Treatment of Cat Worms

Treatment of cat worms is typically done during kittenhood, pregnancy and soon after. Some also recommend that worming be performed every few months for the life of your cat as a preventive measure. There are a number of other cat parasites that you may want to read up on as well.

Since most kittens will get worms, it makes sense to have them treated for it. Even though the recommendation from some sources is to have your adult cat treated every few months for life, this is not always necessary.

It's worth stating here that many cats will not show signs of initial or mild infestation and may appear healthy. This is why it's important to have a fecal sample analyzed every year by your vet. You may not know your cat is sick.

Treatment starts with a visit to your veterinarian and a diagnosis. If your cat is diagnosed with worms, then your vet will recommend a course of treatment, which will include specific medications for specific types of worms. Multiple treatments at certain intervals are normally required. Some medications will treat multiple types of cat worms, but your vet will know which ones work best based on your cat's medical history, type of infestation, and past results with other patients.

Over-the-Counter and Home Remedies

There are some over-the-counter remedies for cat parasites, but most experts will advise that these are not as effective. There are, however, some effective preventive measures for flea control, which is essential for preventing tape worm infestation.

Dr. Al Sears, M.D. (no, he's not a veterinarian) recommends a mixture of peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemon grass oil and thyme oil as a natural flea powder. He says that these "natural oils are harmless to dogs and cats, but they’re deadly to biting pests."

Buying Worming Medication Online

You can save money by buying your worming (and all your pet) medication online. Once you get the recommendations on course of treatment and particular medication, you can purchase that medication online, usually at a much lower cost.

If you keep your cat indoors, the likelihood of her getting a parasite of any kind is dramatically reduced. This is the best prevention. For outdoor cats, however, worming may be a fact of life. You'll have to work with your veterinarian to determine what's best, but I think the fewer chemicals you expose your cat to, the better. As adults, my cats have never taken any preventive medication for cat worms. It's simply not necessary and they have never had parasites, not even fleas.

Other Topics Related to Cat Worms

An overview of the major types of worms in cats and how to identify them

General information on cat parasites

Information on cat hookworm infestations

Information on cat roundworm infestations

Buying pet medication online

70 cat illness warning signs

A guide to cat illness symptoms

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