Worming cats

Worms in cats can cause health problems for our cats and, in some cases, can be passed to humans too. However as we can't see worms living inside our cats, it can be easy to become complacent about worming: why treat if the cat seems to be perfectly fine?

The answer is simple: these worms can live off your cat for weeks or months without your cat showing noticeable symptoms yet during that time they can be doing lasting damage to your cat’s respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive system as well as other internal organs. They can even prove fatal in severe infestations in vulnerable cats.

What are the symptoms of worms in cats?

Kittens tend to be more likely to show symptoms than adult cats, but most cats don’t show any symptoms in the early stages of a worm infestation. However, there are certain signs your cat may be showing that can indicate they have worms, including:

Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Poor coat condition / dull fur

How do you treat the different types of worms in cats?

There are many different types of intestinal parasites that can affect cats and which need to be considered for an effective worming routine, but the most common in the UK are:

Roundworms: Growing up to four inches long, these worms swim freely in the gut stealing food from your cat. All cats can get them at some point in their lives if not sufficiently protected but kittens will usually become infected via their mother’s milk. Regular worming is the best way to avoid an infestation and while most wormers are effective against this parasite, it’s always best to double-check the label.
Tapeworms: Tapeworm eggs are sometimes passed in your cat’s stool and can appear like grains of rice. They normally live in the small intestines where they attach and feed off your cat’s precious nutrients. Some wormers will target tapeworms, alongside roundworms, but you should always check the label.

Other worms that are less common in the UK are lungworm, hookworms and heartworm.

Fortunately, worming treatments are available to treat current infections - but they can't deliver long term protection. Speak with your vet to see which wormer they would recommend and can prescribe. Key criteria you may wish to discuss include:

Ease of administering the dose
Wormers come in various forms - ask your vet for advice about products that could make worming your cat less stressful and most suited to you and your cat's lifestyle.
The parasites a given treatment covers
For the best level of protection, your vet will probably recommend one that they need to prescribe – these prescription only products tend to cover the broadest range of parasites.
Need for isolation period
Some spot on wormers (and flea treatments) state that you need to keep your cat away from other pets or family members immediately after giving the dose to prevent the liquid contacting humans and causing problems. This includes sleeping on beds.

Bathing restrictions
It's unlikely that you'll bathe your cat but some products have instructions with restrictions on when you can bath your pet. These MUST be followed to prevent product washing off leaving your cat unprotected and potential contamination of the environment.
Minimum ages for kittens
Some wormers are suitable for kittens from 6 weeks. Talk to your vet about the most appropriate wormer and always dose your cat correctly for their age and weight.
Suitability for your cat
It is important that breeding or lactating queens are treated as they are one of the most high risk groups for Toxocara. Not all products are licensed for these cats so always discuss with your vet first.

How often should you worm your cat?

As worming treatments deal with current infections but can't offer long term protection, you'll need to consider their stage of life and behaviours when considering which worming treatment to use and how often:

Adult cats: if your cat is an outdoor cat (and especially if they’re a hunter) they may pick up worms by eating rodents and birds, so may need monthly worming. If they're an indoor cat, they still need to be wormed but their risk of infection will be less than if they're a hunting cat. Speak with your vet for advice on which wormer will suit your cat best and how often it should be used. As cats are at risk of reinfection, it's important to keep to a regular worming routine.
Kittens: Roundworms are very common in kittens and they often become infected when they suckle milk from their mother. That is why kittens can have a roundworm infection, even if they’ve never set foot outside the house. Kittens should have their first treatment at 3 weeks, and lactating queens should also be treated to avoid passing any eggs back. Your vet will recommend a worming schedule that is right for your kitten.

As well as regularly worming your cat, you can reduce the risk of worm infections by cleaning out litter trays regularly or picking up and disposing of their faeces responsibly; discouraging scavenging or hunting and avoiding feeding unprocessed raw food.

Don’t forget about fleas. They often carry tapeworm larvae, which can be passed on to your cat or kitten. You should use a preventative flea treatment every month.