Cat is lethargic and barely eating or drinking after being treated with Diatomaceous Earth (DE) food

Hello. My cat, Polli, is 7 years old. She is strictly an indoor cat and has attracted fleas.  I did a lot of research online and I have treated the fleas by rubbing food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) into her fur, avoiding the eyes and inhallation. Today, the day after, she is very lethargic and eating very little. I don't think she has drank anything today either. Is she ok?

I don't have any experience with DE, but when a cat shows the symptoms you mention, it may be an emergency.  She should see the vet no later than tomorrow morning.

I don't know if DE can cause an intestinal blockage, but that would be my fear.
 

Cindy Ellison said:

Hello. My cat, Polli, is 7 years old. She is strictly an indoor cat and has attracted fleas.  I did a lot of research online and I have treated the fleas by rubbing food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) into her fur, avoiding the eyes and inhallation. Today, the day after, she is very lethargic and eating very little. I don't think she has drank anything today either. Is she ok?

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One should never apply DE directly on their kitty (no matter what you read on the Internet about it being okay), she has probably ingested too much of it from grooming herself or even inhaling it from her body. Can you bathe her to get if off her?

In my opinion you need to have her seen by a vet ASAP.

Hope this helps a wee bit. I'm not being judgmental--you probably already figured out that it's not a good idea to use on her.