In a pet-loving world where over 60% of households own at least one pet, animal health and care have never been more crucial. Most are aware of typical dietary don’ts, but few look at the dos.

Like humans, pets require a balanced diet. While your body can tell you what you need, theirs can’t. Like humans, pets often consume items that aren’t good for them. Cats can seem docile and sweet. However, as natural predators, they enjoy hunting and chasing prey. Their behaviour serves as the primary reason to get on a cat wormer.

From infected rodents to pests, cat guts have a worm buildup from multiple sources and require care. Read on to know more.

Why are Cats susceptible to Worm Parasitism?

As inherent predators, cats tend to attack anything small that moves. They also have the propensity to ingest their prey. In this manner, infected rodents and parasite-filled pests become part of a cat’s diet. While the rodent is dead, the parasites and worms inside it infect the cat, and if unchecked, these worms multiply in the gut.

A buildup can result in critical medical emergencies. Veterinarians recommend deworming your cat at least once in three months. Essentially, four times a year, once during each season.

How does Cat Wormers work?

Dewormers consist of chemical compounds that temporarily paralyse the worms, allowing them to pass out during bowel movements. Other components also encourage or fasten bowel movements to ensure that the worms remain in paralysis.

Eggs and larvae are relatively more resistant and may require harsher cat wormers.

Things to keep in mind before Deworming

Side-Effects:

As with any medical procedures or dosages, side effects may be visible. Dewormed cats may regurgitate food, have diarrhoea, produce excessive saliva, and lose appetite. These symptoms usually last a day or two and should resolve without intervention.

Additionally, hair loss may occur at the application site if you use a topical dewormer.

Topical or Oral:

Deworming medications are either topical or oral. If you struggle with choosing a brand or if your cat is hyper allergenic, it is better to consult a veterinarian. Using an oral cat wormer can lower the chances of an allergic reaction or a gastrointestinal upset. Moreover, oral dewormers also have broad-spectrum coverage, promising more for less.

Start Young, Stay Safe:

Roundworm-infected kittens present with severe medical symptoms. Research shows that almost all kittens have roundworm infections, emphasising the need to deworm at a very young age.

Additionally, kittens require deworming every two weeks until they read the age of three months. However, consult your vet and register for a checkup before committing to a course of action.

Regular Deworming:

After the first cat wormer, cats need deworming at regular intervals to ensure that there is no parasite buildup. Many cats throw a tantrum when it comes to medications. If oral, consider having a vet administer pills via a pill syringe. You can mix these wormers into soft cat food as well.

Specific Deworming:

Cats are susceptible to gastrointestinal (GI) infections if there is a prominent parasite buildup. In such situations, medical professionals analyse a litter sample to identify the specific parasite. Worm-specific dewormers are more efficient than broad-spectrum dewormers in such instances.

How can you tell if your cat has worms?

A worm buildup usually doesn’t present severe symptoms. Infected cats typically have increased appetites and small worm segments or rice-looking particles attached to their bottom fur.

Severe symptoms include diarrhoea and bloody stools. In such cases, visit your veterinarian immediately before choosing a deworming plan.