Worming Cats: When, How, and Why to Protect Your Cat
Parasites like worms are an unseen danger to cats that can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Understanding when to worm your cat, the types of worms they can get, and how to treat them is essential for every cat owner.
Worms are parasitic organisms living and reproducing inside your cat, commonly in the intestines, but sometimes in other organs like the lungs or heart. The most frequent are tapeworms and roundworms, both intestinal parasites causing weight loss and digestive upset. It’s important to note that 'ringworm'—despite its name—is not a worm but a fungal skin infection requiring different treatment. You can learn more about ringworm in cats here.
What Types of Worms Affect Cats?
There are several types of worms that can affect your feline friend:
- Roundworms: These live in the intestines and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and a pot-bellied appearance, especially in kittens.
- Tapeworms: Often transmitted by fleas, these worms appear as small, rice-like segments near the cat's rear.
- Lungworm and Heartworm: Less common but potentially serious, these worms affect respiration and heart function.
- Hookworms: Bloodsucking worms that can cause anaemia and skin irritation.
Why Worming Your Cat Matters
Worms feed off the nutrients in your cat’s body, causing a range of health complications: weight loss, lethargy, digestive disturbances, and severe infestations can even be fatal. Kittens are especially vulnerable and can acquire worms from their mother’s milk. Adult cats that hunt or roam outdoors face higher risk due to exposure to infected prey and environments.
Regular worming breaks the parasite life cycle, protecting your cat’s health and reducing the risk of parasite transmission to humans and other pets in your home. It’s an important step in responsible pet ownership and essential for your cat’s wellbeing.
How Do Cats Get Worms?
Cats contract worms mainly through ingestion of worm eggs or larvae present in contaminated soil, faeces, or bodily secretions. Hunting behaviour increases risk, as rats and mice commonly carry worms. Fleas also transmit tapeworms when ingested during grooming.
Recognising Worms in Your Cat
You may sometimes see worms or tapeworm segments in faeces or around your cat’s rear. However, many cats with worms show no visible signs. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss, and lack of appetite may indicate worm infestation. If you suspect worms, a vet check is advisable.
Worming Treatment: What You Should Know
Wormers are anti-parasitic treatments that kill adult worms and larvae inside your cat. They are not vaccines; their effect is limited to worms present at the time of treatment and don’t prevent re-infection.
Common worming products come as oral tablets, spot-on treatments, pastes, or granules. The choice depends on your cat’s age, preferences, and ease of administration. Never use dog wormers on cats, as they can be harmful. Consult your vet to select a product with the right spectrum of activity.
When and How Often to Worm Your Cat
The general recommendation for adult cats in the UK is to worm every three months. This schedule is based on the parasite reproduction cycle; it takes about three months for worms to reach numbers that can harm your cat’s health after reinfection.
If your cat is a frequent hunter or spends much time outdoors, your vet may advise worming more often, sometimes every one to two months. For kittens, the worming schedule is more frequent, starting at three weeks old every two to four weeks until six months due to their high vulnerability.
| Cat Age | Recommended Worming Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kittens (3 weeks to 6 months) | Every 2 to 4 weeks | Prevent early and serious infestation; consult vet for specific schedule |
| Adult cats | Every 3 months (1-2 months if hunting/roaming outdoors) | Tailor schedule based on lifestyle risk |
Where to Buy Worming Products
While wormers can be found in supermarkets, these often lack the effective active ingredients needed for cats and may cause side effects. It’s best to obtain professional wormers like Drontal, Profender, or Milbemax through your vet or reputable online sources requiring a prescription. Some products like Drontal may be available over the counter in pharmacies.
Buying from reputable sources ensures you get properly formulated products that safely and effectively eliminate worms, safeguarding your cat’s health.
Responsible Worming and Pet Care
Regular worming forms just one part of responsible pet ownership. Combine this with flea control, regular veterinary check-ups, and good hygiene practices to keep your cat happy and healthy. Always use worming products according to your veterinary advice and product guidelines to avoid resistance and health risks.
By following a tailored worming schedule and monitoring your cat’s health closely, you help them live a long, comfortable, and healthy life free from the risks posed by parasitic worms.
