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Natural Birth Control for Cats

| Updated September 26, 2017

Most people who don’t want their pets to reproduce take them to the veterinarian to be fixed. This is a routine procedure, but like any surgery it carries risks. In addition, it can be costly. For this reason, some people may wonder about alternatives.

Wild Carrot Seeds

Wild carrot seeds have been used as a natural form of birth control by women since the 4th or 5th century. Many women have had success using this product without the risks and side effects of traditional birth control. Wild Pantry, a group that sells natural products, began selling wild carrot seed oil as a form of natural birth control for animals.

Dosage

The dosage of wild carrot seeds varies based on the cat’s weight. The FDA does not allow sellers of these products to prescribe a dosage. It may take some trial and error to get the dosage right for your cat.

Effects

Wild carrot seed oil works like any other form of birth control. It is only slightly less effective than other forms. Getting your cat fixed is, of course, 100 percent effective; chemical birth control for cats is 99 percent effective; and wild carrot seeds are 98 percent effective. This effectiveness rating is based on a small informal study conducted on women by Robin Bennett. The small difference in effectiveness may not matter to you if you are certain that you want to use a natural form of birth control for your pet.

Side Effects

Side effects of wild carrot seeds in cats are not known. Women taking wild carrot seeds may experience gas or upset stomach, and it is possible that your cat will experience this as well. Women have also experienced Irregular periods, so your cat may have similar problems. Wild carrot seed oil has fewer side effects than whole seeds. For example, women taking whole seeds experienced vaginal dryness while those taking the oil did not.

Warning

You should talk to your veterinarian before giving your pet any type of supplement. Even though the product is natural, you may not know for sure how it will react with your pet’s current medications or health conditions. If your pet has kidney or liver problems, it is especially important to talk to your veterinarian as wild carrot seeds have been shown to react negatively with these conditions in humans.