Diatomaceous earth is a common household product used for a variety of purposes, including keeping pests out of the home. Some people believe diatomaceous earth can also be used on cats. So, is diatomaceous earth safe for cats?
Unlike pool-or filter-grade diatomaceous earth, food-grade diatomaceous earth is generally safe for cats. However, it’s important that the cat only consumes it in the recommended dosage (if used orally) and doesn’t breathe it in (if used topically).
Keep reading for details on how to safely use diatomaceous earth for cats.
Before reading the answer to this guide, “Diatomaceous Earth for Cats: Is It Safe,” check out: Are Goldendoodles Good With Cats? (2023) and Can You Be Allergic to Dogs and Not Cats? (2023).
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatoms are small organisms that live in water, and their fossilized remnants create diatomaceous earth (or DE). Silica is the skeleton of a diatom. As time passes, diatoms accumulate in the sediment of a body of water, where they undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen and water to produce silicon dioxide.
These sediments are mined for their silica deposits, which provide a natural barrier against insects like bed bugs, roaches, crickets, fleas, spiders, and ticks. Diatomaceous earth is a white powder that can be purchased at most places that provide supplies for pets and gardens.
The process is as follows: diatomaceous earth releases shards of silica glass that penetrate an insect’s exoskeleton and dehydrate it.
The microscopic glass edges are so minute that anything larger than a bug won’t even come close to being injured by them. Better yet, the diatomaceous earth does not produce toxic byproducts.
Food-Grade vs. Regular Diatomaceous Earth
In order to create standard or pool-grade diatomaceous earth, the material must be subjected to extremely high heat treatment. Crystalline silica forms when silicon dioxide is heated to high enough temperatures.
There are no set criteria for the amount of crystalline silica included in the pool-grade variety, although certain brands have been found to contain as much as seventy percent of it.
Crystalline silica is harmful to both human beings and animals, so this is a crucial point of differentiation. Because of the high concentration of crystalline silica, it poses a serious health risk. This diatomaceous earth is meant only for the purpose of filtration in your swimming pool.
Because it is not heated, food-grade diatomaceous earth is devoid of large quantities of crystalline silica in its composition. Crystalline silica is present in the food-grade variety, however, it makes up less than one percent.
The majority of food-grade silica is amorphous silica, which is completely non-toxic to both people and animals. The pesticide-grade variety is also used in animal feed.
Can I Give My Cat Diatomaceous Earth?
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe for your cat to consume. The other variety is not edible! Diatomaceous earth does not dissolve in water and is therefore not absorbed by the body.
In addition, pregnant or nursing cats should avoid receiving food-grade DE.
Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas
Flea infestations can be avoided and disrupted with moderate success using diatomaceous earth, which has been used as a pesticide for some time. The fine grinding makes it efficient against insects because it can puncture the exoskeletons of certain insects and dry them externally.
The efficiency of diatomaceous earth against beetles was investigated in one particular study. Diatomaceous earth was found to significantly reduce the population of many insects, however, it was less successful in killing older insects.
Another study discovered that its efficacy was highly dependent on factors like bug type, dose, and environmental temperature. However, it was shown to be moderately successful in virtually every case.
The mechanism of action for diatomaceous earth is mechanical rather than chemical. This prevents absorption and eliminates the burden on your pet’s liver during processing.
Diatomaceous Earth for Worms
Cats frequently contract worms. Worm testing is typically inconclusive, further increasing the uncertainty and complexity of treatment.
However, it has been discovered that diatomaceous earth kills several types of internal parasites. The same characteristics that make diatomaceous earth helpful against worms also make it useful for cats.
Diatomaceous earth is abrasive, thus it can hurt or kill insects that aren’t very big. Being enveloped by it causes dehydration due to its high silica concentration. But for diatomaceous earth to reach an internal parasite, your cat would have to ingest it.
Topical Use
Due to their obsessive need for cleanliness, all cats are discouraged from having diatomaceous earth applied directly to their bodies. The treatment for an active flea infestation requires many hours of application and wear time.
People who make regular use of it might apply it three or four times each week at the most. Even if the powder is not used directly on the face, it is possible that the cat will inhale some of it when grooming.
Another issue that may arise from a cat’s grooming habits is the potential for diatomaceous earth ingestion. Although the powder is safe for human consumption, a cat would ingest far more of it than is recommended, which could cause digestive problems.
Those with a history of skin sensitivity or respiratory health difficulties should wear protective gear like a face mask and gloves when handling diatomaceous earth.
