D-limonene is a natural citrus extract found in flea shampoos and rinses used for cats. It gets rid of fleas by dissolving their waxy coating; this causes dehydration and ultimately death.
Flea shampoo with this substance will kill 99% of fleas when the shampoo is left on your cat for ten minutes. However, it apparently only kills adult fleas and flea larvae.
Effective flea control requires getting rid of the fleas in all of their life stages. This includes all the adult fleas and flea eggs on your cat, in your cat's sleeping areas, and other locations in your home.
Flea shampoos containing this citrus extract that are registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency are supposed to be mild enough to use on young animals.
However, some cats and kittens are extra sensitive and may suffer if flea control products with this substance are used in an excessive amount. In fact, if you read the reviews on sites like Amazon, some pet "owners" speak highly of products with this citrus product, and other people have had cats and dogs with terrible problems from these products. It's probably best to consult your veterinarian, but even if he or she says it's okay for your cat or dog, you might want to test just a small amount.
As with most flea control treatments, your cat's health may be affected by the possibility of overdose of d-limonene or your cat may experience possible side effects from long-term use.
Toxic signs in cats include:
Consult your trusted veterinarian immediately if these or any other suspicious symptoms occur.
While natural citrus extract is perhaps one of the least toxic flea control substances currently available, remember that more natural flea control products are even safer for your cat.
And, of course, the best thing is to do whatever you can to prevent your kitty from getting attacked by fleas in the first place!