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Worms are an unpleasant issue for cats and their owners. The problem mostly affects cats that roam outdoors, but indoor cats can also become infected with these parasites. Find out when deworming cats is necessary and how often you should deworm your furry friend in our guide.
As endoparasites, worms live inside a cat’s body. They are “freeloaders” that survive at the expense of their host. Worms feed on the nutrients your cat absorbs from its food. This means your furry friend may no longer have enough nutrients available for themselves.
If a worm infestation goes unnoticed, the parasites will continue to multiply. This can lead to a heavy infestation with serious consequences for your cat’s health. To prevent this, regular worming is essential.
Another important reason for regular worming: a worm infection is not only dangerous for your cat. Humans can become infected too. Children and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from the effects of a worm infestation.
How Does My Cat Get Worms?
There are many ways your cat can become infected with worms. Even indoor cats are not completely protected from the risk. The main sources of infection are:
Eating prey such as mice and birds
Flea infestation: fleas often carry tapeworm eggs. If your cat swallows a flea during grooming, the worm eggs enter their body.
Contact with other cats infected with worms or with their faeces
Shoes: cat owners or their guests can unintentionally bring worm eggs into the home on their shoes.
Eating raw or undercooked meat
Mother’s milk: if the mother cat is infected with worms, they can be passed to her kittens through her milk.
As worms can be passed to kittens through their mother’s milk, they will also need appropriate worming treatment.
How Can I Tell if My Cat Has Worms?
The problem is that, at first, your cat will probably show no signs of a worm infestation. In most cases, you won’t see worms in your cat’s faeces either. Usually, cats only excrete worm eggs, which are invisible to the naked eye. Only in cases of a very heavy infestation will you find whole worms in the stool.
The more the parasites multiply, the more obvious the effects become. At the latest, this is when you should carry out a worming treatment. The following signs may indicate a heavy infestation:
How often you should worm your cat depends very much on their individual lifestyle. If your cat goes outdoors, worming every three months is recommended. Keen hunters may even need monthly treatment.
If you prefer not to worm your cat routinely, there is another option: have your cat’s faeces examined by your vet for worms or worm eggs. A pooled sample collected over three different days is recommended, as worm eggs are not shed continuously. During the examination, the vet will also determine which type of worm is present.
Of course, strictly indoor cats do not need worming quite as often. However, they cannot avoid the occasional treatment altogether. Indoor cats should be wormed routinely about twice a year or have a faecal sample tested.
How Does Worming Treatment for Cats Work?
Worming treatments for cats are highly reliable and available in many forms. Their aim is always to kill all developmental stages of the worms. However, avoid using the same product every time, as worms can develop resistance over time.
Most vets keep a range of treatments in stock: these are available as tablets, pastes and spot-on solutions applied to the back of the neck. The dosage depends on your cat’s body weight.
There are many rumours suggesting that worming treatments are harmful for cats. At the same time, you will often find recommendations for home remedies that supposedly help to worm cats. Frequently mentioned examples include coconut oil or pumpkin seeds.
It’s important to note: common worming treatments are all tested for tolerability. Not every cat reacts equally well to every product, but with the wide range available, you will certainly find the right one for your furry friend.
By contrast, studies have yet to prove the effectiveness of home remedies against worms. Whether they can help with a – potentially serious – worm infestation in your cat therefore remains questionable.
The better alternative: If you want to spare your cat unnecessary chemicals, it is better to have their faeces tested regularly. Worming treatment is then only given if the result is positive.
Can I Prevent My Cat from Getting Worms?
Unfortunately, even the best diet and hygiene cannot fully prevent a worm infestation. Worm eggs can be brought into the home on shoes or clothing, even affecting cats that live exclusively indoors.
In addition, worming treatment only works against the parasites currently inside your cat. For example, if your cat catches and eats an infected mouse the day after being wormed, the cycle starts all over again.
Important Note: The content provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet's health, please always consult a licensed veterinarian.
This article was translated using Artificial Intelligence from the original German zooplus Magazine. While the original content was authored by industry experts and reviewed by our editorial team, this automated translation has not been human-edited and is provided for informational purposes.
Franziska Pantelic, Veterinarian
I am supporting the zooplus magazine for several years with my extensive expertise. I became a licensed veterinarian as early as 2009 and currently operate a mobile small animal practice in the metropolitan area of Munich.
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