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My cat has a small flea problem. Can Dawn dish soap safely help?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Maine Coon | Male | neutered | 8 lbs

We have a small flea problem. Can I use dawn dish soap on my cat to help with proble

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on July 13th, 2018

It may decrease numbers, but won't solve the problem. You'll need an oral or topical preventative for that. A majority of the flea population lives off the pet, only hopping on for a meal. Use a preventative every month for at least 3 consecutive months to break the flea life cycle. Year round use is recommended. You will also need to treat the environment. This includes vacuuming everywhere then disposing of the bag or emptying the canister outdoors immediately after. Wash all bedding in the hottest water allowable by fabric and dry in the dryer. Use a cat safe area treatment afterwards to prevent reinfestation.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 10th, 2018

    Unfortunately fleas only hop on the body of your pet when they want to feed, then they hop off again and stay in your pet's environment. So you need to treat all pets in the household as well as the environment (which contains the fleas, their eggs and larvae). Flea treatment:  1) Get some flea medication such as a Flea spray or a spot on from a pet shop or your veterinarian and apply monthly 2) get flea powder, put some in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum your house and furniture and also non-carpeted areas frequently to remove flea larvae and eggs which live off house dust., Dispose of the bag in the trash outside. Hot-wash all the pet's bedding, If you do this diligently for a few months you will get rid of the fleas. Flea products: Spot-ons and/or chews Advantage, Advantix Advantage Multi (Advocate in the UK) Frontline (ticks as well) Bravecto spot on (ticks as well) - for cats, in tablet form for dogs Simparica, Nexgard Revolution (stronghold in the UK) Tablets: comfortis (will only kill fleas once) Collar: Seresto (ticks as well)

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