To protect your cat, common worms can be easily controlled with a routine worming treatment. Kittens need to be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. After six months all cats need to be wormed every three months for effective protection.
In short, yes. All cats should be regularly wormed. Tapeworm-carrying fleas can easily get into our homes, hitching a ride on our clothes and bags, other pets or visitors.
If I don't worm them, what might happen? In extreme cases and depending on the type of worm, there may be awful consequences such as intestinal blockages, blockage of blood flow in the heart, inflammation of arteries, anaemia, and even death if left untreated.
Often cats will show no symptoms at all, but common signs to look out for include: Increased appetite. Overly cleaning or washing the area around its bottom. Small segments of worms or rice-looking grains in the fur around the bottom.
Infected kittens that are not dewormed can also have their growth and development negatively impacted. Healthy adult cats rarely have significant health issues from having worms, but they are at risk enough to say they need to be dewormed.
Indoor Cats
Because fleas can carry worms, your indoor cat should be wormed as well. It's better to be safe than sorry, and both flea and worm treatment is easy and safe, whereas elimination of parasites once they have taken hold can be more complicated.
Adult cats: Most cats should be dewormed at least every three months.
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.
So how do indoor cats get infected with worms? Indoor cats will hunt just about anything in your home. Rodents, insects, and other household pests harbor worm eggs, which are passed on to your cat when he devours them. Mice and the common house fly are just two of the many critters that can carry roundworms eggs.
Should your cat get worms, there are simple and effective solutions. As pets are at risk of reinfection, keeping up with a regular worming protocol, at least every three months, is advisable, and will help to keep them happy and healthy – even if they are asleep on the sofa all day…
This can be done with the help of a veterinarian, or at home with the correct over-the-counter medication and information. Dewormer can be given as young as 2 weeks of age, and should be repeated at 4 and 6 weeks of age.
Both indoor cats and outdoor cats are at risk of contracting worms. 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.
Natural remedies like pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, or diatomaceous earth can be added to your cat's diet or grooming routine to get rid of the infestation. By following these steps, you can keep your feline friend worm-free and healthy without a vet visit.
Worming treatments usually start to work within a few hours and you may see worms or worm segments in your cats poo in the day or two after treatment.
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.
Lethargy – Cats with worms are often lethargic. They may lack energy, or seem to have less interest in things that usually excite them. Dragging themselves along the carpet – This is a strong symptom of cat worms. When cats drag their bottoms along the carpet, it may be because worms are irritating them.
The most common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, and hair loss at the site of application if a topical product is used. If you notice any unusual behaviours in your cat after administering a dewormer, please contact your veterinarian.
Pyrantel pamoate (brand names Nemex®, Nemex 2®) is an anthelmintic (dewormer). It is used to treat intestinal roundworm, hookworm, and stomach worm parasites in many species including dogs, cats, small mammals, and birds.
Cats and kittens over the age of 6 weeks should be given Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer Tablets for Cats in the following dosages according to weight: 4 lbs and under give ½ tablet, 5-11 lbs give 1 tablet, over 11 lbs give 1½ tablets.
The answer is yes. Unfortunately, even cats that never venture outside are still at risk for intestinal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms.
Visible presence: For many cat owners, the first sign will be a visible presence of worms. You may see whole worms, parts of worms or worm eggs in your pet's stool or vomit. Worms or eggs can also sometimes migrate to a cat's anus, getting stuck in the fur.
When segments of the tapeworm break off and pass into the cat's stool, they can be seen crawling on the surface of the feces. Less commonly, segments are seen moving around the cat's anus.