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Diatomaceous earth ?

post #1 of 12
8/21/11 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 
Anyone here mix it in with kitty food ? I've got some and I'd like to give it a try. Have read no bad results anywhere.
Thinking of starting with 1/8 tsp. to start.
Thanks to all who are using it, or know someone who does.
Marty
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post #2 of 12
8/21/11 at 6:18am
If it is the human/food grade it will not hurt your kitty and will assist in killing any internal parasites. I know of one man who does add some to his diet on a regular basis. I wouldn't probably give it to the kitty every day but maybe once a week or bi-weekly.
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post #3 of 12
8/21/11 at 6:44am
Thread Starter 
I tried a half tsp. yesterday and again in the evening. Will try this for a week and maybe double for the next week. I have read of many people who use a heaping tbsp. daily ! Not sure about that. I'm still a little squeamish. I plan to be the guinea pig before feeding to kitty. All the while gathering evidence.
Thanks !
Marty
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post #4 of 12
8/22/11 at 4:49pm
I have some that i got to try to get of some bugs. One thing is that it is very dusty and you have be careful not to breathe it when you're putting it down. That makes me very nervous to have it around, let alone feed it to my kitties. Not that great getting rid of bugs either from what I can see.
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post #5 of 12
8/22/11 at 5:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Misty8723 View Post
I have some that i got to try to get of some bugs. One thing is that it is very dusty and you have be careful not to breathe it when you're putting it down. That makes me very nervous to have it around, let alone feed it to my kitties. Not that great getting rid of bugs either from what I can see.
^ Exactly this.

Its perfectly fine to put in feed (not course enough to hurt the lining thats replaced frequently anyway), but some put it in their carpet and the like to deal with insects and this is a bad idea as the vacuum will kick it up and a micro-abrasive dust is a bad idea to breath in. So just important to use it safely.

For an indoor cat though that doesn't have fleas or a reason to believe they have parasites and the like, I don't see why anyone would feed it.
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post #6 of 12
8/23/11 at 10:42am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input ! I too bought some for the carpet. It seems to help some with the fleas. Maybe more important is just vacuuming, but DE does make a noticeable difference. I put it down when the "gang" is outside and vacuum the next day. Always have the windows open for good ventilation.
Marty
P.S. I think I went a little overboard when I bought 10 pounds of DE !
I didn't realize just how much I'd end up with.
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post #7 of 12
8/23/11 at 9:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ewemule View Post
Thanks for the input ! I too bought some for the carpet. It seems to help some with the fleas. Maybe more important is just vacuuming, but DE does make a noticeable difference. I put it down when the "gang" is outside and vacuum the next day. Always have the windows open for good ventilation.
Marty
P.S. I think I went a little overboard when I bought 10 pounds of DE !
I didn't realize just how much I'd end up with.
OMG - 10 pounds!! It is so light that is a huge amount.

DE is a fine powder so of course when you are putting it down into carpeting you should be careful not to breathe it in. It won't hurt your lungs but can irritate them. I found it made a huge difference for me when I had an ant problem. You will need to brush it down into the fibres of your carpets with a broom and I'd leave it more than one day before vacuuming it up.

Since you have so much, spread the joy of DE with your friends and family.
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post #8 of 12
8/24/11 at 1:48am
LOL about 10 lbs. You have a lot to use there.

I am an avid user of DE, too.

It does have health benefits besides the elimination of internal parasites. (to include helping to prevent kidney stones, urinary infections and also help in reducing inflammation) along with many other health benefits.

I do give mine DE regularly. I mix some with their dry food and wet food.

With the dry, I mix and mix and mix until all of the kibbles are coated with the powder and no longer dusty.
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post #9 of 12
8/26/11 at 3:00pm
I also use DE - for both deworming and to get rid of fleas. When I use it for internal parasites, I mix it with a bit of water, and give it to the cat via syringe. It works very well that way!

I'm one of those people that takes DE daily as well. I typically have 2 tablespoons a day, and yes, I have noticed a differance in how I feel!

It is probably safe to assume that everyone here has had some DE in their lifetime - whether it be from the bread they eat, or in their toothpaste
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post #10 of 12
8/27/11 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
I have one 5 lb. bag unopened and about 4-1/2 pounds of the other one.
I think some are squeamish of the idea. But, I do offer.
Thanks again for the info. !
Marty
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post #11 of 12
8/27/11 at 9:29pm
Where do you get this stuff at? I've wanted to try some but am weary about any place online because I'm not sure whether it's the food grade kind or not. Is there a certain brand?
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post #12 of 12
8/28/11 at 6:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FleshFlowers View Post
Where do you get this stuff at? I've wanted to try some but am weary about any place online because I'm not sure whether it's the food grade kind or not. Is there a certain brand?
You should be able to get it at a nursery (plants) or a farm supply company as many farmers put some in the food for their livestock. If they don't have it ask if they'll order some for you.
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