Diatomaceous earth, when taken orally, may provide the body with calcium as well as other trace minerals. When minerals are supplemented in excess of what the body needs, this might lead to other nutritional issues as well as disease. Before giving your cat any kind of supplement, you should ask your vet if it’s necessary.
Reach out to your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, or the Pet Poison Helpline if you have any concerns about your cat’s health after using diatomaceous earth, either internally or externally.
Oral Use
It is recommended that the following guidelines be followed while using food-grade diatomaceous earth as a dewormer for intestinal parasites:
- Cats and kittens under 3 kgs (7 lbs): 1/2 tsp
- Cats under 3–6 kgs (7-13 lbs): 1 tsp
- Cats over 6 kgs (approx. 13 lbs): 1.5 tsp
It has been suggested that the same proportions be used when adding diatomaceous earth to the diet.
For effective deworming, it is recommended that it be taken for at least seven days. It is advised that treatment be continued for 30 days in order to catch any maturing adults. The life cycle of intestinal parasites includes not only adult worms but also various life stages that are constantly recurring as they reproduce and grow.
Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth for Cats
Some of the many advantages of diatomaceous earth for cats are as follows:
- Gets rid of fleas, mites, and ticks
- Helps in the elimination of harmful heavy metals
- Helpful for skin conditions
- Helps in settling stomach aches
- Improves liver health
- Increases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients
Risks of Diatomaceous Earth for Cats
Diatomaceous earth in its amorphous or food-grade form is widely acknowledged to be safe for ingestion and skin/coat contact. Due to its purely mechanical mode of action and negligible absorption in the digestive tract, the powder is not poisonous and lacks significant chemical qualities.
However, there are a few things to remember before giving diatomaceous earth to your cat. Breathing in powdered material might cause respiratory issues, and this is the main risk for cats.
In its crystalline or filter-grade form, diatomaceous earth can be extremely harmful to one’s health if inhaled. Breathing in diatomaceous earth can cause inflammation of the nose and nasal cavities, wheezing, and shortness of breath, as reported by the National Pesticide Information Center.
Some evidence suggests that crystalline diatomaceous earth is carcinogenic because it causes lung cancer in animals. As such, you should carefully read the label and find out exactly what is in any diatomaceous earth product before using it in your home or pool.
Crystalline or filter-grade diatomaceous earth poses the greatest threat, although even amorphous or food-grade diatomaceous earth contains trace levels of crystalline silica. The powder should never be breathed in by a pet, so be cautious.
Safely Handling Diatomaceous Earth
Due to its desiccant (a material that absorbs moisture or causes dehydration upon touch) qualities, diatomaceous earth can also irritate the eyes if it comes into contact with them.
Diatomaceous earth should not be used near the face or head unless it is taken orally as a food additive.
Even if used only in the home, diatomaceous earth may not be safe for cats with pre-existing respiratory issues such as feline asthma. Inhaling any kind of particulate matter increases the risk of airway inflammation.
Diatomaceous earth’s desiccant qualities might irritate the skin if applied frequently. Cats with preexisting skin conditions like dryness, sensitivity, inflammation, or itching may have an adverse reaction to diatomaceous earth for cats when treated topically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diatomaceous earth is specifically used for pest control and as a health supplement, depending on the product. Generally speaking, it was not developed for use in a litter box. There’s a risk your cat will inhale it while digging in the litter.
It can take up to a month to deworm a cat with food-grade diatomaceous earth, as you’ll need to target the entire infestation’s lifecycle, including adults and hatching eggs.
Most veterinarians will advise against using diatomaceous earth on cats to control fleas. Cats regularly groom themselves, and that means there’s a risk of inhalation. Diatomaceous earth can kill adult fleas inside your house, but it won’t fully stop the infestation.
Conclusion for “Diatomaceous Earth for Cats: Is It Safe”
In conclusion, it is okay if your cat has come into contact with diatomaceous earth or if you would like to use it on your cat. Although the efficacy of diatomaceous earth is only moderate, it is still worth giving a try with veterinarian approval.
If you find this guide, “Diatomaceous Earth for Cats: Is It Safe,” helpful, check out:
- Can Cats Get Parvo From Dogs? Vet Advice (2023)
- Are Cats Faster Than Dogs? (And The Results Might Surprise You) (2023)
- The 6 Best Cat Breeders in Toronto! (2023)
Learn more by watching “5 Benefits Of Diatomaceous Earth For Dogs and Cats” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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