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.
After 6 months of age, all cats (indoors or out) need to be protected from internal and external parasites seasonally or year-round, depending on risk factors and climate. Fecal examinations may miss some types of parasites, so experts* recommend deworming 2-4 times a year.
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.
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. A regular flea and worm treatment regime will keep your cat - and you!
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.
Standard Deworming Protocol
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.
Adult cats: Most cats should be dewormed at least every three months.
What happens when my cat is dewormed? The dewormer that we're giving is killing the worms in there, and it's the adult stage of the worms. Sometimes you can see those adult worms pass in the stool - that's not uncommon - but not all of these worms are visible to the naked eye. Some owners do, and some owners don't.
Cats can get worms after coming in contact with infected feces or parasite eggs. Symptoms of worms in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, swollen belly, and a dull coat. Learn more about the symptoms of worms in cats and how to tell if your cat has worms.
Signs that your cat has worms
"Healthy adults may not have symptoms from worms, which is why your vet tends to recommend periodic fecal testing," McNabb says. But in some cases, your cat may show symptoms of a worm infection including: Vomiting. Diarrhea or soft stool.
Adult cats: Most cats should be wormed at least every three months – that's four times a year, once for each season. Prolific hunting cats: Cats that like to hunt are at much higher risk of getting worms from eating infected rodents like mice. For this reason, your vet is likely to recommend worming monthly.
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.
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.
Bladder worms: Bladder worms are not very common in cats and are rarely detected since they have no clinical signs. Severely infected cats may exhibit signs of urinary tract infections or diseases. Bladder worms are expelled through your cat's urine.
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.
Puppies who are not dewormed may become ill and experience growth retardation. The most common parasites found in puppies are hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and Giardia spp. If your dog is infected, you will probably notice the tapeworm segments in his fur around his back end or in the faeces.
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…
As cats are at risk of reinfection, keeping up with a regular worming routine at least once every three months will help keep your indoor cat healthy and free of intestinal parasites — even if they spend their days indoors, asleep on your sofa.
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.
Roundworms look like spaghetti and can be found in vomit and/or poop. Tapeworms are long, flat, and segmented. Whole tapeworms can be found in poop or sticking out of the rectum. Most commonly, the tapeworm segments break apart and look like pieces of rice stuck on your cat's rear end.
Cats who suffer from stomach worm infections may exhibit signs of gastrointestinal discomfort, including vomiting, loss of appetite, and dark feces. A stomach worm infection is easily treated, but cat owners should still take this condition seriously and bring their cats to a veterinarian right away.
You may notice adult roundworms in your cat's feces or vomit. They will appear white or light brown in color and may be several inches long.
Kittens are commonly born with worms or become infected early in life, especially with roundworms, which can be transmitted through their mother's milk. Kittens should be wormed at two, four, six, eight and twelve weeks of age.