There are a few options that you can consider, but be warned: they may not be as effective as going to the vet. Firstly, you can try over-the-counter deworming medication. These drugs work by killing the adult tapeworms in your cat's intestines. However, they won't kill any eggs or larvae that have been left behind.
Another common pathway comes in the form of infected birds, mice or other unfortunate small creatures that your cat captures and eats. You can't really treat worms effectively in your cat at home without help from your vet. However, you can learn what to look for when you're trying to figure out if your cat has worms.
There are several “home” remedies that claim to be effective in treating and preventing worms in cats, including garlic, apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds, carrots, and turmeric. However, attempting to treat your cat with over-the-counter remedies or natural remedies for worms in cats is never recommended.
The best way to treat worms in cats is with deworming medication, to kill both the larvae and adult worms within your cat's intestines. In many cases, dewormers may be given in multiple doses to interrupt the life cycle of the intestinal parasite.
Because worms are parasites that feed on your cat's nutrients and, in some cases their blood, cats can develop a host of health problems, such as anaemia. In severe cases of worm infestations, they can block the intestines, causing very serious health issues. In rare cases, worms can be fatal, especially for kittens.
One of the most effective home remedies for tapeworms in cats is pumpkin seeds. These little seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin, which paralyzes the tapeworms and causes them to release their grip on your cat's intestinal wall. Simply grind up some pumpkin seeds and mix them into your cat's food.
One popular option is to give your cat a deworming medication, such as praziquantel, which can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by your veterinarian. Another option is to use natural remedies, such as pumpkin seeds or garlic, which can help expel tapeworms from your cat's system.
The treatment of choice for protozoal organisms is an oral drug called fenbendazole, also known as panacur, for 7 days. Round worms and hook worms are both treated by a couple of doses of a different liquid, oral dewormer called pyrantel pamoate.
Cats can usually get two types of intestinal worms – tapeworm or roundworm. If left untreated, they can cause your cat problems but are far more dangerous to kittens. This is why it's important to regularly treat your cat for worms (you can read more on this below).
The worms should be gone in two to three weeks after administering the dewormer medication. A second deworming might be needed a few weeks later to eliminate all the worms because the medication affects life cycle stages differently.
Is It Normal for Roundworms to Come Out After Deworming? Yes! It is pretty common to see live and dead roundworms in the stool of your cat (or dog) after deworming. While it is unpleasant, it means that your pets no longer carry roundworms.
The most common intestinal worms cats get are called roundworms and tapeworms. Most infected cats do not show signs of having worms; however, heavy burdens of worms can cause weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea, irritation around the anus and failure to thrive.
There are no home remedies for tapeworms in cats. Prevention, however, is the best course of action. Whether your cat has had tapeworms or you want to avoid your cat getting them, the best way to prevent tapeworms in cats is by giving your cat flea and tick medicine.
The safest and most effective way to deworm your cat is with a deworming medication prescribed by a veterinarian. A Hello Ralphie consult can help you determine which approach is best for your cat. Most deworming medications are administered orally or topically.
A tapeworm body consists of multiple parts, or segments, each with its own reproductive organs. Tapeworm infections are usually diagnosed by finding segments—which appear as small white worms that may look like grains of rice or seeds—on the rear end of your cat, in your cat's feces, or where your cat lives and sleeps.
Deworming medications are very safe medications that rarely have side effects. This is because they are designed to act on the nerve cells off worms, which are extremely different from the nerve cells of cats or dogs. The dewormer kills the parasite without affecting the pet at all.
Infestation depends on the type of worm, but most often, cats get worms by coming into contact with fleas, eggs or infected particles in feces. Fleas are carriers for tapeworm eggs. If a flea jumps onto your cat, they could accidentally ingest the flea by grooming or scratching.
Symptoms may include diarrhoea, tiredness and weakness, abdominal pain and weight loss. Some worms cause anaemia.
First and foremost, a healthy and balanced diet is crucial. Raw pumpkin seeds and carrots can help expel the tapeworms from the digestive system. Additionally, apple cider vinegar mixed into your cat's water can aid in killing off the tapeworm eggs. But be warned, these methods may take time and persistence.
Worms in cats
Finding worms might be an unpleasant experience for you, and worse for your cat if left untreated, causing them unnecessary pain and discomfort. Thankfully, most worm infestations aren't serious and are easily dealt with, reducing the chances of reinfection in the future.
Adult cats: Most cats should be dewormed at least every three months. A typical deworming schedule is four times a year — once for each season.
Are there any side effects from deworming medication? Although side effects of dewormer medications are uncommon, some cats may have vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or increased salivation. These symptoms, if occurred, are usually seen within 24 hours of taking the medication and should spontaneously resolve.
If you have indoor cats with restricted access to wildlife and the outdoors, worming every three months as a precaution will be ideal in most cases, providing that fleas are kept at bay too.