The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by lgllyblonde (Hillsboro, OR) on 04/14/2026 ★★★★★
Hello, I feed a colony of about 25 feral cats. I have a wonderful community that supports me with donations. I am always looking for natural treatments to help improve the life of these cats. I have read a lot about DE as a dewormer and natural flea and tick treatment. I would like to add it to their wet food I give them every other day. When I feed them, there's no such thing as individual dishes of food. When I took over feeding them, I just put down a 22 lb bag of dry food and cut the whole front of the bag away. They can basically come eat when they want. When I take wet food out, I open 20 cans of wet food into a tub, then I spoon this onto the dry food for them. I usually spread their dry food between a few places at this time so they call all feed. If I added 1/2 a tsp for every serving of wet food and mix it in well, do you think it would be safe for these cats? They do live in a barn on a farm, although the owner would prefer they weren't there. I feed and water them and I do have an area where I have some cat beds with blankets for them. I know that straw is better than blankets but the owner doesn't want the straw in the area the cats sleep in. It's a tough situation, I can only do so much for them without the owner of the property objecting. So I look for small things I can do that will make a difference in their lives. DE sounds like it could improve their health, take care of fleas, and help their coats. Could anyone help me out with their thoughts on this?
I think that mixing 1 TSP of D.E. with each can of wet food is a stellar idea! They won't notice it and parasites will die before they can make any of them sick too.
I care for 5 feral cats. One has respiratory issues. I put Apple Cider Vinegar in their food daily. Only a cap full. Is that enough? Can I continue with this daily to keep healthy kitties I cannot touch?
Hi CJ. I was just at the vet yesterday and my cat has a sensitive stomach. She suggested Purina Pro plan canned food to try for a while. He has been on Friskies for the last year and is getting tired of it anyway. Hills is always recommended by vets as they can sell it make money on it. I read long ago it's terrible food.
I have a feral cat that comes by my place to eat now & then and am noticing that he has mange on his front legs & shoulders. I have been reading about putting Apple Cider Vinegar in his water or food and will give that a try, but bathing him is out of the question. He does not like to be approched or touched so I will not be able to bathe him or brush him. If anyone has any further ideas on how to help this kitty get better, I would appreciate it. Thank you and what a great site with so much input!!!
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Perhaps they can assist with trapping this kitty, ensuring he is neutered, and given any medical treatment that he needs prior to being released.
The first thing that came to mind when I read your post was to dose the kitty with Ivomec - a bottle of 1% inject able labeled for cattle runs under $40.00 at the farm supply store and when diluted out gives you a lifetime supply; I have used it in the past and donated what I did not use to rescue. You would have to dilute it and put it into wet food to hide the bad taste.
Posted by Shelley (Sun Valley, Nevada) on 08/08/2024 10 posts ★★★★★
I have a solution to assist the Feral Cat in becoming domesticated. Use raw hamburger balls to notice the cat inside. He will hide, and can take up to 3 weeks or so to to domesticate, term used loosely. You can add Echinacea and golden Seal tincture to his water once daily. 1 tsp daily for ten days, then off for 3 days. Repeat as many times as necessary. Mange is caused usually by a mite which depletes immunity. ACV or DE food grade will clear up the mite infestation, ACV will kill fungal, and bacterial infections.
Posted by Donna (Chas, Sc Usa) on 04/27/2011 ★★★★★
I maintain 3 colonies of feral cats. Some of the cats have turned a bit friendly and allow me to pet them. Two days ago, I noticed that two of them had problems with their faces - almost raw flesh exposed and red bumps everywhere. Even the nose up to the nostrils were exposed flesh. I realized it was a bad case of mites, as the two cats were always nuzzling each other. I figured that the raw flesh was due to them scratching from the mites.
I left the scene and went home and opened a fresh can (I use a Non GMO brand from sugar beets grown in Europe, as pretty much all un-organic sugar beets in USA are GMO) and went back to the cat colony and sprinkled it generously on their wet and dry food. The next day when I returned, the two kitties faces were almost completely normal - with only a tiny scab here and there. I was absolutely thrilled and amazed. I am now going to use it regularly as I think it will help them with their fleas. I remember years ago, one of my uncles said it cured him from "itchy butt"(anus) so I thought I would try it for the kitties mites, and it worked.
