How often should I worm my cat?

Why worming your cat?

Worming your cat is an essential part of responsible pet ownership, but how often should you worm your cat to keep them away from those unwanted visitors? Intestinal worms can affect your cat’s health and they are more common than you might think in our feline friends. Worms live in the intestines of your cat and therefore you may not see them or know they are there, but left untreated they can causes health issues for your pet. If your cat has a lot of worms, he or she may lose weight, have diarrhoea or vomiting, and a dull coat, all of which can become serious. These worms can potentially cause issues for humans too so regular deworming is very important. How you should worm your cat depends on a variety of factors, so read on to find out more. 

How often should I worm my cat?  

According to research and veterinary experts, the majority of adult cats in the UK should be de-wormed every month due to their lifestyle*. Cats that like to go outside and those that hunt regularly are at particular risk of picking up these intestinal parasites, which can be caught from rodents and birds, as well as the environment. Fleas can also be a source of worm infections as cats ingest them when grooming - even with a good flea control program, cats can pick up fleas for short time from outside the home. There are two main types of worms that commonly infect cats, roundworms and tapeworms, and both of these can be controlled through a regular worming plan, which should be monthly for most UK cats. Wormers for your cat work by paralysing and killing the intestinal worms and therefore regular treatment will kill any parasites picked up since your cat was last wormed.  

What are the benefits to de-worming your cat regularly?  

Cat worming products kill the worms your cat picks up, but it is possible for them to start picking up new infections within days. Worming your pet on a regular basis is the best way to keep these pests in check. Of the two types of worms that infect cats, tapeworms can be transmitted by the cat eating infected fleas. Sometimes cats will groom and ingest fleas that have been picked up outside of the house and not been on them very long, as well as from your cat eating birds and rodents, and therefore regular flea treatments should also be carried out. By following a regular de-worming plan you can ensure both your cat and the people in your household are kept safely worm-free. Check how often you should worm your cat.

What type of wormer should I use for my cat? 

Treating your cat for worms can be easier than you think. Dronspot comes in a spot-on formula that when applied to the back of the neck will kill all common intestinal worms found in UK cats. It's a great alternative to tablets and is available in a range of sizes depending on your cat’s weight. It is essential to determine the weight of your cat to give him or her the correct dose of worming product.  

Can I give too much wormer?  

The answer to the question ‘Can you give a cat too much wormer?’ is yes. Worming products for cats are generally very safe in appropriate quantities, but given in too high a dose they may have serious consequences. You must know the weight of your cat to determine what dose is appropriate. Never give a cat a dog only worming product or one meant for another species. If in doubt, your vet or retailer will be able to advice on the appropriate wormer and the dosage based on your cat’s weight. 

Is it necessary to worm an indoor cat?  

Yes, indoor cats should be wormed too. Even if your cat does not go outside or is not a hunter, they can still pick up worms. This can be via other pets in the household, worm eggs being carried in on people’s shoes and from the most common route of worm infection in indoor cats, ingesting fleas while grooming. If these fleas contain tapeworm eggs these then hatch in your cat’s intestines, infecting your pet with tapeworms. 

A note on worming your kitten or pregnant cat…  

It is advisable to deworm adult cats on a monthly basis, but you should seek the advice of your vet or retailer if you have a kitten or your cat is pregnant as a different worming regime will be required. 

REFERENCE

*Survey of UK pet owners quantifying internal parasite infection risk and deworming recommendation implications. Pennelegion et al. Parasites Vectors 13, 218 (2020).