When spring comes back around after a few cold winter months, for some households it invariably brings a flea problem nestled cunningly on your pet’s back or legs. An effective agent for killing off fleas and their larvae is boric acid: a mild pesticide that will eradicate any of the beasts by forcing them into severe dehydration, thus removing your problem
Can I Use It In My House?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. Boric acid is a readily-available and much used commercial product. Simply spread the acid mixture onto the target areas then vacuum [1] it all up when you’re done and it will cause no harm to you, your family or your pet. However you must take care not to use this substance in any location to which your cat has access.
What If My Cat Is Exposed?
As they are intelligent animals, cats will tend not to lick or consume boric acid. However, if your cat passes through an acid-laden area, it could catch some of it on its fur or paws[2]. Later, your cat will be idly cleaning itself and in doing so will ingest the poison. Surface exposure can cause itching and swelling, whereas ingestion can lead to very serious medical conditions such as seizures, ulcers and death. Do not let your cat anywhere near boric acid.
For very small ingested doses, your cat’s symptoms will often pass through excretion as the body is purged of poison. With kittens and ageing cats, you can expect the symptoms to be more severe and more enduring. If you have used boric acid and notice a loss of appetite or diarrhoea in your cat, then you should seek the advice of a veterinarian immediately.
Are There Treatments Available?
Unfortunately, the only remedy for boric acid poisoning is usually to let it runs its course. The cat will eventually pass the acid and will often return to its usual healthy state. Your first step should always be to consult your vet and then heed their advice. The best cure for boric acid poisoning is to prevent your cat from contacting it in the first place.
Should I Use It?
If you have a serious flea problem, then yes. Boric acid remains one of the most popular and effective methods of eradicating household fleas for good reason: it works. Just remember that it’s your job to keep your cat well away from the toxic agent as long as it’s being used. A popular choice for household boric acid is Zap-A-Roach by PestGuard which is known for being very simple to use.
Sources
[1] https://www.vetinfo.com/cat-flea-treatment-boric-acid.html
[2] https://pets.thenest.com/boric-acid-safe-around-cats-6976.html
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