Topical medications are relatively easy to administer. They're usually oil based and applied on the back of the cat's neck. To apply a topical deworming medication, part the cat's fur so the crease of their skin is exposed, then squirt the vial's contents directly onto the skin.
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.
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.
Worming tablets may also be crushed and added to tuna or mixed into a Lick-e-lix yoghurt. The problem with crushing the tablet is that direct tableting is no longer an option if rejected.
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.
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 best methods for worming a cat
If they still turn their nose up at you, try getting their mouth-watering by using a favourite treat like cheese, meat or a bit of tuna. Top tip – Butter is a great taste that cats love, and it will help the tablet slide more easily down their throat.
The easiest way to give your cat a pill is to hide the pill in food. This usually works best if the pill is hidden in a small amount of wet cat food, tuna, or a soft treat that can be molded around the pill (i.e., Pill Pockets™).
Broad-spectrum prescription medications such as Panacur (fenbendazole) and Drontal Plus (pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole) can be used to treat hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections, but they must be carefully administered to your cat according to your veterinarian's instructions.
Worms are not always dangerous, but severe worm infections can damage your cat's intestines, cause weight loss, or even lead to death in kittens. That's why it's important to get regular checks from your vet and take steps to prevent and treat worm infections.
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.
Over-the-counter wormers are fine as part of a routine deworming schedule, but if your cat has been diagnosed with a worm infestation, a prescription-strength dewormer may be more effective. Vomiting and diarrhea are common side effects of deworming treatments, but shouldn't be excessive or prolonged.
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.
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.
Pets can sniff out unusual smells in their food and may reject even favourite treats if they don't smell right. If your pet has foiled your plans in the past, hide the pill or medication in a smelly food, like salmon or a particularly stinky type of soft cheese.
Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
Adult cats: Most cats should be dewormed at least every three months.
The bad news: Intestinal worms in cats are very common. The good news: They're relatively easy to treat, and most cats make a full recovery.
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.
Tapeworms can live up to two years if untreated, but often do not cause great harm to their host. These worms can grow up to 20 inches long, however, they are usually smaller. Tapeworm infestations are fairly common in cats, and veterinary treatment is very effective at eradicating them.
We recommend Bayer Drontal Broad Spectrum Dewormer because it is safe, effective, and eliminates all parasites within seven days. No other cat dewormer kills as many different types of worms as Drontal.
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.