Posted by Sunny April (Sante Fe, Nm) on 08/27/2012
To: Donna from Chas. NC USA Hi Donna, could I ask where you purchased the brewer's yeast that is a non gmo brand made from sugar beets grown in Europe? I have a little dog and I think she may have mites as her nose sounds like what your cats had. I'd like to try the yeast on her food and she if it clears up her nose. Thanks, and God bless you and I'm so glad your kitties are well.
You said you opened a can of...something made from beets...looking for a ear mite cure in kittens..what was the can of stuff you opened and put on their food?
EC: Yes, post is confusing. It's Brewer's Yeast made from sugar beets!
Brewer's yeast is not the same as the yeast used in baking, go to your health food store and ask for Brewer's yeast, probably in the Vitamin/Supplement section.
Tea tree oil is very toxic to cats, especially is they orally ingest it; considering how much grooming they do, Tea Tree Oil is not a good remedy for cats. Vets "say" that if it is used, the concentration should NOT be above 0.1% concentration. Again, since cats are known for their grooming behavior, I would stay away from it.
Hi, I moved to the Philippines this year and have become father to a number of feral cats. The kittens are mostly tame now, but the feral parents are not, even though they love to be fed.
I have a question about the ears of one old male cat. Since I came in February of this year, he has been hanging around and eating fine. When I first saw him, his ears were bloody, as if in a bad fight. Well, it is 6 months later and at least one ear is half missing and a bloody stub. What can it be?
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Ma.usa) on 04/08/2011 ★★★★★
Alex, from Cebu; The older cat with no ear may have had a fight over food etc. Or it could be frost bite, if it gets very cold there(?) is there any way you can make a small shelter for them? maybe wood boxes?a few tarps to cover the boxes or a make shift tent? just to keep them in out of the freezing cold and/or heat, some grass or mainly hay where it will keep them warm. When you feed the older cats just ignore them and eventually they will come to you, if you show them affection too soon they will run away, then all is lost. I guess they sot you out for a godly reason, it means you have a great heart, these are animals that once had homes and lost trust in their owners because of abandoment issues. If you can try to feed them rich foods if not give them whatever you can, then of course you will have these kitties for life as a friend(s). Good luck and I hope you keep us informed(?) god bless you
Posted by Corinne (Summerfield, Florida, Usa) on 09/04/2011 ★★★★★
The problem could be related to flies and gnats. If attracted to a sore spot on the ear, they will continue biting and feeding on the area, making it bloody. Eventually this can result in the loss of the tip of the ear. If you can treat the animal with a fly/flea repellent, like pyrethrin, it will help. You can also use plain vaseline to protect the area and some medicated powder like Gold Bond. (Using the cheaper generic brands is fine. ) Remember not to use citronella products on cats.
Posted by Jujucats (North East, Pa Usa) on 09/10/2011
Diamond, he's from the Philippines--I'm sure frostbite is not the issue here. Also, feral cats exist without having once had a home--your assertion that they have abandonment issues may or may not be true-sadly, some cats are born feral and remain that way. Socializing the kittens from a very early age is a great idea and very effective; however, the adult ferals are just that: feral, wild. It's wonderful that you are feeding them-if you had a humane trap you could take them to a clinic to at least have them altered before returning them to the wild-as for the ears, he was in a fight the first time you saw a bloody ear and when he returned with part of his ear(s) missing and a bloody stub, it simply means he was in a fight again. It happens. The best you can do is continue to feed them, like I said-trap them if you can (go online to find trap-neuter-release programs, they often have traps available or can show you how to make one yourself)get them fixed and just enjoy their presence when they decide to bestow it upon you. Oh, and love their offspring. You have a good heart-thanks from one cat lover to another!
Getting the kittens neutered would be the thing to do if u can & the female adult cats. R there any organizations in the Phillipines that help with that?
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Usa) on 11/01/2011 ★★★★★
jujucat; Thank you for your imput. I do know about wild/feral cats, I have volunteered for rescue animals for many years, animals do have their own identities/personalities, therefore they do have psychological issues with humans. I don't feel that cats were once known to have never having a home(?) maybe some kittens were not but the mother's & male cats did, and as my mother taught me, so did the mother cat to their kittens of what a home was and what it meant in trusting our human friends. When a human gets a close caption of any animal only to find they are almost as human as we are, the only thing is they cannot do as we can and thats speak. Animal's integrity goes way beyond any one's understanding, maybe too far fetched to understand.
