cats loosing hair

Question
My cats (2) have been loosing hair.  We had a flea outbreak recently but I think I have the fleas under controll.  I need advise on flea controll and also what to do about them going bald.  They have recently started scratching.  I hate to use chemicals on them.  Advise would be appreciated.
ken

Answer
Hello Funnel,
Congratulations on having the outbreak of fleas under control!  It can be quite a chore to effectively rid the area of fleas.  For continued, natural control, I can suggest a couple things. For the outdoors, you can try the natural way to rid the yard of fleas via nematodes.  It takes a little longer, of course, but it is effective and safe.  Nematodes are little bugs that are naturally present in your yard. Their sole diet is fleas and like pests. By increasing their numbers significantly, they will take care of the job, and then 'die' off as needed.  
Check at a local privately owned pet shop or grooming shop, and maybe the vet's office.  The nematodes come in a freeze dried state, and then are 'resurrected' when the proper instructions are followed to introduce them into your yard.  For the house, wherever there is carpeting, add some table salt.  Just sprinkle it around and reapply every time you vacuum.  The salt won't harm the fibers of the carpet, is safe for pets and kids, it's cheap and serves to dehydrate flea eggs.  Thouroughly vacuuming EVERYWHERE, especially seams in floors and baseboards.  Sofa's, chairs, etc.  Put a flea collar (herbal or otherwise) in the vacuum bag.  This is the ONLY thing flea collars are good for.  Any incoming fleas will be killed.   There are other natural remedies out there in the form of herbs and flower esscenses and the like.  Again, check at local pet shops or at natural health and remedy pharmacies, or like places, in your area.
As far as the hair loss and scratching, this could possibly be an allergic reaction to the flea bites.  Some animals will exhibit mild to severe reactions to the flea saliva, creating excessive scratching, and resulting in hair loss.  Have you bathed these kitties?  If so, did they start scratching after the bath?  Many times, dogs and cats who are bathed at home can become itchy because they still have soap on them.  Inefficient rinsing is the main cause of this.  If you do bathe them at home, be sure and rinse rinse and rinse some more!  
It may also be helpful to begin them on a higher quality, premium cat food, such as Precise or Natural Balance.  Better nutrition will improve coat and skin conditions.  
Severe flea infestations can drain a significant amount of blood from their host, so be sure and check the cats' gums every now and then.  If they are white or pale, then it usually means that anemia is present and warrants a quick trip to the vet for a check.  
Good luck with your kitties, and hope this has been helpful.
Thank you for your inquiry and your intrest in this site.
Tomay