them at night.This is why I have to agree with the vet that it is flea allergy dermatitis.

Thank you for your help and my neighbor is flying down soon so I maybe ordering the Critter Oil as I'm not a big DE fan do to the harm it can do all the other critters living out here in the desert.

Sincerely,
Sherri Neil

Answer
Hello again :0)
1/2 to 1 capsule of Evening Primrose added to i feeding per day should do the trick.
The wellness Core food is hypoallergenic and should be excellent for both cats. The problem, incidentally, is actually a weaker immune system in the one cat. The dermatitis and the larger number of fleas is the SYMPTOM of the problem! Do you vaccinate your cats? If so, I would highly recommend never doing that again, especially with the problem kitty. Vaccines have horrible long term side effects and are totally unnecessary after the cats immune system matures at about 6 months. I am working on a new book called "Simple Steps to a Healthy Pet" which you may be interested in when it is published (hopefully soon).

Have you thought about using Nematodes on your yard? Call around to nurseries and pet shops, you may find them.

Good luck :0)  Sue