I found and raised many a stray and feral cat colony, I found that what most of society thinks feral means vicious, rabid and/or diseased. That maybe the case with most but I took my chances and did my very best at saving these animals and giving them another chance in re-trusting humans, and that they did. The bright eyes and the expressions on these animals faces were worth a thousand words and much more. The sad stories and the happy stories are too great to share with those that have never been there to see the changes and the differences made in their lives. Life was rewarding for these pets as well as for me.Thanks....
Posted by Tia (Eugene, Oregon) on 08/09/2008 ★★★★★
A long time ago, my parents stumbled across the medicinal properties of Goldenseal. Last year, during the rainy Oregon winter, a 1/2 feral litter of kittens started trying to find shelter on my porch. Not long after they started coming around, the mother left them (went into heat i assume) and came back with a hellish upper respiratory infection. She proceeded to spread it to the whole litter. I had no money to take them to a vet, and they were dying of it. I wasn't sure if the Goldenseal would be poisonous to them, but I figured they were so bad off, it was worth a try. I used the liquid extract, started small, maybe one dropperfull to two cans of wet food, and eventually raised it to 3 droppersfull (between 1 adult and 5 3-4 month old kittens). They improved from even the smaller amounts, and improved drastically from higher dosages. Although for those that couldn't smell the wet food, i had to mix a few drops in canned salmon or tuna juice to get them to eat it. It didn't harm them. I swear by the stuff now, and have used it on my own indoor cats (though I've never gotten them to take it without forcing them.) Everyone should be aware that goldenseal doesn't just work on humans.
Yes, I also have used it for both cats for respiratory virus. However, it should used with caution...each cat is different in terms of levels of sensitivity. I used it successfully on my Domestic Short hair (saved his life). However, my Ragdoll female developed Clostridium Dificile. Which means the Goldenseal killed too much of the good bacteria, in the intestine. That resulted in a permanent condition manifested as episodes of bloody stools because the bad bacteria overtook, and attacked the intestinal lining. There is no cure and the only treatment is Flagyl, which in turn causes food allergies to grains and carbohydrates.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I am sorry to hear of the Clostridium Dificile in your girl. I wonder if humic acid would help to restore the balance in your rag doll's intestines. Check out Ted's postings under Crohn's disease.
Not getting whole story here, but I understand CD can be treated and is short term. Goldenseal is an anti-microbial, and effectively clears up bacterial and viral infections in humans and animals. I have never heard of a problem where it destroys healthy flora. And I've used G for decades, personally, for family members, children and animals; for viral and bacterial infections (including severe flu). I have spent thousands of dollars on two cats, where ultimately the vet still didn't know what the sickness or infection was; to finally go home and treat my sick cats myself; very happily and successfully with Goldenseal, and when called for, including Echinacea (for treating allergy, and immune related conditions). Both cats had nearly died before treatment. I have found a safe and effective dosage for cats is 3 drops of G diluted in about a teaspoon or less of water, given orally though a syringe (8-10 cc) . Only administer small squirts (about 2 cc) at a time in corner of mouth. Give the cat time to handle between each. (Best to wrap your cat in a big towel, snug (not too tight) around neck) administer twice a day. You'll see improvement every day. Depending on severity of infection, should take one to two weeks to clear up. A recent story: One of my cats was suspected for an immunity deficiency. Vet suggested more testing to confirm. That would have cost $1000 and counting. She had been diagnosed anorexic after blood test etc that showed nothing. A 9 month old cat, she was down from 10-1/2 to 5 pounds. I force fed her for two months. Finally, I started administering G twice a day. One week later she was eating on her own. She is now bright eyed, agile, playful, completely healthy, and weighs 10-11 pounds.
My Schnauzer had an eye infection of some kind. Pus/gunk in his eye. Combined black tea bag/chamomile tea bag and one capsule of Golden Seal into a cup of hot water. Strained it and added a touch of salt. Day two and gunk was gone. Thank you so much. Side note: He loved the smell, I mean he wanted some of that brew. I let him have a little sip of it and he is crazy for it?
What did not work, colloidal silver. 3x a day. Did absolutely nothing.
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